THE poet Lillias Scott Forbes, daughter of the composer Francis George Scott, has died in St Andrews at the age of 94.
She wrote both in English and Scots. Here is a sharp little reflection on (and in) the guid Scots tongue. First published in Turning a Fresh Eye (Akros Publications, 1998), it can also be found in The Edinburgh Book of Twentieth-Century Scottish Poetry (EUP, 2005).
HALF-INCH TWEEDDALE
Coltherdscleugh and Cauldcleuchheid
Sae lang's ye mind thae words
Loupin oot at ye fae the hauf-inch Tweeddale map
Ye've sma cause tae be warsellin wi sair heid
Ower the demise o the guid Scots tongue;
No tae speak o' Meg's Shank or Catcleuch Shin,
Phenzhopehaugh, Tushielaw, Faw Side
An for a richt dowie dollop o glaur
For getting yer gruntles intae. . .
Muckle Dod Fell.
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