Robert Tannahill 250th Anniversary Tribute Lecture

2024 marks the 250th anniversary of the poet and song-writer, Robert Tannahill. Professor Fred Freeman celebrates his life with an illustrated lecture featuring several songs from his 5-volume Songs of Robert Tannahill CD series, which was released to a standing ovation at Celtic Connections on 1st February 2024.

The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.

Professor of Scots Language and Scots Song at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Fred Freeman is a graduate of Aberdeen and Edinburgh universities (PhD). He has taught Scottish literature at the School of Scottish Studies and in the English Department of Edinburgh; held postdoctoral posts (several times over) at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, the School of Scottish Studies, and the English Department, University of Edinburgh. He had a postdoctoral appointment at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford for two years in the late 1980s, concentrating on ethnic minority writers in Scotland.

He is author of a book on the 18th-century Edinburgh poet, Robert Fergusson (EUP 1984); a children’s book on the Paisley poet, Robert Tannahill (2009); two editions of the poems of Mary Symon (2019-2020); has published over 100 articles on Scottish literature, folk music and history. In 2015, Harold Bloom included a chapter of Freeman’s in his Modern Critical Views: Robert Burns. Freeman was recognised by the ASLS in 2014 with a lifetime Hon Fellowship for his contribution to Scottish literary studies; and, in recent years, has delivered lectures on Burns and on Hamish Henderson to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (available online).

Over the past decade he has drawn upon his extensive musical background, producing over 49 internationally acclaimed CDs – amongst them: “The Complete Songs of Robert Burns” (13 CDs, 12 vols, Linn Records 1996-2003); (for Scottish Borders Region) “Borders Fiddles”, “Borders Sangsters”, “Borders Boxes”, “Borders Pipes”; “Borders Young Pipers” (1999-2012); “A’the Bairns O’ Adam – A Tribute To Hamish Henderson” (Greentrax 2004); “A’ Adam's Bairns” National Library of Scotland, 2008); numerous solo CDs – “Yont The Tay” (Jim Reid) which won BBC’s ‘Best Singer of the Year 2005’; “The Complete Songs of Robert Tannahill” – Vols I, II, III, IV and V. Recently, ‘Ballad Of The Banffies’ – A Second Tribute To Hamish Henderson (Greentrax Recordings).

This is a free event, which means we overbook to allow for no-shows and to avoid empty seats. While we generally do not have to turn people away, this does mean we cannot guarantee everyone a place. Admission is on a first come, first served basis.

Accessibility:

This event will take place in the Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JU. https://www.accessable.co.uk/the-university-of-edinburgh/central-area/access-guides/george-square-50

The Project Room is on the first floor, and is accessible via lift. If you have mobility issues and would like to discuss access, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.

Host or Publisher Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH)