b. 1889

Daughter of song collector and singer Marjory Kennedy Fraser (1857-1930) and grand-daughter of singer David Kennedy (1825-1886), she was a major influence on the revival of the clarsach through her performances of the Gaelic music and song collected and arranged by herself and her mother. She traveled widely throughout Scotland, Europe and The United States Her harp was a gut strung model by Morley of London developed originally for the Irish market. In 1920 she married Canon John Charles Fulton Hood (1885-1964 ) who, from 1921, was chaplain to the Territorial Army and in 1935 became chaplain to the High Sheriff. He was the Chief Chaplain to British Forces in Norway and Iceland in 1940 and 41. These recordings are thought to be the earliest of Scottish or Irish harp playing.

About 100 modern books on Scottish topics, especially Highland music and dance, history and literature were presented to Edinburgh University Library in the 1950s by Patuffa Kennedy-Fraser Hood and Mr David Kennedy-Fraser. The books complement Marjory Kennedy Fraser’s papers and her collection of 280 wax cylinder recordings of Hebridean songs previously given in 1930.

The sign HOUSE FULL greeted me as I arrived for the end of the Hebridean concert, and I had the pleasure of feeling that fine work was at any rate in one instance receiving its due reward. Both the Kennedy Frasers were in excellent form; and Rosing, although he had not wholly assimilated the Sea-Rapture (Kishmul) Song, at least demonstrated that the song will hold its place beside his best renderings of Moussorgsky. He is the first singer who has been adequate to the music, and we may expect the thing done with full mastery at his later recital. The swing, the spirit and savagery were already in his version of it, and the combination of his forces with those of the Kennedy-Frasers is a fortunate one for the public. Miss Patuffa K-Fraser showed her rhythmic skill delightfully in the Ceol Brutha and Raasay.
William Atheling, The New Age, April 17 1919

Mull Fisher’s Love Song / Islay Reaper’s Song

Music arranged by Patuffa Kennedy-Fraser. Words by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser. From 78 rpm disk Columbia 9838 Matrix AX 4774. Remastered by Stuart Eydmann.

A Fairy Plaint / Music from within a fairy mound / Pulling the sea dulse

Music arranged by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser. Words of Pulling the sea dulse by K Macleod. From 78 rpm disk Columbia 9838 Matrix AX 4780. Remastered by Stuart Eydmann.

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BOOK: Songs of the Hebrides. for voice and Celtic harp or piano by Marjory Kennedy Fraser and Patuffa Kennedy Fraser, arr.

Published 1922. Includes historical information in preface and throughout. The cradle spell of Dunvegan / The Lewes :  Seal-womans’ sea-joy / S. Uist : Haradal O (mouth music for dancing) / Morar and Skye : The dowerless maiden / Islay : A fairy plaint / Barra : The mull fisher’s love song / Eriskay

https://archive.org/details/songsofhebridesf00kenn