Bonny Mary o' Clochandighter

Here’s a little insight into Clochandighter, a local hill in the vicinity of Portlethen and the source of the name of our community newsletter.

Clocahandighter lies about two miles uphill from Blairs College, and rather more than that south-west from the Blue Hill. It is 545 feet above sea level, and is the second highest point in the triangle of ground of which Aberdeen, Stonehaven and Culter are the apical points, i.e. it is nearly the highest point in some forty square miles of country, and its nearness to the centre of this area gives it a common outlook.

A poem exists for this place although the period of writing and the author have long since been lost in the mists of time.

Bonny Mary o’ Clochandighter

I’m weary and woefu’ and sair’s my heart the day

For her, my bonny Mary, that lives ayont the brae;

Yestreen she left me greetin’ by the south road o’ the Dee,

Because I had been suppin’ lang amanf the barley bree.

Fu’ well I’d like t’ sicht ‘er,

To haud her t’ me tichter;

Nae mair I’d seek t’ fricht ‘er,

Sweet lass o’ Clochandighter.

The mornin’ shine brings me nae cheer,

As dark as nicht, when she’s nae near;

Away, ye lilies, rose and hyacinth!

I pray the Lord we get No-licence!

But naething will yet richter

Sae lang’s I canna sicht ‘er,

Nor haud her t’ me tichter,

Sweet lass o’ Clochandighter.

I sit me doun on the lane hillside

To watch the Dee’s onrushing tide,

And mournin’ thoughts come to my heid,

An I long to join the peacefu’ deid.

But aye my heart grows lichter,

And aye my een grow brichter,

When I gaze upon the pictur’

O’ the lass o’ Clochandighter.