Pilgrims travel from far and wide to salute Bon

VISITORS from far and wide, including some from Europe, converged on Kirriemuir on Saturday as the town saluted a fourth famous son.

One of the highlights of the day-long tribute to Kirrie-born Bon Scott, who went on to front the legendary Australian rock band AC/DC, was the unveiling of a Caithness stone slab in Cumberland Close at 1 p.m.

The memorial now sits alongside similar memorials to three other famous Kirriemarians – celebrated author J. M. Barrie, noted geologist Charles Lyell and mountaineer Hugh Munro – in the shadows on the millennium fountain just yards from the Tourist Information Centre in the little red town.

All the slabs have been carved by internationally renowned sculptor Bruce Walker, and Saturday's ceremony was led by Kirriemuir Community Council, which commissioned the memorial after an idea sparked by member David Milne.

Born Ronald Belford Scott on July 9, 1946, Bon spent his early years in Kirriemuir, before emigrating down under with his family at the age of six.

He was involved with several bands before making a name for himself as lead singer with AC/DC in the seventies.

Details of Bon Scott's biography were delivered by community council chairman Roland Proctor, who revealed that he had been contacted just before the weekend from Down Under by a lifelong friend of the singer, who wanted to pay his personal tribute.

Mr Proctor read a message from Vincent Lovegrove, who first met the then 19-year-old Bon in 1965 and forged an instant friendship which was to stretch right up until the Angus man's death.

Among the crowd was Australian Darren Hill, who now owns Kookaburra's Restaurant on the outskirts of Forfar, but travelled back home in 2005 to a memorial service at the singer's grave.

Mr Hill brought AC/DC memorabilia back for an exhibition mounted in Kirriemuir to coincide with the anniversary of the singer's death and revealed how the weekend's event had also sparked interest from his homeland.

"I was contacted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio on Friday night and did a live interview in which I was asked about Kirriemuir and my own interest in Bon Scott," he explained.

"Bon Scott's music speaks to many generations and I think it's great that they've made this memorial for him."

Following the ceremony in Cumberland Close, local bands, under the stewardship of DD8 Music, performed in the Town Hall, Kirriemuir, throughout the afternoon, the event reaching a crescendo in the evening with a concert featuring an AC/DC tribute band from Edinburgh, supported by three local bands.

Adding to the 'high voltage' musical extravaganza that took place in tribute to Bon, Kirriemuir Tourist Information Centre also held a quiz to remember the town's most acclaimed musical artist.

Bon's name in full, the age he left Kirriemuir, which country he emigrated to and questions on some of the bands most famous hits.

"Bon Scott and AC/DC are one of the most recognised singers and bands across the world and have a huge following of rock'n roll enthusiasts," said Anne Lamont, VisitScotland customer service manager.

"We decided to hold a quiz to coincide with the many great things going on and hopefully enlighten people who come into the TIC of the various things happening in Kirriemuir and the rest of Angus and Dundee.

"We have such a fantastic tourism product it is great to see British and international fans coming to sample what the area has to offer."

Locals and visitors in the town were invited to fill in the quiz form with a music prize being awarded to the first correct entry to be drawn by Bruce Walker, the local man who sculpted the Bon Scott Plaque, this Saturday.

"Angus & Dundee has such a vibrant city centre, immersed in culture and with a fantastic tourism product that has something for everyone," added Patrick O'Shaughnessy, VisitScotland Angus & Dundee area director.

"I hope that anyone coming to Kirriemuir to take part in the celebration of Bon Scott enjoyed what Kirriemuir and the surrounding area has to offer and is able to return and perhaps see parts they have missed this time round."

www.forfartoday.co.uk

Kirriemuir salutes rock star legend

KIRRIEMUIR SALUTED another of its famous sons at the weekend in a ceremony which drew visitors from Europe and interest from the opposite side of the world.

Fifty-five years after he emigrated to Australia with his family, Bon Scott was remembered by the town and hundreds of fans of rockers AC/DC with which he became a legend.

