THE FIDDLERS OF STRATHSPEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3782, 7 September 1926, Page 85

THE FIDDLERS OF STRATHSPEY.

By

Kosmo.

Tt was a wild winter night in the ’eighties of last century when Bill, Mac, and I foregathered round the cheeiy blazing parlour fire in Mac’s house. The wind roared in wild blasts round the chimney head, bringing with it heavy showers of rain, which dashed against the window panes like hailstones in a storm. The window frames shook and rattled with the violence of the gale, which whistled about the house in an eerie fashion, as if all the weird spirits of air were abroad and holding high carnival. We had been talking about Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle, and discussing other legendary lore, when Mac, in the act of lighting his pipe, put the question: “Have you ever heard the tale of the two fiddlers from Strathspey that got bewitched by the fairies at Toinnahuricli ?” ~ Receiving from us a negative reply, he told us the following story, which is traditional of Inverness. Once upon a time —how long ago I can’t tell you —they had a very bad spring and summer in Strathspey, which, as you know', is famous for its fiddlers and its dance tunes, and the harvest was of such a lean character that the prospects for the winter were of anything but a promising nature, and business was in a bad way all round, compelling ‘many of the natives of the Strath to cast about for some way of supplementing their means of livelihood by extraneous employment. Among others who, thus, by force of circumstances were driven to go further afield in order to obtain the wherewithal to support themselves and their dependents, w’ere two w T ell-known Strathspey fiddlers, Thomas Gumming and Farquhar Grant, who resolved to visit the Highland capital, and there, by their dexterity in their favourite art, to extract as itinerant musicians from the passers-by the funds they and their families were so much in need of. It was near the Christmas time when they arrived at Lochgorm, which is a little to the east of the town, as it was in those days, and the weather w T as of the “good old winter” kind, being keen and frosty.

They wended their way along East street (now High street) to the head of Bridge street, near the riverside, wdierc were then situated some of the best houses in the ancient burgh. Having reached their vantage point, they began playing those lively airs, reels, and strathspeys which have always such a fascination for Scots, and especially Highlanders, whose blood they set racing through their veins in quick time, and whose feet they start itching to trip it merrily in the mazy dance. Their energetical and skilfully-wfielded bows danced over the catgut strings with all the mastery of which they were possessed, and the strains of the merry music floated on the frosty air, but, play as they might, changing from one lively tune to another, their efforts met with little or no reward. Sometimes a passerby would stop and listen for a minute or two, and then pass on without proffering any coin of the realm to the strolling

musicians, whose fingers began to grow numb from the effects of the hard frost and the want of food.

Evening had come and they had made nothing worth speaking of by their efforts. As they moved down Bridge street there w r ere borne to their olfactory senses the fragrant odours of meat cooking for the evening meals in the houses on either side of them. These were as maddening and ad unsatisfactory as the cup of Tantalus, and seemed to aggravate their pangs of hunger to an almost unbearable extent. In the interval between two tunes they looked questioningly at each other, and Thomas remarked, “Well, Farquhar, we would be better sitting around a peat fire in the Strath, with a bowl of brose for our supper, than starving in the streets at CJaclmacuddin, whateffer.”

