Glenbuchat Heritage

119 How the Blacksmith Drew Teeth.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Monday 26 January 1925

OLD GLENBUCHAT. (Stories from the Past)

How the Blacksmith Drew Teeth.

Above picture of the Glenbuchat Smiddy

At the opening of the Literary Society of Glenbuchat, Mr Spark, chairman, gave a paper on the derivation of the name Glenbuchat, the strata, how the people lived and were clothed, education, incidents connected with the church, and a general historical review, with traditional stories.

The name was variously spelt—Buchat, Buicket (old tokens), and Bucket (corruption). One interpretation was the ' "yellow cat"; another was the "fair-haired chats," or Catterans, who were famed for raids the lowlands Aberdeenshire; another view was taken from the hills —the Buck, and the Bucket (Little Buck); another from the sound of the stream or the grouse "buick, buick."

There no doubt that the name had a connection with the ox, "bu," and with the derivation from "Glean Abui," yellow or good pasture land. The parish being the outlying portion of Logie-in- Mar, the flocks and herds were summered there, and at night were penned n booths —"Belnaboth" —in case of raiders on their way the south.

A story has that one occasion the raiders passed Invernochty their way "Falkland Trist," and lifted the minister's ox. The laird, who was responsible for order, demanded the return the animal under threat of punishment. The ox was duly replaced.

The Mighty Smith.

The folk were seldom ill. For toothache the patient went to the smithy. The smith (a mighty man was he) tied a string the tooth, and attached the end the anvil. When all was ready, "fissing" red hot iron was held the nose, and with the sudden start the tooth was ejected.

The oldest inhabitant died when 101 years age. This was Isabel Donald (Mrs Dow. Peatfold), native ' When she attended church she came barefooted, and sat in the stair in case anyone would tramp her toes. In her 100th year she walked from Migvie to Glenbuchat—over eight miles.

The staple trades lime-quarrying, peat-cutting, and farming, though progrossing was at a discount till the bis prices in the 'seventies. Brewing was tolerated for time, but when gaugers were appointed, many expedients were resorted to order to avoid capture. Sometimes a hearse was got, and the coffin filled with mountain dew.

Besides poaching, the young men and women went in harvest the lowlands, and worked northward. This sufficed for the winter. With the stoppage of lime raking, poaching, and brewing, the young men and women set off to the towns or to learn professions and trades, or sailed Canada to make fortunes.

The Great Gordon.
Glenbuchat became a civil parish 1473, with twenty pounds Scots Stipend. In 1590 the Castle of Glenbuchat was erected, and in course time was inhabited by the "Great Gordon," who was out in ’15 and '45. He raised his men in Buchat, Nochty, and Auchindoone. The King England lived in fear this renowned chief, for he cried out in his sleep one night, "The Great Gordon," who Glenbuchat be coming." After Culloden, Lieut. Gordon crossed the hills to his native strath, and afterwards went to France.

The Gordons were followed by Lord Fife's family, then by Mr Burra, England, and then by Mr Barclay, M.. P. The last-mentioned proprietor improved the houses over the whole glen, ana planted many belts of trees. '

The kirk was originally thatched in 1473, and was rebuilt in 1629. The present church (1629) was re-roofed in 182S, and has still unique communion table from end to end of the kirk. Many stories were handed down regarding the herds and shepherds taking their dogs to the kirk. The duty of the beadle, who was furnished with a "pluck," was to drag any refractory dog out the kirk. one occasion, the minister became irritated at a howling beast, and after its removal said—"l do not blame the dogs so much their parents for bringing them.''

Sleeping was a deadly offence, and sometimes the minister threw the Bible at the sleeper. His duty was done impartially, even when his own family were involved. On a hot day the minister's wife was overcome, and the minister had to reprove her. Turning to her, he said rf When I got yon for my wife, got nae beauty; your freens ken I got siller, and gin, I dinna get God's blessing I'll a poor bargain indeed."