The appeal Scott and his fellow band members hold for all ages was evident in the range of generations which packed Kirrie’s Cumberland Close under Saturday’s sunny skies to see the unveiling of a Caithness stone slab commemorating the singer, which now sits alongside similar memorials unveiled to three other famed Kirriemarians—J. M. Barrie, Hugh Munro and Charles Lyell.

All the slabs have been carved by internationally renowned sculptor Bruce Walker, whose base is in Cumberland Close and Saturday’s ceremony was led by Kirriemuir Community Council, which commissioned the Scott stone after an idea sparked by member Davie Milne.

Born Ronald Belford Scott on July 9, 1946, he spent his early years in Kirriemuir, where his father, Charles, worked in the family bakery in Bank Street.

Details of Bon’s biography were delivered by community council chairman Major Ronnie Proctor, who revealed that he had been contacted just before the weekend event from Down Under by a lifelong friend of Scott’s who wanted to pay his personal tribute to the musician, whose untimely death came in 1980.

Mr Proctor read a message from Vincent Lovegrove, who first met the then 19-year-old Bon in 1965 and forged an instant friendship which was to stretch right up until the Angus man’s death.

Mr Lovegrove said “I spoke to his mother last week and Isa told me how proud she was of this plaque in Kirriemuir.”

He continued, “The thing I loved most about Bon Scott was his almost unique self honesty. What you saw was what you got, he was a real person and as honest as the day is long.

“To my mind he was the street poet of my generations and of the generations that followed.”

Among the crowd was Australian Darren Hill, who now owns a restaurant outside Forfar but travelled back home in 2005 to a memorial service at the singer’s grave.

Mr Hill brought AC/DC memorabilia back for an exhibition mounted in Kirrie to coincide with the anniversary of the singer’s death and revealed how this weekend’s event had also sparked interest from his homeland.

“I was contacted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio on Friday night and did a live interview in which I was asked about Kirriemuir and my own interest in Bon Scott,” said Mr Hill.

“Bon Scott’s music speaks to many generations and I think it’s great that they’ve made this memorial to him.”

www.thecourier.co.uk

A memorial to former AC/DC front man Bon Scott has been unveiled in the small Angus town of Kirriemuir.

Scott was born in Kirriemuir in 1946 and went on to become an international star with the Australian band.

His family emigrated from Scotland when he was six. He went on to rock success and died of alcohol poisoning in 1980 after drinking heavily in London.

The singer was remembered along with other famous Kirriemuir natives, including Peter Pan author JM Barrie.

The memorial plaque, carved from Caithness stone for free by a local tradesman, was unveiled on Saturday.

Musical legacy

Kirriemuir community council chairman Roland Proctor said there had been widespread backing for the idea.

"The whole community has been quite behind this," he said.

"I never knew Bon Scott at all. Until it was brought to my attention I was completely unaware of the man."

Mr Proctor added: "Music wasn't new in his family - Bon Scott's uncle played the piano in a local country dance band."

Despite Scott's rock star image, Mr Proctor said the memorial would fit in well in Kirriemuir.

"Kirriemuir has got the sort of image that it's a retirement home for people, but this is something we wanted to do," he said.

"This is a place for the young and old, it's inviting to everybody."

www.bbc.co.uk

FANS SALUTE BON SCOTT

ABOUT 500 AC/DC fans descended on a Scots town at the weekend to remember rock legend Bon Scott.

Fans from as far afield as Hungary witnessed the unveiling of a plaque in honour of the heavy metal frontman, who died in 1980.

The plaque was unveiled by Kirriemuir community councillor Dave Milne, who commissioned it along with fellow AC/DC fan Gordon Burke.

Scott was born in the Angus town in 1946. He lived there until he was six, when his family emigrated to Australia.

He joined AC/DC in 1974 and recorded five albums before dying of alcohol poisoning.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Pictures thanks to Janet.

T-Shirts are now all sold out !

www.vkgraphics.co.uk/

T-Shirts are now all sold out !

Pictures of Daz from Volts at Hooks Bar, Kirriemuir and also Volts playing at night - thanks to Toni Jones

Former AC/DC singer Bon Scott is to be commemorated in his home town of Kirriemuir, Angus, this weekend with a plaque and live music from local rock groups and a tribute band. He died in 1980 in London.