“Acli, aye! You’re richt, Thomas,” quoth Farquhar, “it’s not much for back or stomach we’ll get here, I’m afraid.” By this time they had reached the bottom of the street, where it abuts on the River Ness, and near which stood the ancient fovtalice-like building called Castle Tolmie, which had strange oldfashioned pepper-box turrets and queer turnpike staircases. The streets were almost deserted by the time, and they were debating between themselves what they w’ould do to procure their supper and a lodging for the night, when, from the shadows cast by the baronial pile, they observed the approach of an old r’p-i of Uo-.evoVnt and venerable appearance, w-hose kindly aspect, as he came Ji 6“ to Liieni, seemed to promise a better recompense for their efforts than had up to then been their lot. The old gentleman, smiling genially, accosted them in a manner which betokened some familiarity w ith their persons and the locality from which they hailed. He exclaimed: “Well, how are you getting on here, and how are all my old friends at Tullochgorum ? ” The two Strathspey men were much surprised at being greeted thus by one who was a perfect stranger to them, but with native politeness and gravity they courteously responded: “ Very poorly, sir, indeed.” The ancient wayfarer gazed at them musingly for a moment or two, as if in a reminiscent mood, then: “Ay, aye,” quoth lie; “it is in much need of our good folks who used to be such a help and blessing to the people there, but, excuse me, am I right in thinking you want employment in your profession as fiddlers, for, if so, you’re the very men I’m looking for, as we want your music ? ” Having assured them, he requested them to follow , him. The Strathspey men, glad in tlieir extremity at the prospect of immediate employment and the money it promised, thanked him profusely for his timely offer. They stowed their instruments in their separate bags and prepared to follow tlieir potential benefactor. Old as the stranger appeared to be he seemed possessed of the energy of youth, for lie set off at a raking pace which the Strath men found difficult to maintain. By the time they got to the western end of the old wooden bridge, which then spanned the Ness at this point, the}' w r ere “ peeking ” along behind tlieir guide, who in no way appeared distressed by his efforts. “Are you coming, lads?” he called to them in the darkness. “ Ay, aye, sir,” they replied; “ we are doing our best to keep up with you, but you clean beat us for walking," indeed, indeed.” They liad not gone much farther when the old man’s voice came sharply to them: “ Make haste there you, Ferracher, of Fesliie, our folks will wonder what’s keeping us.” “ Goodness, gracious ! Farquhar, the gentleman knows us, whateffer,” said Thomas to his companion in what was meant for a whisper, but apparently the remark was overheard by the ancient one, for he called out: “ Ay, hurry up you, too, Tom o’ Torran, or my people will be impatient.” The way led in the direction where Tom-na-hwich street now stands, and on past some thatched “ black houses,” and over rough, unploughed land till they reached the base of the curious, detached, hilly mound, shaped like an upturned boat, called Tom-na-hwich. By this time Thomas and Farquhar were fairly out of breath as the result of their unwonted exertions, and, moreover, they began to wonder who their conductor was, and where he was leading them to. He, on the other hand, seemed not one whit the worse of his strenuous efforts. He began to ascend the side of the steep hill with all the nimbleness of a “ whitteriek ” chasing a rabbit. The Strath men, now thoroughly afraid of their guide and their surroundings, would fain have held back, but they were impelled forward by some mysterious force which they were unable to resist, try as they might. When they were about halfway up the hill their conductor suddenly stopped at a part where the ground was almost level for some distance around. Here he stamped his foot upon the earth, when, as if by magic, there was an almost blinding brilliancy of light, disclosing a passage w'hich led into the very heart of the hill. Their guide waved his hand as if bidding them to enter. Obeying his gesture, they advanced into a huge apartment, dazzlingly lighted, where sights met their bewildered gaze, which forced them to the conclusion that they were in some palace of enchantment.

