The Dangers of Soutering

Douglas Paterson was born in Gamrie (aka Gardenstown, Morayshire) but his family moved to Turriff and his first experience as an apprentice was shoemaking or soutering to give it its Scots name. He recalls the floor covered with tackets and detritus from the process.

This rather horrific situation seems to have passed him by without too much stress. Perhaps Douglas and his ilk were hardier folk!

Here's what happened:

Now, gey aften in the course o wearin this sandals and opening and shutting them, the stitchin that held the buckle in place didna… it fell aff, so it hid tae be shewn on, so there wis a wye o daen it wi a sewing machine and I wis workin awa at it and whether somebody had spoken tae ma or no, I dinna ken, but the needle gid through ma finger! Richt through the nail and oot the ither side! And I can aye mind Jimmy Horn the souter, he heard ma shout and I said till him, fit wye div I caa the handle tae get the needle tae come up? [Laughter] Aa he could dae wis roar and laugh [more laughter], so eventually I got it oot so I gid it a sook and got it bleedin and aa the rest o’t, and I jist cairriet on wi ma work!

Souters were famous in Scots folk culture too, take Tam O'Shanter's pal Souter Johnny - The character is based on a real person, John Davidson, a cobbler and a friend of Burns.

And at his elbow, Souter Johnny,
His ancient, trusty drouthy cronie,
Tam lo'ed him like a very brither,
They had been fou for weeks thigether.
Tam o' Shanter (January, 1791)