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Sheila Stewart: Storyteller from the Travelling People
18 th October 2003 Perth Library
Sheila Stewart, of the ‘Stewarts of Blairgowrie’ offered a rare opportunity to share an insight into the lives and traditions of Scotland’s travelling people. Their culture is ancient, an oral culture, and Sheila is a ‘tradition bearer’; in fact she is the sole carrier of the family ballads and stories. She likes to call herself a ‘culturist’ rather than a ballad singer or storyteller.
When she was three she was singled out by various members of the extended family who recognised her gift for singing. While brothers, sisters and cousins were out playing Sheila’s apprenticeship meant she sat on her uncle’s knee and began to learn the great ballads he knew. From her mother, Belle, she learned more ballads and from her father Alex she learned stories and the ‘cantarach’ – a form of mouth music, which was the only way to teach the bagpipes to pupils who could not read music.
The travellers were respected and welcomed in pre-war Scotland for their skills were required by farmers who laid aside camp sites to which the same families returned year after year. Sadly, Government policy in the post war years sought to ‘settle’ travellers and many, especially the children, were discriminated against and life was hard.
With the revival in Scottish folk music and Scottish folklore came the realization the Travellers had kept their heritage alive and people such as Hamish Henderson began to collect and archive a wonderful and unique ‘culture’ that is a vital part of Scotland.
So what has all this to do with children’s writers? Maybe more that you might imagine! Sheila spoke about “ the feeling – the ‘corryach’ behind what you do” and the importance of finding your soul. When you know where your soul is and you can visualise it you ‘mix it with your spirit and throw it into your voice/words’
Sheila runs two-day workshops on this subject and people travel from as far away as America to take part.
We were indeed lucky for she left us enthralled, invigorated and inspired.
Judy Paterson