Aathegither
The Buchan Heritage Society is a local history society with a strong interest in seeing that knowledge of local traditions and culture is passed down to the younger generation.
The society was awarded a grant from the Awards for All Heritage Lottery Fund to offer a two week series of heritage workshops entitled 'Aathegither' for primary pupils, in collaboration with Aberdeenshire Council's Arts Education Officer (Creative Links).
In all, 16 primary schools participated in the event, which took place at the Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, during the first two weeks of June 2004.
The P5-P7 pupils had the opportunity to participate in a range of activities including traditional dance, song, storytelling and poetry. They were also given a tour around the museum of country life at Aden Country Park, getting a chance to see what everyday life was like in their area in the past.
The two following video extracts from one of the days show pupils reciting the poems 'My Hoggie' and 'Address to the Toothache' by Robert Burns.
QuickTime video: My Hoggie
What will I do gin my Hoggie die ?
My joy, my pride, my Hoggie!
My only beast, I had nae mae,
And vow but I was vogie!
The lee-lang night we watch'd the fauld,
Me and my faithfu' doggie;
We heard nocht but the roaring linn,
Amang the braes sae scroggie.
QuickTime video: Address to the toothache
O thou grim, mischief-making chiel,
That gars the notes o discord squeel,
Till human kind aft dance a reel
In gore, a shoe-thick,
Gie a' the faes o Scotland's weal
A towmond's toothache!