Mackintosh Robert

General information

Robert Mackintosh, known as 'Red Rob' on account of the colour of his hair, was a Scottish composer and violinist, active in Edinburgh at the end of the 18th century. He was known for his compositions of strathspeys, reels, and jigs, as well as minuets and gavottes.BiographyMackintosh was born in Tullymet, near Pitlochry, Perthshire, about 1745. Around 1773, he was living in Skinner's Close, just off Edinburgh's High Street, employed as a music teacher and playing in the orchestra of the Edinburgh Musical Society. His first collection of music was published in 1783, including 54 pieces, including 17 reels. During 1785-88 he was working in Aberdeen, leading the 'Gentleman's Concerts'. His second collection was published in Edinburgh in 1793, including 73 pieces, including more reels and strathspeys. A third collection, including 117 pieces, followed in 1796. He later went to London where in 1804 he produced his fourth collection of a further 113 pieces. He died in London in 1807.WorksThe Diamond Reel Honourable Mrs. Campbell of Lochnell Miss Elizabeth Robertson Miss Ann Munro's Quickstep Miss Margaret Campbell Miss Campbell of Saddell, a pastoral Miss Robertson Miss Mariane Oliphant Honourable Mrs. E. Macleod Lady Charlotte Campbell's Strathspey and Reel Lady Charlotte Cadogan Miss Campbell's Reel