THE BUCHAN HERITAGE SOCIETY

MOTTO "DINNA TINE'T"

"To be kept in it's natural idiom for all time"

Gavin Greig M.A.

The Society was founded in March 1984 by our Founder President Mr James M Duncan, in order to keep alive in a fast changing world all the old and true traditions of Buchan in Music, Song, Verse, Drama and Olde Tyme Dance.

 

With this in mind, Mr Duncan initiated monthly concerts every third Wednesday throughout the year. These concerts were, and continue to be, very popular. They consist mainly of performances and appearances of some of the most talented people from Buchan and this North East corner of Britain.

 

With a view to involving the younger people in these old traditions, the Society decided to hold an Annual Festival of Music, Song, Verse and Drama with competitions in different sections, for all age groups. Strichen, with its large public hall was found to be the perfect venue. To produce a Festival on this scale by a handful of people was a big step. It was after all just a small society of some 130 members with hardly any funds. However, with a lot of determination and hard work it was a complete success and continues still to be so.

 

After the re introduction of the Old Tyme Dance at our Festival, the Old Tyme Dancing flourished in the area and a number of groups started up and have continued to be very popular.

 

Mr James Duncan was instrumental in initiating the production of the Society's Annual Magazine called 'Heirskip'. 'Heirskip' is an old Scottish word for heritage or inheritance. This is an excellent magazine unique of its kind and much sought after by the folk of the North East, lovers of the Doric Language, and those who enjoy reading about the "old days" . The aim of 'Heirskip' is to reflect in print the aims of the Society and to preserve the heritage which is ours, a heritage which will be lost without some expenditure of effort on our part.

 

It has always been the aim of the Society to keep ever fresh the memory of those who were greatly talented and highly acclaimed in the area in the past. From time to time a special concert is held featuring many of our best musicians, entertainers, scholars, members and supporters to commemorate these people. Our first special evening was for John M Henderson - Fiddler, New Deer, and was followed by similar evenings to commemorate the memories of Gavin Greig Collector of Folk Song and Music, Whitehills, J C Milne Poet, Memsie, Peter Buchan - Poet, Peterhead, Charles Roy Skinner Life Member, Fraserburgh.

 

The Society erected a small plaque in memory of the late Hector MacAndrew in the grounds of Fyvie Castle, where for so many years he was the gardener.

 

We also established a Gavin Greig Memorial Competition Fund, which awards prizes to schoolchildren. This award is usually made at the Festival in May.

 

In September 1997 a Rowan tree was planted in the grounds of Aden Country Park Mintlaw in memory of our Founder President James M Duncan.

 

In September 1999 a Young Entertainer of the Year Competition was introduced to promote and encourage our younger generations and has proved very successful. The aim of the competition has its emphasis more on entertainment value than perfect performance but proficiency obviously plays a large part.

 

In April 2002 Ian Middleton of Arradoul was the subject of our next special evening which was held in Longside Parish Church Hall where compere Robert Lovie performed some of Ian's poems to perfection.

 

In October 2003 the society presented a complete set of "The Greig Duncan Folk Song Collection " to Aberdeenshire Schools Library Service for the use of youngster all over the north east. The presentation was made by Mrs E Watt, Gavin Greig's last surviving grandchild, at a special concert held in New Deer.

 

In November 2005 Rev. Charles Birnie, founder member, past chairman and society chaplain was presented with a CD and framed score of a tune entitled "Rev Charles John Birnie which was specially composed and played by James Alexander at a tribute concert held in the Ritchie Hall Strichen in his honour.

 

On 1st March 2009, along with the parishioners of Tyrie Parish a memorial stone was placed in Tyrie Kirk Yard to the memory of Rev Charles J. Birnie.

 

On 12th August 2009 "The Buchan Heritage Society" launched its first CD. This is a compilation of the poetry of John C Milne of Memsie from his books "The Orra Loon" and "Poems by John C Milne" narrated or sung in the Doric.

 

CD Information