'Aikey Brae' Bothy Ballad, sung by Traditional Scottish Singer, Charlie Allen,

More Bothy Ballads from North-East Scotland from Gruntlesnoot, presenting (not for the first time) the Scots Bothy Ballad King, Charlie Allen. This is a song that every person connected with the Agricultural North- East of Scotland will surely remember - one of the best known Bothy Ballads Ever, 'Aikey Brae' or "The day we gaed tae Aikey' . This song celebrates and (to a lesser extent) laments the Horse Market which used to take place every year near New Deer, Auld Deer, Maud in North East Scotland. I did not realise it was such a phenomenal event till I listened to the words & found the images! I understand the horse market element of Aikey Fair petered out with the demise of the working heavy horse industry in the late 1940's , early 1950's .But in its day it was one of the highlights of North -East Scottish Agricultural life...... now regrettably passed & almost forgotten...( By the way, the moving images of heavy horses at the end, actually do not come from film footage of Aikey but from an agricultural show in England.Actual moving images from Aikey are difficult to obtain. I know there is some but I haven't viewed it yet.In the old photos of Aikey the horses look smaller and lighter somehow.

[@nancyengland9400]

Brilliant brings back memories of learning this when little.

[@gladyslow8036]

My father sang all these songs when we were bairns I wish I could hear him now regards from Ontario Canada

[@craptoo]

a great song by a great singer. Good to preserve the region's culture. As a laddie in the 50s, I went every year to Peter Fair, near Cullen, the ancient horse market that came immediately after Aikie.

[@briannobile5756]

I never get tired of listing to this song. Sung very well by Charlie

[@Dunbardoddy]

Brilliant!

[@charliechats9910]

I hinna heard "Aikey Brae" sung for a lang time. Charlie, Woodside, Aberdeen.

[@weewilma004]

my faither was bothy loon

[@davewood8574]

We met Charlie in Methlick by chance five days ago - he sang a verse of two of this. Magic

[@antolintinez]

Nice and strange music. There are a website with scottish music that perhaps you would like to navigate: triple w then a dot, then raretunes (all together) an another dot, and then org. Cheers!

[@DeeDon90]

you must have had a clear out and found " Aikey brae"
not the place it used to be well gruntlesoot what is.
nice to hear Charlie Allan

[@DeeDon90]

forgot to say YT has changed a few things i used to be "deedon90" but they want your
full name cheers

[@lewismacdonald5549]

Is this Charlie Allan from Methlick?

[@fionalow9757]

Aye about Methick