Crieff: It's Traditions and Characters
With Annecdotes of Strathearn by D Macara (1881)
"THIS work is intended to
serve an important purpose. In every district, but especially in one so
important as that of Crieff, there is much floating information which has
been transmitted from generation to generation, but which has never been
written in a book. There are reminiscences of obsolete customs, traditions,
and superstitions, and humorous anecdotes of schoolmasters, ministers, and
other public men. These are not the materials which are usually taken up by
historians, but still they do throw some light upon history. They may give
us some idea of what is so often ignored by dignified historical writers,
viz., the lives of the common people. We may get some notion of their
houses, their dress, their furniture, their food, their superstitions, their
amusements, their way of thinking, speaking, and acting.
Crieff Past & Present
It is with a view of
preserving a varied collection of local traditions and stories that the
publisher has made the following selection. It embraces notes and incidents
relating to almost all phases of country and village life in and around
Crieff, more especially referring to the first sixty years of the century,
which will, it is hoped, give an insight into those scenes of " the good old
times," which are looked back upon with mixed feelings, and most of which,
owing to the irresistible effects of change, will never be re-enacted.
For these reasons the
Publisher hopes that this book will prove both entertaining and instructive,
not only to the inhabitants and frequenters of Crieff and its neighbourhood,
but to the English reading public generally.
The Publisher in his
endeavour to produce this work has been greatly aided by Mr D. Kippen,
Crieff, and also by Mr John M'culloch (Barn-kittoch), who has supplied many
of his well known and racy pieces. To both of these gentlemen he begs to
tender his best thanks.
June 1881.
BONNIE STRATHEARN
Musk:—" The Pibroch of Bonnie Strathearn, *
I FONDLY would linger in
Bonnie Strathearn,
In groves by the river's green banks I would roam,
And climb the proud steeps where the heather bells wave,
And cull the wild flowers of my own Highland Home.
The flowers bloom so fair round thy quiet rural cots,
The birds sing their love-notes in woodland and dell;
Thy green sylvan paths, and the scene from the hills,
Are treasured delights where fond memories dwell.
Though fierce storms sweep
over mountain and moor,
And cataracts foam like the wild raging sea,
Though ice binds the river and snows bar the way,
The blythe hearts of home make it summer to me.
Thy daughters are fair as the fairest of flowers,
True hearted and brave are the sons of the glen ;
Thy music's loved strains lend a charm to peace,
Or rouse up the spirit of heroes again.
Enshrined are thy glories in
story and song,
With tales of the old times by forest and lea;
The lays of the valley float over the land,
And cheer hearts afar o'er the wide rolling sea.
The great in the land seek thy heathery braes,
And breathe balmy zephyrs thy beauties among;
To see is to love thee! O haste, let us rove In bonnie
Strathearn, the valley of song!
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