Charles Christie
Extract from MS249 The Atholl Experience
People of Atholl: Charles Christie, 1816-1901
Illustration: Charles Christie, Sergeant in the Atholl
Highlanders, 1893. Reproduced with kind permission of Atholl
Estates |
Valet and afterwards House Steward at
Dunkeld, Charles was born in Blair Atholl in 1816 and entered the
service of Duchess Marjorie (second wife of the 4th Duke) as a
footman in 1834. During Queen Victoria’s first visit to
the Highlands in 1842 Charles performed the Sword Dance 'displaying
great alacrity and expertness in executing the steps' (Queen
Victoria). Music for the dancing was provided by John
Macpherson, Pipe Major of the Atholl Highlanders.
Charles was also a curler of repute, being the first player in the
‘first rink’, one of the teams participating in the
Dunkeld Curling Club League, inaugurated in 1834. Later in
the century the First Rink was captained by George, the 6th Duke of
Atholl.
Charles became Valet and Groom of the Chamber of the 6th Duke and
afterwards House Steward to the Dowager Duchess Anne from 1864 till
her death on 18 May 1897. |
Source: John Kerr, The Atholl Experience Vol 9 (1),
p5
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