Category: Bitties Fae Barrowsgate
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Kissin’ Time
Before the first tune at the local dance, there was always “Kissin’ Time”. Gentlemen and ladies started out sitting at opposite sides of the room but, when the fiddler took up his bow, both sides rushed towards each other. There then followed a whole range of approaches to kissing, from the bashful to the positively…
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Whusky an Soda
Barrowsgate’s Granny “accidentally” gives the cow dealer washing soda to drink, which leads to a successful sale. “Birse tea” is where a dram of whisky is added to the last cup of tea in the pot.
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Rural Harmony
The parishioners of the divided community of Drumnadroggit decide to come together as one congregation for a Social Evening at the Auld Kirk. Needless to say, they still manage to fall out with each other.
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Toots Fae the Past
Barrowsgate comes across an old coaching horn that used to signal the approaching coach bus service at the Kildronan Arms. Barrowsgate wrote more about the service in another Bittie – Coaches and Cargoes. Note: In 1934, Leslie Hore-Belisha, as Transport Minister, had introduced a 30mph speed limit in built-up areas. The Kildronan Arms was, in…
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On wi’ the Dance
Barrowsgate looks back with affection at dances where as many as sixteen tunes were played in each half.
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Fich an’ Feech
[continues] Barrowsgate explains the difference between the meanings of “feech”(an exclamation) and “fich” – the latter being the knob on the bottom of a certain variety of French clay pipe. Note: the end of this article is missing in the original cutting but has been substituted with a scan. An almost identical version appeared two…
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Speed
Miss O B Carefu gives a cautionary talk at the Kildronan Women’s Rural Institute about not rushing into things – before speeding off in her car.
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Rise an’ Fa’ in Pigs
Geordie Tamson tricks the blacksmith into buying a pig that turns out to be smaller than it looked at first sight.
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“Gurr” an’ a Picky Say
Barrowsgate explains the meaning of “picky say” and how it relates to how a farm worker might wear his hat.
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The Immortal Memory
Barrowsgate has a Burns Supper to go to tonight and recalls his friend Mrs Maldyprop, who wanted to raise a toast to his Immoral Memory.