Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 20, 1909.djvu/545



The following notes were compiled from the local paragraphs in the Aberdeen Free Press and The Scotsman for Jan. 2nd, 1909.

Dornoch.—The all but obsolete game of "bools" was engaged in on the links by about 50 people.

Kirkcaldy.—Ravenscraig Castle was, as usual, thrown open to the public for the day, and the ancient game of "Bawbee she Kyles" was taken part in.

Kirkwall.—The chief form of amusement was the ball playing. … The ball for boys fell to the Down-the-gates; that for youths to the Up-the-gates. The struggle for the men's ball was a most determined one, and … ultimately the Up-the-gates were victorious. (Cf. Gomme, The Traditional Games of England, etc., vol. i., pp. 135-7.)

Wemyss.—The "Kyles," a game peculiar to Wemyss, was played yesterday, when the medal was won by Thos. Coventry, W. Wyles, a former winner, being runner up. [This game is played with a metal ball and leather thong.]

Kelso.—Bands of youngsters were out "guizanting." (Guizan- ting is synonymous with guizing. A long account of "The Dying Guizard," or guizer, appeared in The Scotsman, Dec. 31st, 1902.)