There was an article on the Kelty Clippie in the 'Living Tradition' - last year, I think. I seem to remember it was Barbara Dickson, now departed to the pop camp, who was the first to sing it. I've also heard it from Hamish Imlach (on 'Scottish Sabbath', a German production of c. 1975 but still available), and the McCalmans still do it in concert.

Just for information - John Watt was a member of the 'Great Fife Roadshow' in the early 1970s, as was Barbara. At one of their performances John persuaded Barbara to dress up in a 'Clippie's' uniform for a performance of the song. Since then 'Maggie Blair' has been immortalised as a papier-mache sculpture with the face of Barabara - this was bought by the town of Keltie and is on display in the local library. As far as I'm aware Barbara never recorded it (although she has a new CD out called 'Full Circle' in which she revisits her folk roots - and very good it is). John has re-recorded the song on his CD 'Heroes' (Tradition Bearers label)as have I on the CD 'Twa Times ower' (Fishtail Records). of course the song has been recorded by many others. John found out many years after writing the song that there really was a clippie based out of the Kelty depot of Alexanders bus company called Margaret Blair - apparently her daughter took John to task.

Jack Beck