Source - Scotsman.com

KIRRIEMUIR will come alive to the sound of rock music this Saturday when the community honours another of its famous sons. A memorial flagstone will be unveiled in Cumberland Close at around 1 p.m. as a permanent memorial to Kirriemuir-born Bon Scott who went on to front the legendary Australian rock band AC/DC. The suitably inscribed flagstone will bring to four the number which adorns an area of central Kirriemuir situated just round the corner from the Square – memorials to celebrated author J. M. Barrie, noted geologist Charles Lyell and mountaineer Hugh Munro having been unveiled at a similar ceremony in Cumberland Close a week past Saturday.

Kirriemuir Community Council is behind the Bon Scott honour, the singer having risen to prominence on the rock scene Down Under, following a move there with his family at a very early age.

Bon Scott was born in Kirriemuir on July 9, 1946, and spent the first six years of his life in town before his family relocated Down Under. He was involved with several bands before making a name for himself as lead singer with AC/DC in the seventies.

Last year was the 25th anniversary of Bon Scott's death in London in February 1980, and it was marked by a couple of local events – an exhibition of Bon Scott memorabilia in the Gateway to the Glens Museum and a concert by an AC/DC tribute band in Kirriemuir Town Hall. The events set members of Kirriemuir Community Council thinking that there should be some form of permanent memorial to Bon Scott and a sub-committee got to work on the idea of a slabstone plaque, which has been suitably inscribed by local sculptor Bruce Walker. Plans are now firmly in place for a Saturday of rock in Kirriemuir, starting with the unveiling of the plaque at 1 p.m.

Kirriemuir Community Council chairman Roland Proctor will say a few words about Bon Scott, with special mention of his family connections in the area, the musician having been closely related to Alex Scott the bakers who operated from premises in the Roods. Following the ceremony, local bands, under the stewardship of DD8 Music, will perform in the Town hall thoughout the afternoon.

In the evening, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., there will be a concert featuring an AC/DC tribute band from Edinburgh, backed up by three local bands. Kirriemuir Community Councillor Dave Milne, who has been co-ordinating the arrangements, said that everything was now in place for what should be a fitting tribute to Bon Scott. Chairman Roland Proctor added that, on the back of the unveiling of memorials to three sons of Kirriemuir a week past Saturday, this particular occasion would appeal to the younger generation. "Hopefully, quite a number of people will attend the unveiling of the commemorative flagstone and go on to enjoy the music in the Town Hall in the afternoon and evening," he concluded. 04 May 2006 www.forfartoday.co.uk

21 April 2006

Memorials for famous sons

A TRIO of Kirriemuir's favourite sons are to be honoured this weekend when commemorative flagstones are unveiled in Cumberland Close, writes Philip Murray.

The lives of celebrated author J. M. Barrie, noted geologist Charles Lyell, and mountaineer Hugh Munro will all be honoured when the slabs are placed during a special ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

At least 80 to 90 people are expected to be in attendance for the unveiling, which will also feature short speeches by experts and an appearance by relatives and descendants of the three men.

The event and the stones are the brainchild of the Friends of Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens Museum, and they are confident of a good turnout for the 2 p.m. ceremony, which is expected to last roughly half an hour.

"We're expecting at least 80 to 90 people and invited guests to turn up, and then expect a number of the public on top," said Friends chairperson Frances Havenga.

"People are already enquiring about the stones. Bruce Walker (the local sculptor who carved the stones) has been getting the most feedback and I sincerely hope this bodes very well (for the ceremony and the tourist trade].

"The ceremony should last no more than half an hour. Each of the experts will talk about the men for about five minutes before invited guests and members of the Friends will head to the nearby church hall for a special reception.

"On the day we'll also be issuing a potted history of the three men to those attending the unveiling.

"We'll also give a copy to the museum for them to copy if they wish," Frances added.

The relatives who will be unveiling the flagstones on the day are Harry Jamieson (Barrie), Lord Lyell, and Hugh Walker-Munro.

