Robert Shepherd
Born(1936-04-28)28 April 1936
Dunecht, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Died1 August 2023(2023-08-01) (aged 87)

Dr Robert Horne Shepherd MBE (28 April 1936 – 1 August 2023) was a Scottish broadcaster and author who was known for presenting shows on BBC Radio Scotland and for writing a column in Doric for Aberdeen's Press and Journal newspaper.[1]

Life and career

Shepherd was born in Dunecht, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 28 April 1936.[1][2][3] In the 1950s, he worked as an accountant on Union Terrace in Aberdeen,[4] while additionally trying to be a musician, playing the mouth organ. Afterwards he started working as a compère for variety shows. He also worked as a producer for variety shows and theatres, before moving on to broadcasting.[5]

In 1980, he took over as presenter of the BBC Radio Scotland show Take the Floor, the longest-running radio programme produced in Scotland, which he hosted until 2016. He also hosted The Reel Blend, again for BBC Radio Scotland, and presented episodes of The Beechgrove Garden and sheepdog trials on television for BBC Scotland.[6][7][8] Shepherd also wrote books on Scottish dance music and Scottish country dancing, which were well known interests of his.[8]

Shepherd was a fluent Doric speaker, a dialect spoken across the northeast of Scotland. He has written books about the Doric dialect, in Doric.[1][9] In April 1993 he started writing a column in Doric for the Press and Journal—his Doric column. Some time later, his column was cancelled, but due to outcry from readers was eventually reinstated. He wrote his last piece in the column on 15 July 2023, two weeks before his death.[5]

Shepherd was the commentator at the Braemar Gathering and an honoured life member of the Braemar Royal Highland Society.[6][10] He also commentated at other Highland games throughout Scotland, including Oldmeldrum and the Lonach Highland Gathering at Strathdon.[6] He often commented together with his friend Robert Lovie.[5]

A documentary about Shepherd's career aired on BBC Alba and BBC One Scotland in December 2013.[6]

Shepherd met his wife, Esma Dickson, on a bus. He married her at Cluny Churchyard on 23 September 1961.[4]

Death

Shepherd died on 1 August 2023, at the age of 87.[5][11]

Awards and honours

Shepherd was honoured with an MBE in the 2001 New Year Honours for services to Scottish Dance Music and to Scottish Culture. Later in 2001, the University of Aberdeen awarded him an honorary degree, as Master of the University (M.Univ).[2][6][12] He was awarded several other prizes and honours from Scottish music and Scottish country dance organisations in recognition of his support and work.[9]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ a b c Birlinn Limited. "Robbie Shepherd". Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b "No. 56070". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 30 December 2001. p. 22.
  3. ^ "Robbie Shepherd, cherished journalist and radio host who presented Take The Floor for 35 years – obituary". The Telegraph. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b Hendry, Ben (29 September 2021). "Romance blossomed on rural bus – now Doric hero Robbie Shepherd and wife Esma mark 60th anniversary". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e Glen, Louise (2 August 2023). "Legendary broadcaster, compere and Doric doyen Robbie Shepherd dies at 87". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Documentary on veteran broadcaster Robbie Shepherd". BBC News. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Robbie Shepherd". Explore BFI. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  8. ^ a b Banks, Ken (15 September 2016). "Broadcaster Robbie Shepherd leaving Take the Floor after 35 years". BBC News. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Robbie Shepherd MBE". Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Scottish Culture Online. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  10. ^ Braemar Royal Highland Charity (2013). "Programme of Braemar Royal Highland Gathering" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  11. ^ "Veteran broadcaster Robbie Shepherd dies aged 87". BBC News. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  12. ^ "University of Aberdeen". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 24 November 2001. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
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