Brechin Brig (by Eric Wm. Walker)
Photographs of, and around, Brechin Brig
I came across a poem related to the story of the Old Brechin Bridge which has spanned the River Southesk for centuries.
There was a ford across from at least the time of the Roman Legions' advance North under their Commander, Agricola, in 83 A.D., and somewhere in the Grampian Mountains to the North is the site of the great battle of Mons Grapius fought between Agricola's battle hardened troops and those of the Pictish leader Galgacus.
Brechin Bridge has witnessed the crossing of many armies during its long life and even during World War II was heavily defended against invasion by German troops, which thankfully never took place
"The Brig", as it has always been known to Brechiners, has always been a favourite meeting place for locals during their leisure time. Retired men still meet there to start their daily walk around the beautiful trails through woodlands and by road. "Roond Digity or the Roch Moss or ower the Hill", or "Roond by Burkhill (from the name of the ruined Knights Templar Chapel of Botherkill in the wood nearby) and hame by the Stannochy Brig". Many are content to stand and watch the river flowing down, under the bridge during it's journey from Broad Cairn, high up in the Cairngorm Mountains above Glen Doll and on towards the North Sea at Montrose. From the sea, the salmon come up the river during Spring to spawn in various areas far up the river. Well known, for it's salmon and trout fishing, the River South Esk was once much frequented by illegal fishers, or as they are known, poachers. However, there is not much poaching done nowadays as a a result of the rearing of salmon at commercial fish farms.
Not much swimming is done in the river now, mainly because of the danger caused by pollution of the water. Back in the 1930s and 40s the banks of the Southesk was alive with young people "dookin" (swimming) in favourite deep holes such as "the Spootie; the Muffy; the Cuttie; the Dennies; and Craig Pool". Another favourite spot was the Brechin Brig itself, where you climbed up the stonework of the "Pointy", the breakwater between the two arches, and dived down into the deep hole below.
One of my interests a year ago was to go around the various bridges in and around Brechin photographing the many names, initials, drawings and other designs which had been carved into the parapets by people. Some carvings date back to the 1700's and tell a history of the area. There are over 175 in my collection so far, e.g. the man who built the first piloted aeroplane to be built in Brechin; soldiers from various wars, some even having served in India etc. during the days of Empire, and many from the two Great Wars of 1914 and 1940. Some are names of Polish soldiers, some of German and Italian prisoners of war. There are also those of various troops who trained in and around Brechin, Commandos; Canadians; troops from the Polish Army ,and Scottish and English Regiments billeted in Brechin. One set of carvings portrays Greek Heroes in various poses such as The Thinker; The Javelin Thrower; The Discus Thrower: and others. This particular set of carvings was done by the men who trained at the well known "Toll Hut" physical Culture Club, and were copies of the training poses of the international instructor of Body Building, Eugene Sandow. They were done many years ago and are decaying due to the weather. Yes, they are grafitti, but, like that done by the soldiers of Rome and others,they should be recorded as part of Brechin's history.
The above is only a part of the history of our beloved "Auld Brechin" and I would like to add a poem written about "The Brig" by a well known Brechiner of the past, Mr. James Paterson. It is written in the Brechin dialect or "Brechin Speak" and I shall add some translations at the end. I remember Jimmy well from when I started work in the weaving factory of Denburn Works - Dukes factory, or, Dukies" as it was popularly known - when I left school at age thirteen years. Jimmy Paterson worked in the cloth finishing department, and had been there for many years. Jimmy was a small man with a jolly face and laughing eyes and was very popular at work and also throughout Brechin. He lived down Bridge Street overlooking the River Southesk and about half a mile from Brechin Bridge where he could be seen often along with his "Cronies" sitting on one of the seats by the river, or standing on the Bridge looking up the river at the swans or towards Brechin Cathedral or the Castle.
THE AULD BRECHIN BRIG'S LAMENT
My faults and failings ne'er were sung
In by-gone days by old or young,
But now a thochtless chiel's begun
To chirp and chatter
And e'en declares I've stood too long
Abune the water.
Lang, lang and weel I've served the toon,
But now this vain, conceited loon
Has ta'en a thocht he'll seal my doom -
At least 'twould seem:
A braw new brig must late or soon
Adorn this stream!
'Tis said I'm old and out of date,
That I, deserve no better fate,
I, who defied the angry spate
Without a quiver!
But tongues that wag at such a rate
Are seldom clever.
With wistfu' e'e I'd aften gaze
On Burghill's bonnie woods and braes,
And fondly wish I'd end my days
E'en as I stand,
While wild birds sweetly tuned their lays
On ilka hand.
Nae langer noo at sober e'en
I'll gaze upon this restless stream,
Nor idly stand or fondly dream
On days of yore;
I'll say farewell, then quit the scene
For evermore .....
*****
THE REPLY
Take heart, auld brig, thy fate is mine,
I, too, one day must toe the line,
For friendship's sake and lang, lang syne
Come gie's your hand.
I'll be a worthy friend o' thine
As lang's you stand.
*****
J. Paterson, Bridge Street, Brechin, Angus, Scotland.
*****
The rhyme " The Auld Brechin Brig's Lament", was written using the.same same dialect as born and bred Brechiner's use today, although we can also use pure English if required, though some who wish to forget the old ways use English at all times. Sometimes to be understood by others from another district, or, just to sound a bit "up market". Below is an English interpretation of the meanings of some of the words you may have trouble with.
ne'er = never; thochtless = thoughtless; chiels = men; e'en = even/evening; abune = above; lang = long; weel = well; loon = youth; ta'en = taken; thocht = thought; braw = lovely; e'e = eye; aften = often; braes = steep paths; lay = minstrel's song; ilka = every; langer = longer; noo = now; yore = long ago; auld = old; syne = since (lang since = long ago); gie's = give me; cronies = friends;
Photographs of, and around, Brechin Brig