MAGIC FAIRY TREES
ELDER trees offer protection to fairies from negative spirits. They may become offended by the misuse of the wood from the elder. Folklore advises to never lay a baby in an elder wood cradle or fairies spirit the baby away or pinch them so that they bruise.
Elderberry wine is considered fairy wine. Drinking it is said to enable you to see fairies. Add dried elderberries to an incense mixture that you burn to attract fairies to a gathering.
The word Elder is derived from an old Anglo-Saxon word ‘aeld’ meaning fire, an association given to the Elder because of its use. The soft pith of an Elder branch pushes out easily and the tubes formed were used as pipes for blowing up fires, later Elder bellows were made for same effect. From this came the folklore name Pipe-Tree - and the belief that the most resonant horns were made from Elder trees grown in areas away from human habitation and away from the sound of a cocks-crow. Popguns and whistles had long been made from the Elder.
GETTING TO BUTTERDEAN & OTHER ACCESS INFORMATION Butterdean Wood is approx 750m south of the A199 at Gladsmuir. You can access it from six formal entrances. The majority of visitors come from the north (East Lothian Council own this bit of the wood) where there is a car park (at the wood’s main entrance off the unclassified road from Gladsmuir to Liberty Hall.) This ELC owned car park has space for 5-6 cars. There is a network of waymarked trails; one short circular walk through the eastern broadleaved section of the wood and a further longer circuit, taking in the coniferous area of the woodland.These can get muddy after heavy rain. Nearest public toilet – Haddington, Neilson Park Rd. (9am-8.30pm Summer & 9am-6pm Winter). Please check www.eastlothian.gov.uk for opening times and facilities. Nearest bus stop – A199 – Gladsmuir, approximately 0.75km to the north. Further information about public transport is available from Traveline – www.traveline.org.uk or phone 0871 200 2233.