Category: Observations
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Class Distinction
Barrowsgate compares the leadership qualities of church ministers and shepherds and concludes that neither can lead their flocks with their noses in the air.
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The Airt Polite
Barrowsgate recalls the time he pushed his sister Jean into the mill stream, politely remembering to say “after you”.
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Moses Esq. – Promoter
Barrowsgate is convinced that Moses was a Scot, and that he raised money for his church by organising sales of work. Note: The only printed copy of this Bittie is almost illegible but the typescript that was submitted to the BBC around 1958 can be downloaded below.
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Mistress Barrowsgate Explains
Mistress Barrowsgate goes away for the weekend and leaves Barrowsgate four pounds of meat that he can roast. Instead, he decides to make a pie, boils the meat dry and rolls out the pastry with Mistress B’s clothes mangle.
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Peats – a Peetifu’ Tale
Mrs Barrowsgate remembers cutting peat as a young girl and, after they move to a new area, she sends Barrowsgate out with a spade to look for some. Taking instruction from Wull o’ Mormon, Barrowsgate finds out that cutting peat is harder than it looks.
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Aikey Fair an’ a Flea
Barrowsgate enjoys a free day out at Aikey Fair but thinks he might have come home with one of the tiny performance artists he saw there. Background: The annual Sunday Fair at Aikey Brae preceded the Wednesday horse market, and was known for the somewhat dubious items being sold by tramps and hawkers. The Fair…
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Cookin’ an’ Coukin’
Barrowsgate eavesdrops on some ladies on the bus, and finds it quite educational.
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Win’, Jist Win’
Barrowsgate finds his new place very windy and, there being few trees for kindling, has to keep his fire going overnight with peat.
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Genesis
Barrowsgate explains how the Hill of Mormond got its name. One might think it bears more than a passing similarity to the legend of Clochnaben.