Crofting – Page 9 – Barrowsgate

Rise an’ Fa’ in Pigs

Feb 8, 1935

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Geordie Tamson tricks the blacksmith into buying a pig that turns out to be smaller than it looked at first sight.

The Feein’ o Tam

Feb 1, 1935

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in Other verse, Verse, Writings

The farmer apparently can’t pay his labourers higher wages (fees) but still manages to afford to run a car and seems to have plenty of money for drinking. Published in the London Scottish Regimental Gazette.

The Hairst o’ Peat

Feb 1, 1935

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in Other verse, Verse, Writings

Harvesting peat for the winter. Published in the London Scottish Regimental Gazette.

“Gurr” an’ a Picky Say

Feb 1, 1935

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Barrowsgate explains the meaning of “picky say” and how it relates to how a farm worker might wear his hat.

Union is Strength

Nov 16, 1934

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Barrowsgate muses on the truth of the well-known saying, in different contexts.

A Matter of Conscience

Aug 10, 1934

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Barrowsgate reflects that there have been unscrupulous characters in the cattle industry since Biblical times.

An Echo of Muckle Friday

Jun 8, 1934

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Two of Barrowsgate’s newspaper colleagues decide to go to Muckle Fair in Aberdeen, pretending to be Buchan farm labourers looking for work. “Muckle Friday” was originally held in medieval times at the festival of Michaelmas on 29 September when the produce of the harvest would be sold in the stalls of the markets, and labourers…

Roups

Jun 1, 1934

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Barrowsgate explains auctions and auctioneers.

Glenmuchty

May 1, 1934

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in Other verse, Verse, Writings

Glenmuchty runs a big farm and is always looking for workmen but nobody stays long because he works the men hard all day and is mean. He wasn’t always that way – only since he got married. This verse was published in the London Scottish Regimental Gazette in May 1934.

Fermin’ an’ Frettin’

Feb 9, 1934

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Barrowsgate despairs at the constant pessimism shown by farmers. The Walter Elliot referred to in this Bittie was a Scottish politician who, at the time of the article, was Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He was credited with introducing the Agricultural Marketing Act which sought to protect food producers from going bankrupt amidst surpluses…

Tag: Crofting