The experts who will give a little added insight into the men's past are Dr Karen McGavock of Stirling University, Dr Iain Spence (a fellow of the Geological Society of London) and John McNab (a hillwalker who has climbed many Munros).

Latest information regarding the unveiling of the memorial stone to Bon Scott which is to take place in Kirriemuir on Saturday 6th May.

The following information was kindly provided by Kirriemuir museum on behalf of one of the organisers, Mr Dave Milne.

The stone, which is a 3' x 2' Caithness slab, will be unveiled at 1pm in Cumberland Close (across the road from the museum). Open to all.

12 - 1pm, Bellie's Bar, band, "Sonnet 65" will perform.(beside Cumberland Close).
2 - 5pm, Town Hall, Kirriemuir, young bands from Kirriemuir will perform.
7 - 11.30pm, Town Hall, Kirriemuir, local Angus bands will perform.

Dave Milne has explained that arrangements for these events have still to be finalised, so it is possible that some changes will be made. Unfortunately, I don't think AB/CD or any other tribute band will be playing at the concerts, although the organisers hope to have some catering during the evening concert.

There are to be no tickets for the concerts held in the Town Hall - people have just to pay at the door.

To coincide with the unveiling of the stone, Kirriemuir museum have a very small display, using only items which belong to the museum this time. As we already had other exhibitions planned for this year before we were aware of the stone etc., it just wouldn't have been possible to do another "Bon" exhibition on the scale of last year's. However, for anyone wishing to pop in and see some Bon related memorabilia, I think it will be interesting, especially as the museum is situated directly opposite Cumberland Close, where the stone will be situated. The display will run from Sat 6th - Sat 13th May.

Thanks to Fiona and Laura at Kirriemuir museum for the information

BACK IN PLAQUE

ROCK star Bon Scott is to be honoured in his home town.

The former AC/DC singer was born on July 9, 1946 in Kirriemuir and the Angus village will unveil a plaque as part of a special event in May.

Kirriemuir community councillor Dave Milne said: "We know of people coming from as far afield as Derby."

Scott spent the first six years of his life in the village before his family moved to Australia.

He died in February 1980 after choking on his own vomit.

Kirrie's other son

A KIRRIEMUIR community councillor has called for some form of recognition of another of the town’s famous sons – one not quite so well-known as author and playwright J. M. Barrie.

David Milne brought to the attention of members that Bon Scott, one-time lead singer and front man of Australian hard rock band AC/DC, hailed from Kirriemuir.

Ronald Belford Scott was born in the town on July 9, 1946, emigrating with his family to Australia at the age of six.

Bon Scott enjoyed some limited success in various rock and R&B groups in the early 1970s, as a singer and sometimes a drummer.

In 1973, soon after returning to Adelaide, following a tour of England, he was seriously wounded in a motorcycle accident.

The following year, while working as a roadie and part-time chauffeur in the local Sydney music scene, Scott first met the members of AC/DC, of “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Highway To Hell” fame.

When singer Dave Evans got fired from AC/DC a few months later, the band knew who they wanted and Bon Scott joined AC/DC near the end of 1974.

For the next six years, until his untimely death in London on February 19, 1980, at the age of 33, Bon Scott was a leading light in what was regarded as one of the leading rock bands of its era.

Bon Scott is buried in Freemantle Cemetery’s Memorial Garden, Australia.

Although the AC/DC star only spent his very early years in Kirriemuir, community councillors agreed with David Milne that his association with the town deserves some form of recognition.

Members are to give the idea some thought, although one suggestion was that the Bon Scott name could be given to the concert staged in the Den each summer.

“It is something that would have to be put to the organisers, but it is one suggestion,” added Mr Proctor.

The community councillors are, of course, open to any other suggestion to commemorate the fact that Bon Scott was born and spent his early years in Kirriemuir.

• Local bands salute Bon
  
• Pictures
  
• Kirriemuir Museum
• Kirriemuir Community Council
• VOLTS
• www.vkgraphics.co.uk/
• DD8 Music
• Sonnet 65
• SAZ