Above them was a roof which seemed of burnished gold, supported by fluted pillars of the same material, encrusted with precious stones of various kinds and colours, which seemed to flash fire in the brilliant blaze of light. The walls were lined with what seemed huge mirrors wherein were reflected in all their splendour the glitter and beauty of the surroundings. In alcoves, round the sides of the magnificent saloon, were tables of sparkling crystal loaded with tempting viands, delicious fruits, and choice liquors of every conceivable variety and description. The fiddlers looked at each other in bewildered amazement as the grandeur of the scene around them gradually stole in upon them. Never in their most imaginative moments had they conceived of such apparently sumptuous magnificence. Farquhar tried to convey his thoughts to his companion by speech, but he found he was tongue-tied; not a single word could he utter, his eves had to do duty for his tongue, and his eloquent glances rendered audible speech quite unnecessary. While they w r erc thus gazing, spellbound, at their amazing environment, their attention was diverted by the opening of a large door at the far end of the gorgeous apartment. Through this portal trooped a long train of beautifully-clad and handsomely featured beings of diminutive stature, perfectly proportioned, and of graceful carriage and action. They were apparently of both sexes as far as one could judge by their garments. The ladies were -habited in the richest materials to represent various kinds of flowers. On Shapely heads rested golden circlets set with gems imitating the colours of the rainbow. The iridescent sparkle from these precious stones as they refracted the brilliant lights of the immense salon was beautiful to behold. The gentlemen were apparelled in tight-fitting doublets and trunk breeches over long, tight-fitting hose which reached to the thighs. The necks and cuffs of the doublets were trimmed with gold lace. Down the fronts of these upper garments w r ere three vertical rows of gems. Oil the right breast emeralds, in the centre diamonds, and on the left rubies. Each gentleman (if we be permitted to use such a term in relation to beings of a supernatural race) *vore a belt round his waist made up of links of silver and gold, superbly polished,, and having clasps which were jewelled in various devices. Their leader, who was more splendidly garbed than any of them, w'as the erstwhile guide of our two wandering minstrels, but his metamorphosis was so complete that they failed to recognise him when lie came up to them and bade them sit down and cat of the plentiful supply of beautiful comestibles and drinkables provided. Nothing loth were they to set to, for tlieir appetites were as sharp as newlyground Damascus blades. The keen frost and their long fast had made them ravenous. Also, the attractiveness of the banquet spread before their eyes w as such that it stimulated the gustatory juices to a preconception of the delightful time ahead. They sat down and ate heartily, and, having consumed freely of the* solids, they finished up with copious draughts of the liquid refreshments, cordials of a marvellous bouquet and strength such as not even the famous uisge beatlia of the ‘Svee stills*’ of their native district could boast of. Tlieir feast being over, Thomas and Farquhar were led to a dais at the other side of the hall, and, having arrived there, they w'ere requested to play. They tuned up, and soon strathspey, reel, and jig set the lancers merrily moving. Never had the fiddlers seen such dancing anywhere, although they had had extensive experience. Each individual tripped it joyously as if to the manner born. Their movements were, indeed, thg poetry of motion. Grace and beauty blended in every evolution as they wound in and out. Tlieir radiant countenances were eloquent of their whole-hearted enjoyment. Farquhar and Thomas’s fiddles and bow's seemed to partake of the magic of the occasion. Never once did a string snap, nor did they require to renew the resin on their bows. At the intervals they were assiduously plied with liquid refreshments, which infused their bodies with new vigour. How the time sped they did not know' and hardly cared. The spirit of the occasion possessed them. Every nerve in their bodies tingled with a passionate delight in the joyous sprightliness of their ow'n music. Their surroundings intoxicated them with all their splendour and beauty so that they would have kept going on without one thought of friends or home. But, at last while they W'ere still strenuously fiddling, the old friend, their quondam guide, appeared as they had first niet him and said: — “Well done, Ferracliar o’’ Feshie and Tom o’ Torran! You have indeed excelled yourselves on this occasion and done great credit to your native strath. Come with ine to get your payment, for you’ve well deserved it, and a handsome one it shall be.” They put up their fiddles and how's and followed him to the entrance hall, where he put a purse of gold in the hand of each of them, remarking:— “Here are the rewards for your services, and I hope they will satisfy you.” Tom Gumming ejaculated—“ Satisfy us, indeed! God bless you and your people!” Scarcely had the words escaped him w’hen the old man, the fairy palace, and all tlieir surroundings, disappeared, and

they found themselves on the hillside with the daylight streaming around them. They set out for Inverness as fast as they could travel. As they went along they noted that their environment was very different to what they recollected of it. Instead of rough, untilled ground, stone-strewn and bristling with whin bushes, they saw cultivated fields of waving corn. Where the “black houses” had been there was now a street of neat thatched cottages. The old oak bridge across the Ness had given place to a seven-arched one of stone and lime. Tho people in the town were differently ami better dressed as compared with what they remembered of them. The streets and buildings were also altered. Slated and stone houses had replaced thatched and timber ones. When they spoke to chance wayfarers they could not understand them nor be understood by them. Even their ‘very Gaelic speech seemed archaic and uncouth. Castle Tolmie was still there, but otherwise there were many changes. The passers-by stared at them as if they were strange creatures of a long-past age. The urchins in the streets jeered at them. When they endeavoured to relate their story, they were regarded as lunatics and imposters. In high dudgeon, and filled with great disgust, they set out for their native strath. Arrived there they found they were in no better case. The whole district had undergone a complete change. Their crofts were occupied by people they knew nothing of. The clachans were completely altered and their inhabitants were entire strangers. They sought an explanation of these remarkable facts in themselves. Had they been bewitched by fairy magic and been absent for a long period of years, although they thought it had been but a short time? They visited the parish church and churchyard. The old small unpretentious edifice had gone, and a new one had taken its place. Among the gravestones they found those of their wives and and families. They inquired what day, month, iyid year it was, and found tlieir relatives had died over 100 years before. It being the Sabbath day, they stood in the doorway to watch the intending worshippers enter the sacred building. Not one did they recognise, and by none were they recognised. They entered the church and stood just inside the doorway. They saw the beadle place the “books” on the desk, and the minister enter the pulpit. They observed many eyes fixed upon them as if they were antiques, curiosities from a past age. The minister opened the Bible and began to read. When lie came to the name of the Deity the two odd figures, standing near the door, disappeared from view'. They had crumbled into dust in the very sight of the congregation. The magic spell which had held them in human shape beyond tlieir allotted span had lost its power when tiie Holy Name was pronounced and the earthly bodies had been dissolved into dust.—The Weekly Scotsman.