A legendary Doric musician and broadcaster is home and on the mend after breaking his hip in a nasty fall.
Robbie Shepherd MBE, one of the north-east’s most well known voices, underwent surgery last week after tripping on a kerb as he walked to the shop.
The 80-year-old wound up in a hospital bed just a few feet from his beloved wife Esma – who was admitted suffering from hip complications earlier in the year.
The musician was already familiar with the ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, having visited his other half there every day for the past three months.
For three days, the couple were in neighbouring rooms before the Press and Journal columnist was moved on to Woodend Hospital.
Having received a replacement hip joint last week, Mr Shepherd was released on Monday and is now back home.
Yesterday, Mr Shepherd said “normal service” was being resumed as he settled back in – though he added it would
be a while before he is walking unaided.
He said: “I came home on Monday. Esma is still in there, keeping all right. I have got very good friends and neighbours taking me into hospital.
“I am glad to be home. Normal service will be resumed. I am hoping to make the final of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship (at the weekend), it all depends. I would be just showing my presence.
“I am very watchful of what I have been told I can do and can’t do. I am a good patient to myself.”
Mr Shepherd recently stepped down from his presenting role on BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor, but will return to the studio from time to time.
He is known to thousands of people in the north-east as voice of some of the most popular Highland gatherings in the region, including Braemar, Lonach, Aboyne and Oldmeldrum.
Born in Dunecht, he began his career as a musician – his instrument being the mouth organ, or “moothie”.
He was made an MBE in the 2001 New Year Honours roll for services to Scottish dance music and culture, whilst he has also written books on Scottish country music and Scots dancing.