Buchan and Banff by Motorhome
Banff
Born near Banff, Elspeth Buchan lived from 1739 to 1791.
She moved to Glasgow in 1760 and married Robert Buchan a potter from Greenock.
They had three children together but the marriage then broke down.
Elspeth returned to Banff for a period before returning to Glasgow in 1780.
She met a Church Minister from Irvine, the Rev Hugh White.
Elspeth convinced White that she was “the woman clothed with the sun.”
White assumed for himself the role of “man child.”
By 1783 the two had set up a community called the Buchanites in Irvine.
Elspeth claimed to have the power of prophesy.
None of this went down well with the Presbyterian Kirk.
The Kirk ejected White and had the Buchanites evicted from Irvine.
They settled on a farm at Closeburn near Thornhill.
Rumours soon began to circulate about the sect.
Largely because all its members lived together in a small number of rooms.
Among those contributing to the rumours was Robert Burns.
Possibly because he was thwarted in his advances towards a female member of the sect.
According to Burns;
“They lye and lodge all together and hold likewise a community of women.
It is another of their tenets that they can commit no mortal sin.”
Banff, on a nicer day
Members of the sect were often hit with sticks and stones as well as verbal abuse.
But “Friend Mother” was always there to ask if they had been hurt.
Their meetings were usually packed not only by members but by others.
Trying to dissuade their friends from being deluded by such fanatical nonsense.
There was one soon to achieve national recognition as the “Ploughman Bard of Scotland.”
Elspeth was becoming increasingly impatient to see the return of members from Irvine.
Mr Hunter and others had gone to Irvine to settle their affairs.
She sent many letters via the hand of Andrew Innes imploring them to return soon.
Andrew eventually returned with not only the missing members of the sect.
He also had a number of new ones who had been too afraid to leave with the main group.
Among this group was a young and beautiful girl called Jean Gardner.
It is alleged that Jean had an affair with Robert Burns.
Andrew Inness tells the story;
“When I was sent back from Thornhill for Mr Hunter, Jean Gardner came with me to Closeburn.
When we came in the neighbourhood of Tarbolton she seemed to be in a discomposed condition.
When I inquired the cause she said it was lest Burns the Poet should see her.
He would be sure to interrupt her for they had long been on terms of intimacy.
But we proceeded on our journey without meeting with any obstruction.”
Joseph Train concludes that she and not Jean Armour was the heroine of Burns affection.
Train adds that;
“Burns frequently visited her in the society both at New Cample and Auchengibbert.”
Buchan Hall
Elspeth Buchan died in 1791 and is said to be buried at Crocketford.
The Reverend White and a number of the Buchanites emigrated to the United States.
But there were still enough adherents left to stand watch over Elspeth’s grave.
On the 50th anniversary of her death in March 29 1841
The date on which she had prophesied she would rise from the dead.
The prophesy failed to come to pass and what was left of the sect dispersed.
I have my own idea of the whole affair;
Elspeth in the Barley
Fair whappit oot when the hervest’s o’er
A man fairly builds up a heid or twa o’ steam
Thinkin’ o’ the lassies o’ the sweetest flower
Elspeth in the barley in her gunny goon o’ green
Ye’re a hoot, Rab, ye’re a hoot.
Fair fu’ tae burstin’ wi’ haggis an’ wi’ neeps
An’ an awfy peculiar feelin’ deep within my troosers
Ninemile Bar’s where my bonnie lassie sleeps
Efter I’ve feenished tourin’ roon’ the boozers
Ye’d better scoot, Rab, ye’d better scoot.
Fair drunk wi’ passion is my unsteady gait
The lovely Elspeth Buchan is my awfy tasty bait
Wi’ my frame sae fu’ o’ longin’ her
Tae be lyin’ doon ding dongin’ her
Ye’re a brute, Rab, ye’re a brute.
Fairly excited is my arisen state
As I traipse like a stallion tae Elspeth’s gairden gate
Up tae the gunnels wi’ my belly fu’ o’ Guinness
Jist tae be telt by yon eegit Andrew Innes
She’s oot, Rab, she’s oot.
Burns’ Cottage
Motorhomers, pop along to the Burns’ Museum, it’s well worth a visit.
