McFarlane O’ the Sproats o Burnie Boozie

McFarlane O’ the Sproats o Burnie Boozie.

Afore that I be tyraneesed as I this while hae been
I'd raither rin frae here tae Birse
Wi peas in baith my sheen
I'd raither dee for wint o breath
Than pine for wint o love
And it's aa because McFarlane married Susie.
Noo Susie's kankered faither and mine could never 'gree
And I fan I'd ging ower that gate
He'd hing his dog at me,
So I sent my friend McFarlane roond tae see fit he could dae,
McFarlane o the Sprots o Burnieboosie.

Chorus
I dinna like McFarlane, I'm safe enough tae state
His lug would cast a shadow ower a sax fit gate
He's saft as ony gorblin and sliddery as a skate
McFarlane o the Sprots o Burnieboosie.

McFarlane spak nae word for me but plenty for himsel
He reesed the lassie's barley scones
Her kibbuk and her cail
Till her faither cried oot "Sprotty man, you should try yer luck yersel"
Tae McFarlane o the Sprots o Burnieboosie
Though McFarlane is the grimmest chiel
For twenty mile aroon
Though they buy his photograph tae fleg the rottens frae the toon
He kittled up his spunk at this
And spiered gin she'd come doon
Tae be mistress of the Sprots o Burnieboosie.

I dinna like McFarlane, I tell it's a fact
He's a nose for splittin hailstanes and humphy back
He's legs like gutteperka, ilka step his knees gang knack
McFarlane o the Sprots o Burnieboosie
He said he wis baith able, tae play at coup the ladle
Wi a ledder ower a treacle cask
And ca the churn forbye,
Anither o his winners wis sawdust mixed wi cinners
Was the spice for mettin hens at Burnieboosie
An educated ostrich frae the zoo at Timbuctoo
He had for scrattin up his neeps
So he hidna them tae pu'
I never hear the like o that come oot o ony mou'
But McFarlane o the Sprots o Burnieboosie.

I dinna like McFarlane, it's awfu but it's true
A pewter speen was tint in Jock McFarlane's mou'
He couldna weel be grimmer, taks his porridge wi a skimmer
McFarlane o the Sprots o Burnieboosie.

Oh a dirl o the teethache's nae particularly sweet
But love's the only pain on earth that ever gart me greet
It's just like kittley chilblains
Roon yer heart instead o your feet
It was aggravated by the sicht of Susie
Noo friends and kind philosophers
Ye've heard what me befell
Never lippen tae the middle man
But dae yer work yersel
Or I'll bet my hindmost sark that
Ye're a day ahint the market
As was I when I sent McFarlane roon tae Susie.

I dinna like McFarlane, I'm fairly aff o Jock
I dinna like McFarlane nor McFarlane's folk
May Susie be nae turtle, but brings the tangs or spurtle
Doon ower the heid o Jock o Burnieboosie

Steall Waterfall Glen Nevis Scotland

Steall Waterfall, Glen Nevis, Scotland.

A favourite short walk of mine is to Steall Waterfall at the head of Glen Nevis! The walk starts at the end of the road up Glen Nevis, where parking is fairly limited. A sign stating 'Danger of Death' shouldn't put you off, but care should be taken as the path winds along the side of the gorge through to the flat plain at Steall.

The waterfall varies considerably depending on rainfall obviously, but the West Coast of Scotland rarely lets us down on that score! An ideal picnic spot, the chaffinches are used to lots of sanwiches being shared! For those with a more daring disposition, the classic wire bridge challenges you to cross the fast flowing river!

The total walk is only four kilometres, but the wilderness of Glen Nevis may draw you further into the Glen!


Friendly Chaffinch at Steall.

Map by Bing Maps.


Steall Waterfall from Carn Dearg, Ben Nevis.


View to Steall, Glen Nevis.


Steall Glen Nevis


Wire Bridge at Steall, Glen Nevis.

Glendevon to Castle Campbell

Castle Campbell.

A gloomy Castle Campbell today 14th February 2010 as the mist hung low on the Ochils!

A super walk though, through from Glendevon to Castle Campbell following an old drove road for cattle heading to Falkirk Market. The Woodland Trust have planted more than 600,000 native trees to try and return the Glen to its original state.

Better planning would have had cars at each end of the walk, but returning by the same route was very pleasant with sunshine warming my back as I stepped into the gloomy valley. Saw a hen harrier disappear in the mist, and the plumage of the wildfowl on the water brightened the day.

I think the Tormaukin Inn should market the walk by providing return transport to the Inn from Castle Campbell. I certainly would!


Path above Castle Campbell.


Dollar Glen.


Waterfall in Dollar Glen.


Woodland Trust, Geordie's Wood.


Glenquey reservoir.

Tullibardine Distillery Tour 13th February 2010

Tullibardine Distillery Tour 13th February 2010.

The happy band prior to the Tour of Tullibardine Distillery on 13th February 2010!

A great day organised by pal, Doug G, saw us meeting master distiller, John Black at 11am, for The Connoisseur Tour of Tullibardine Distillery! What followed was an absolute treat, with John recounting many tales from the numerous distilleries that he has worked with. Informative and fun, this guy is a real gem, and on visiting the Distillery, I would recommend that you accompany him for a great day out.

I should have known though, when John mentioned that the Distillery was founded by a Welshman, that our enjoyment watching Scotland beating Wales later would be cruelly snatched away by another great Welshman! Only a slight hiccup though in a marvellous day out!


John Black in Tasting Room.


Keith Nosing a dram!


Spirit Still Tullibardine.

Bonnie Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond

Bonnie Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond.

Walk in mixed weather on 19th July 2009 on Ben Lomond and on to the graham of Cruinn a' Bheinn. The Bonnie Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond were looking very green due to the rainfall in the 'Summer' of 2009. The hill was very busy with walkers of all shapes and sizes, with many doing charity walks. Apart from the two of us, my daughter Eve and In-Laws Jim and Marie enjoyed the walk. Not bad for 75 year olds!


Loch Lomond.


Charity Fund Raisers on Ben Lomond.


National Trust for Scotland.


Gloomy day over Loch Lomond.


Summit Trig, Ben Lomond.

For Cottages near Loch Lomond, click on the Cottages4You box on the right under Scotland, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

Villfranche-de-Conflent

Villfranche-de-Conflent.

The lovely town of Villefranche-de-Conflent in the South of France. The town is strategically situated with a remarkable tunnel cut through the rock to a fortress overlooking the town.

The biggest thrill for me as an amateur mycologist, was finding a shop devoted entirely to wild mushrooms! Heavenly! I wish the cep and chanterelle I pick in Scotland were as large as these specimens!


Villefranche-de-Conflent tunnel.


Chanterelle!


Cep!

Perth City Centre from Bing Maps

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Perth City Centre from Bing Maps.