Biography of James Taylor; the Horseman’s Word.
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1953.189.3
Original Tape ID
Summary
Biography of James Taylor; the Horseman’s Word.
James Taylor worked for his father, and then, aged fourteen, herded sheep near Elgin. He went through the caaf-hoose [chaff-house, i.e. the Horseman’s Word initiation] and had the shake of Auld Hornie [the Devil], which could be anything hard. Hamish Henderson tries to prompt him to recite an initiation verse: "Ye’ll conceal and never reveal, / Neither write not dite, nor recite." His father fee'd in various places, then asked him if he would come home. He stayed until his father died, then got his own croft in 1913. He was lifted [conscripted] in 1914, and served in the 6th (Donside) battalion of the Gordons. He fought at Neuve Chapelle.
Item Notes
The 1/6th (Banffshire and Donside) Battalion was part of the Gordon
Brigade, Highland Division.
Item Subject/Person
Taylor, James (Birkie)
Recording Location
County - Aberdeenshire
Parish - Strathdon
Village/Place - Lonach
Language
Scots
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Fair