A Garioch Hill For A Formartine Quine

Kathleen Noble, aunt of Helen Taylor, our Woodhead & Fyvie interviewer here recites part of a poem about Bennachie, the local big hill in the Garioch, c.1700ft. There is a debate in my mind whether this poem was by Charles Murray or Flora Garry - Kathleen thought it was the latter, but I've seen it in a book under Mr Murray's penship! If you know, tell me! And if somebody kens fit or faar Caliver is, I'd like to know that too! Can't find it on OS maps

Bennachie -

But Bennachie! Faith, yon’s the hill that rowes at yer hert fan ye’re awa!

Schiehallion? Aye, I’ve heard the name, Ben More, the Ochils, Arthur Seat

Take them and aa yer hills o’ fame, wi lochans leemin at their feet

But sit me doon by Gadie-side, or whaur the Glenton lies by Don,

The moorcock and the whaup for guide, up Bennachie an’ rivin on!

Syne, on the Mither Tap sae far, wind-cairded cloods drift by abeen,

And waast ower Keig stands Caliver, wi aa the warld tae me atween.

There’s braver mountains ower the sea, and fairer haughs I’ve kent,

But still! The Vale o’ Alford, Bennachie, yon’s the howe and this the hill!





Bennachie's Trig Point and Marker on the Mither Tap