Hamish and Hazel, two haggis children went to a great haggis gathering – a picnic in Aberdeen. They wandered off and as children often do but were left behind by their huge family in the confusion of packing up. Follow their adventures around Aberdeenshire as they track down their family and meet some new friends along the way. The rhymes contain a mixture of Scots and the local dialect, Doric. Translations are available at the bottom!
Wi pooches full wi ramsons fur their grumpy haggis auntie
Auld Fergal lead the Hagglets alang the clatterin stream
As he trotted on he sang a tune sae happy and sae jaunty
And fur the twa wee Hagglets, this adventure wis a dream!
Syne he stopped tae point tae a curious sicht, mangst the grasses and the bluebells
A shady place they cuild explore – a hoosie full wi shells!
“Fit wye’s it here?” wee Hamish spiert, his eyes were aa aglow
“The Lady built it fur her bairns, a lang lang time ago”
“Can we bide and play a while?” wee Hazel Haggis cried
“Ach no, yer auntie’s nae awfy weel” Auld Uncle Fergal sighed
“Come awa ma weans, noo up the slope. We’ve nae sae far tae gang”
And on they hirpled up the hill tae Uncle Fergal’s sang.
Noo a tiny cratur saw oor freens that day as they gaed by
Can ye find him noo? He can see you, frae his hidin place sae sly.
Translation:
With pockets full of wild garlic for Freda, Uncle Fergal’s grumpy sister, they went along the noisy stream. Fergal jogged on ahead and sang a song and soon stopped to point out a folly – the Shell House. Hamish asked uncle Fergal why it was there and was told it was built by the lady of the big house for her children. The hagglets wanted to stay and play, but Uncle Fergal was anxious to get on to sick Auntie Freda and shooed them up the slope.
A small creature saw our friends as they went past. Can you find him? He can see you from his sly hiding place.