Stitchers: Berit Damm, Randi Arstal
Undoubtedly the most famous name in all Norwegian music is that of classical composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907). Born in Bergen, Grieg’s surname is a clear reminder of his family’s Scottish roots. His great-great-grandfather, John Grieg or Greig (at his marriage, Grig) who lived c1704 to 1774, was a respected tenant farmer at Mosstoun of Cairnbulg, Aberdeenshire. Two of John’s sons, Alexander (Grieg’s great-grandfather) and James, emigrated to Bergen around 1770, so following a centuries-long tradition of North Sea mercantile exchange between the coastal communities of Norway and Scotland. Descendents of both Alexander and James live in Bergen to this day.
NO04 Èideard Grieg
Gun teagamh sam bith is e an t-ainm as cliùitiche ann an ceòl Nirribhigh uile, ainm an sgrìobhaiche-ciùil clasaigeach, Edvard Grieg (1843–1907). Rugadh e ann am Bergen, agus tha ainm sloinnidh Grieg mar athchuimhneachan soilleir air freumhan Albannach a theaghlaich. Bha a shean-shean-seanair, Iain Grieg no Greig (Grig aig a phòsadh) a bha beò bho 1704–1774, na neach-gabhail tuathanais dha robh mòran spèis, ann am Mosstoun Chairnbuilg ann an Siorrachd Obar Dheathain. Rinn dithis de mhic Iain, Alasdair (sean-seanair Grieg) agus Seumas às-imrich gu Bergen mu 1770, mar sin a’ leantainn traidisean fad-linntean de dh’iomlaid marsantach sa Chuan a Tuath eadar na coimhearsnachdan mun chosta ann an Nirribhigh agus Alba. Tha sliochd Alasdair agus Sheumais a’ fuireach ann am Bergen gus an latha an-diugh.