Death announced of legendary Doric broadcaster and compere Robbie Shepherd
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The death has been annoucned of renowned north-east broadcaster, writer and master of Doric Robbie Shepherd at the age of 87.
One of the best-known voices in the north-east and synonymous with BBC Scotland's Take the Floor, Mr Shepherd died last night.
Alongside his many appearances on both television and radio for many years he held a long association with local events as an announcer including Oldmeldrum Sports and Turriff Show.
As well as presenting Take the Floor for 35 years up to 2016, he also presented some episodes of The Beechgrove Garden and sheepdog trials programmes radio.
He wrote several books including Let’s Have a Ceilidh: Essential Guide to Scottish Dancing, which was published in 1992.
A life member of the Braemar Royal Highland Society, he was a commentator at many of the events on Grampian’s Highland Games circuit and at many agricultural shows where he paired up with long-time friend and fellow compere Robert Lovie.
Several honours were presented to Mr Shepherd for his work from Scottish Music and Scottish Country Dance organisations and in 2001 he was honoured with an MBE for services to Scottish Dance Music and to Scottish Culture and the University of Aberdeen also awarded him an honorary degree, as Master of the University.
Acclaimed fiddler Paul Anderson said: " I was upset to hear about the passing of Broadcaster, Robbie Shepherd.
"Thought this clip showed the affection the folk of the north-east of Scotland had for the man who was the "voice of Scotland" for over 30 years. Rest in Peace Robbie."
Close friend and fellow broadcaster and compere Robert Lovie said: “So many hearts will be sad and down to hear the news of Robbie’s passing
“His loving family, hundreds of friends and colleagues and his thousands of fans around the country who loved and adored his character, his voice, his coothie charm and encyclopedic knowledge of Scottish music, song culture and of course his beloved Doric language.
“For decades we have known Robbie as the voice of the north-east, he was the brilliant anchor of Scottish music on the BBC for four decades, an entertainer, writer, compere and brilliant commentator at dozens of highland games across the north of Scotland.
“Yet he was always the first to say ‘I’m jist a loon fae Dunecht.’
Flying Pigs member chair of Aberdeen Performing Arts, Craig Pike said: "I will always have the happiest of memories of the one and only Robbie Shepherd.
"He was a huge influence in my life from a very early age, when I used to listen to Mum's LP's from when she played with Jack Sinclair's Band and Robbie sang as a solo performer. He sang so many great old songs, including those by Harry Gordon. Robbie introduced me to this superb material and I'm happy to say I still perform some of those songs which I first heard sung by Robbie.
"As a master of the Doric, I admired him greatly and his knowledge of Scottish music and entertainment could not be surpassed. If you ever needed the words or music for an old Scottish song, one phone-call to Robbie and Esma would be returned with a photocopy of the song duly delivered through your letterbox within 24 hours. He was a huge supporter of the likes of Student Show, having helped out at various points, most recently as 'our' version of The Pope during the ending of Student Show's parody of Sister Act - 'Sister Echt'.
"Most notably for me though, my Flying Pig chums allowed me to play Robbie live on stage for 25 years as the writing team came up with more and more outrageous sketches where Robbie was a central character. Two favourites, among many, were Robbie Shepherd 007 as well as Robbie appearing in a parody of Stars In Your Eyes. Robbie absolutely loved seeing 'himself' in our shows and took it all with the best of good grace and above all in the very best of fun. He never took it seriously and hid a richt guid laugh.
"He was truly a great and lovely man who will be sorely missed, there's no doubt. But he will be so very happily remembered by many, many people.
"Robbie, thank you - Jiggery Pokery Aye."
Award winning north-east singer Iona Fyfe said: “Flee low and ye hinna far tae faa”
"I am heartbroken at the death of legend Robbie Shepherd.
"He was so encouraging and supportive of traditional music; and supportive towards me doing poetry since the early 2000s and in 2017, I was honoured to make a speech dedicated to him at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland when they made him Dr Robbie Shepherd MBE."
Gary Innes, who took over Take the Floor – the BBC Radio Scotland programme started by Mr Shepherd – described him as “one of the very best”.
