Went on a bit of a jaunt around the borders last week. Apart from being told to take my backpack off by a National Trust Nazi, like I were a jittery 14 year old on a school trip (I'm 38 and have never knocked an antique vase from a table on to the floor by any accidental or deliberate means, with or without a backpack) it was a great day at Culzean castle...http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/97/
Anyway... on to Burn's birthplace. Simple. There's a well conceived collection of period items and 'Burnsabilia' in the new purpose built museum and the little stone farm building, where he lived in his early years, has some nice graphic touches. Hats off to whoever was bold enough to suggest these items featured below instead of plumping for the predictable 'tartan and haggis'.
The Burns children's bedclothes floating above the cabin bed
Nice font, Sir!
Pittenweem
Another day out and about looking for inspiration. Pittenweem, fife. It was established as a fishing port in 1228!
Remarkably, they still have the same public toilets.
My dad used to sing this to anyone who'd listen...
Pittenweem Jo
I’m gaun wi a lass frae Pittenweem,
She’s every fisher laddie’s dream;
She guts the herrin doon by the quay,
And saves her kisses just for me.
Oh last July it came tae pass,
I met this bonnie fisher lass;
Wi her een sae blue and black her hair,
I met her doon at Ainster Fair.
Chorus:
Pittenweem, Pittenweem,
She’s every fisher laddie’s dream;
She guts the herrin doon by the quay,
And saves her kisses just for me.
I says tae her “Can I tak ye hame?”
She says “Oh fine I ken yer game;
But ne’er the less ye’re awfy kind,
In fact I widnae really mind.”
I took her hame that Saturday nicht,
The moon was shinin oh sae bricht;
And as we lay there on the grass,
I says “Hey Jo, wad ye be ma lass?”
She’s my lass noo, and weel I ken,
She disnae gang wi ither men;
For I was quick where they were slow,
And that’s how I won ma Pittenweem Jo.
Chorus:
Pittenweem, Pittenweem,
She’s every fisher laddie’s dream;
She guts the herrin doon by the quay,
And saves her kisses just for me.
I’m gaun wi a lass frae Pittenweem,
She’s every fisher laddie’s dream;She guts the herrin doon by the quay,
And saves her kisses just for me.Oh last July it came tae pass,
I met this bonnie fisher lass;Wi her een sae blue and black her hair,
I met her doon at Ainster Fair.Chorus:
Pittenweem, Pittenweem,She’s every fisher laddie’s dream;She guts the herrin doon by the quay,And saves her kisses just for me.I says tae her “Can I tak ye hame?”
She says “Oh fine I ken yer game;But ne’er the less ye’re awfy kind,
In fact I widnae really mind.”I took her hame that Saturday nicht,
The moon was shinin oh sae bricht; And as we lay there on the grass,
I says “Hey Jo, wad ye be ma lass?”She’s my lass noo, and weel I ken,
She disnae gang wi ither men;For I was quick where they were slow,
And that’s how I won ma Pittenweem Jo.Chorus:
Pittenweem, Pittenweem,She’s every fisher laddie’s dream;She guts the herrin doon by the quay,And saves her kisses just for me.Just in case you were unsure as to this buildings function.
