Eachdraidh-beatha

Born in the village of Stuartfield in Buchan to a Travelling family. Her father, James Stewart, was very musical and had been a piper in the Gordon Highlanders regiment. Her mother was Elizabeth Townsley and Elizabeth's father had been a horse dealer and a showman with a travelling circus. The family moved to Fetterangus in 1917 and Lucy lived there until her death in 1982.

Lucy Stewart became one of the most significant source singers in Scotland and her renderings of Scots ballads and songs helped spark a renewal of interest in Scottish music, which began in the 1960s and endures to this day.

The folklorist Professor Kenneth Goldstein spent almost a year living with the Stewart family in 1959-60. During this time he collected a huge amount of traditional material, including ballads, stories, riddles and children's rhymes. Lucy was initially reluctant to sing in front of anyone who wasn't part of her family, but once she got to know Goldstein, the songs started to flow. Goldstein collected more than 175 songs and ballads from Lucy during this period.

Although not an active performer outwith her home, Lucy played a crucial role in keeping some excellent versions of ballads alive, through the recordings she made for Goldstein.

There are over 300 recordings of Lucy on the website.