Temperance Marches.

Each year the North East of Scotland Aberdeenshire villagers of Inverallochy, Cairnbulg and St Combs take part in a temperance walk to shake off the winter cobwebs. Each village in the Buchan Rathen Coast takes turns to host the walk which has been happening for over 160 years. 

The history of these walks dates back to an evangelical time in the villages when they were regenerated after a bad period during the 19th Century when there was much village fighting and drunkenness which only ended after an outbreak of cholera in 1847. After this epidemic the communities grew and turned to religion. The tradition of the temperance walks started at this time. 

Inverallochy and Cairnbulg are two fishing villages, only separated by a road, that once was a ditch.  

Inverallochy has first go and has their Temperance March on Christmas Day.  

Today, New Year's Day, they cross the road and Cairnbulg has their Temperance March.  Which was joined by the Dawn Patroller, and his camera.

Now I, for one, was deeply moved to see that this is not just for the oldies.  Young children, and teenagers, carrying on the traditions of this part of Scotland.

Before they set off a man with a loud voice asked, "Did any o ye hae a drink last night?"

And all the kids shouted, "Yes!"

As they moved around the village various stops were made for local worthies to come out and bash the drum.  One of which, from the DP's description was Count Dracula (not far from Slains Castle) but was probably the local vicar.

Tomorrow the Temperance March is at St.Combs.

None of the three villages had a pub.  Nor did they have 'offies'   Though now there is the local shoppies which have a very good selection of cans, bottles, wines, spirits, oh dear.  And also we have The Tufted Duck, a hotel with a bar situated some hundred yards from the South edge of St Combs.  It is the only restaurant in our corner which has a view of the sea from its windows.

Wee bit further than a march for us, but then we are not Temperance......