| Biography | Robert Horne "Robbie" Shepherd MBE (born 1936) is a Scottish broadcaster and author, who is known for presenting shows on BBC Radio Scotland and for writing a column in Doric for Aberdeen's Press and Journal.
Shepherd was born in Dunecht, Aberdeenshire, Scotland and is a fluent Doric speaker, a dialect spoken in Dunecht and across the northeast of Scotland. He writes a regular column in Doric for the Press and Journal and has written several books about the Doric dialect, again written in Doric.
He has also written books on Scottish dance music and Scottish country dancing, which are well known interests of his. He took over as presenter of the BBC Radio Scotland show Take the Floor in 1981, the longest running radio program on Scottish radio, and now also hosts The Reel Blend, again for BBC Radio Scotland. He previously presented episodes of The Beechgrove Garden and sheepdog trials on television for BBC Scotland.
He was honoured with an MBE in the 2001 New Year Honours for services to Scottish Dance Music and to Scottish Culture and later in 2001, the University of Aberdeen awarded Shepherd an honorary degree, as Master of the University (M.Univ). He has been awarded several other prizes and honours from Scottish music and Scottish country dance organisations in recognition of his support and work.
Shepherd is the commentator at the Braemar Gathering and an honoured life member of the Braemar Royal Highland Society. He also commentates at other Highland games throughout Scotland, including Oldmeldrum and the Lonach Highland Gathering at Strathdon.
A documentary about Shepherd's career aired on BBC Alba and BBC One Scotland in December 2013. |