Category: Observations
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Barberin’
Barrowsgate reads that some Aberdeen barbers are asking for legislation that would put them on the same footing as, for example, surgeons. Barrowsgate agrees that perhaps the fees should correspond to the suffering caused, and recalls a friend of his very nearly being scalped by one barber.
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Speirin b’ Spasms
Jean, the kitchen maid comes into the milking parlour and strikes up an amorous conversation with Chairlie the farmhand. They leave, arm in arm, and Barrowsgate sees a wedding on the horizon …
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Baillies and Gentlemen
Barrowsgate explains what it means to be a baillie or gentleman and the subtle differences between them. For context, a bailie or baillie was a civic officer in the local government of Scotland and was a post similar to that of an alderman or magistrate. Note: This article appeared again in the “Observations of Jeems”…
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The Loch Ness Monster
Barrowsgate applauds the inventiveness of the Inverness publicity department in coming up with the idea of the Loch Ness Monster, to prolong the tourist season. He isn’t so sure about the local publican who offers a special 50% alcohol, “DT’s guaranteed” whisky blend that will allow you to see two monsters and other reptiles in…
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A Tale of Whoa
Barrowsgate pokes fun at the rise of the “leisure horse rider” and their lack of horse skills. The Mill Inn referred to in this Bittie was on the Crynoch Burn that fed into the River Dee at Maryculter, near Drumoak. It closed down in 2014 after flooding. Note: The anecdote about the “cavalier of ample…
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Pigs tae Perfection
An extravagant claim by the National Farmers Union that Aberdeenshire farms are evolving the perfect pig leads Barrowsgate to muse on what the perfect pig would be like.
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The Traffic Problem
Barrowsgate came across a report by the town council about the traffic congestion in Aberdeen city centre when there is a football match on. He responds sarcastically to the suggestion that all traffic coming in from the countryside should be halted some distance from the city centre on match days. Barrowsgate is amused that the…
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Eggs, Assorted
Barrowsgate reads a Board of Trade report showing that millions of eggs are imported every year. He reflects on the humble egg in its many forms.
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Love, a fyou Defineetions
A speech at the Geneva Conference of 1933 made Barrowsgate reflect on the true meaning of love and the different ways of expressing it. By way of example, Jockie Tamson writes his true love a poem by way of marriage proposal. Jockie’s love letter is almost identical to Barrowsgate’s verse “A Proposal”.
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The Colorado Beetle an’ Ithers
A cautionary tale of beetles, bugs and insects and how to deal with them. The context for this bittie was the Colorado Beetle (Scotland) Order of 1933, brought in to combat the Colorado beetle which, as Barrowsgate notes, could have decimated potato crop.