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Biography of James Taylor; the Horseman’s Word.

Contributors
Date 1953
Track ID 2407
Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1953.189.3

Original Tape ID

SA1953.189

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

Collection

SoSS

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Fair