Fit did they dee?

FREAK show performer, cod liver oil maker, land girl and highway robber.

All of these long lost local professions – as well as 41 many more besides – are included in a new book by a prolific Moray author.

'Fit Did They Dee Frae Moray' is the 20th work by the industrious Elgin resident John Sutherland.

Featured in its pages are the types of job nobody in Moray does any more.

There are the press gangs in Buckie who forcibly enlisted men into the navy to fight against Napoleon's France.

Working to outlaw the production of alcohol might not strictly be a profession.

However the following extract from the 'Elgin Courier' on July 2, 1830, was just too good for John to leave out of his book.

The paper stated: "We are credibly informed that a few days ago some individuals met at a public house east of Elgin for the purpose of forming a temperance society and actually got drunk while discussing the matter."

Then there's the bizarre but true tale of the aviator who carried out a manned balloon flight from Ladyhill. He got all the way to Pluscarden before crash landing.

Part of his balloon apparently fell down a house chimney, smashing some whisky-making equipment.

A small explosion ensued, causing a young girl who lived inside to be burned.

The balloonist subsequently faced prosecution but was found innocent of causing the accident on purpose.

Contrast this with the two grave robbers who, in 1817, were arrested in Keith for digging up corpses for medical research.

The pair were charged with "violating the sepulchre of the dead" and sentenced to four months in Banff Prison.

John, who lives on South Court off Hay Street, said: "I've spent over three years researching and writing this book. I'm thrilled with the results.

"It's not easy finding something in history which hasn't been done before, but I believe this book is unique."

Also included within the pages is a visit Oscar Wilde made to Forres shortly before Christmas in 1885.

The playwright and famous wit was in Moray to give a lecture on the subject of fashion to the Forres Free Church's Young Men's Literary Association.

What's more there's an account dating from 1913 of an attack launched by two Suffragettes on the then Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, as he was playing the 17th hole at Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth.

'Fit Did They Dee Frae Moray' will have its launch party at Elgin Library on Saturday, September 28, from 11am-12.30pm. All welcome.

The book will continue to be available for purchase at the library.

Priced £8, a total of £2 from each sale will go towards the local branch of Marie Curie.

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