Sheila Stewart

Sheila Stewart (7 July 1937 – 9 December 2014) was a Scottish traditional singer, storyteller, and author. She inherited a large number of traditional songs from older family members, including her mother Belle Stewart.

Biography Born in a former stable of a Blairgowrie hotel to Belle Stewart, a Traveller singer and poet, and Alex, a bagpiper, Stewart was chosen as a child by her uncle to carry on her family's stories and songs. Performing at family cèilidhs for ten-shilling notes led to more public performances in village halls, On 1 June 1982, she was chosen to represent the travelling people during Pope John Paul II's visit to Scotland. She sang Ewan MacColl's "Moving On Song". recorded by Doc Rowe at her home in 1999; additionally, his recordings of Sheila's storytelling was issued as '… And Time Goes On ... Songs and Stories: Sheila Stewart''' on Offspring Records.

Stewart died on 9 December 2014, in Dundee, at the age of 77. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ian McGregor who died in 1977. Sheila and Ian had four children. The Twa Brithers, The Twa Sisters, Young Beichan, Dowie Dens o Yarrow.

Discography and film The Stewarts of Blair Belle, Sheila and Cathy Stewart Lismor LIFL 7010 (LP, UK, 1985) From the Heart of the Tradition Sheila Stewart Topic Records TSCD515 (CD, UK, 2000)… And Time Goes On …Songs and Stories'' Sheila Stewart Offspring Records OFFCD00101 (CD, UK, 2000)

Awards and honours In the 2006 Birthday Honours Stewart was made an MBE for her services to Scottish traditional music.

In 2016 Stewart was featured in the documentary 'Where You're Meant To Be' along with Aidan Moffat. The film features Moffat travelling around Scotland to perform his reinterpretations of traditional Scottish folk songs. Stewart is critical of Moffat's versions of the songs, though ultimately appears on stage with Moffat at a performance at Glasgow Barrowlands.