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Archiver > ButeshireGenWeb > 2002-03 > 1016944269


From: "Peter Cook" <>
Subject: Sunday morning musings #148
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 12:31:09 +0800


Welcome to Ann McBay who has joined this week.

If you haven't already contributed, we hope to hear from you soon.

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The list of Bute Researchers Websites has been updated this week ...
http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctbutes/homepage.htm

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Fairs on Arran - following an off list enquiry during the week, I
thought this might be of interest:

The "Book Of Arran" has this to say about fairs on the island, after
first having talked about Arran visitors to the mainland fairs ...

"The local fair at Lamlash, 'the Kirktoun of Kilbride.' may be
considered as an ancient institution, but it was in the (18)forties no
great affair, being at the beginning of winter, with little business
to do save in the sale and exchange of horses. The fair at Brodick was
of quite recent origin and fixed at a more convenient season, in the
beginning of June, so that it did considerable trade in horses,
cattle, and wool. A description of 1847 gives us its leading features
in what was, no doubt, its high day, and it is amusing to observe the
note of kindly patronage which the observer throws into his account:
for all its proximity to some of the busiest and most populous parts
of Scotland, Arran's insularity still retained distinctive and strange
features.

'The fair occupied about a quarter of a mile of the public road, and
two open fields or commons close by the sea-side. In these latter were
the horses, cattle, and carts of the inhabitants.
. . . . . .
The intercourse (in summer daily) with the mainland has greatly worn
off the peculiar traits of the Islanders; and every fair they appear
less singular, more improved, and better appointed in their turnout
than on the previous one. Their simple carts are being superseded by
properly constructed vehicles. The rude harness of rope, hair , or
rushes, is being replaced with the civilised article. The home-made
dress is giving place to more stylish manufactured fabrics.
The refreshment tents are very numerous.Teetotalism also had its
representations in the coffee tents. Goods stalls were abundant. The
crowd of wooden dishes, cogs, and platters exposed for sale, show the
prudence of old habits; and that the cleanly earthenware is too costly
and breakable to displace the wooden bowl.
There are crowds of gambling stands. Penny reels absorbed much spare
cash. The hardy and red-faced mountain nymphs footed it rarely, with
stylish partners from the great city of Glasgow.
In the evening the Islanders held their athletic games. There were
four steamers with full freights of pleasure seekers from Ayrshire and
Glasgow - the most of whom, however, returned in the afternoon before
the boisterous sport commenced' {Ayr Observer, June 29, 1847)

In Kilmorie parish there were only horse fairs, one at Lag and two at
Shedag in the rich strath of Blackwater."

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Feel free to join in and present your own items.

Peter Cook
List maintainer and Co-host with Barbara < >
of the ButeshireGenWeb mailing list.












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