THE VIOLINS WITH STORIES COLLECTION

Photograph is copyright of Andy Sutton of Nottingham

Made in 2024 by master violin maker Steve Burnett of Edinburgh. The sides back, pegs and tailpiece of this beautiful unique violin were made from a 150+ year old ancient fallen apple tree from the historic orchard of Megginch Castle that was quite likely planted there by the famous orchardist and pomologist Patrick Matthew for his friend and neighbour, John Murray Drummond, the castle owner.

More information about this truly wonderful Scottish heritage violin and why it was made, along with more performances of it, can be found on The Patrick Matthew Website

Professional photographs of the violin, photographed by Jane Barlow of the Press Association can be found here

Mentioned on page 5 in the Scottish Herald newspaper, May 22 2024 Here  

Actor and violinist Thoren Ferguson plays The Patrick Matthew Violin at  Megginch Castle, May 2024.

Photograph is copyright of Andy Sutton of Nottingham

Thoren Ferguson with the Patrick Matthew at Megginch Castle in May 2024. Photograph is copryight of Jane Barlow of The Press Association-

I restored this violin in 2024, 120 years after it was made. The violin is heavily nicotine stained. The sound is clear, loud, brightly even and perfectly resonant with that magical D-string silvery bell-like resonance I really love.  The original internal label, written with a fountain pen, complete with cigarette ash burn reads exactly as follows:

"Copy of a Guarnerius, Archibald Smith, Campbeltown. 1904." 

Campbeltown is where Paul McCartney lived and wrote Mull of Kintyre. It is where they hold the annual Mull Of Kintyre (Mok Fest) music festival every August. The violin was restored and re-voiced in Nottingham. Mull of Kintyre is the official song of Forest (Nottingham Forest Football Club) fans. 

Another Archibald Smith Violin

Recognition of Archibald Smith