Synopsis

'Nae fae a learned pen' is a nostalgic look back at life written in the local dialect by Stanley Clark Duncan Robertson in poetic form. Many will recall how life used to be growing up in the last century and how times have maybe not changed as much as we think.

Under the pseudonym of SCARDOGAN, this book has been collated with over 150 various stories of local incidents, work colleagues, social nights out in the community of Banchory-Devenick, plus many other interesting anecdotes relating to Aberdeenshire life and the people themselves.

Born in 1911, and having lived in Chapel of Garioch and then Banchory-Devenick, Stanley was continually scribbling down interesting notes for his own amusement. He himself worked at Inverurie Loco Works and then William Tawse Limited, plus he and his wife owned the local Post Office and Shop and many stories emanate from his working life, and the characters that he encountered.

His work is visual as well as both funny and moving. We can all recognise someone we know being in the same situations described.

 

About the Author - Stanley Clark Duncan Robertson, 1911-1984

Born as the twelfth child of fifteen to James and Lizzie Robertson, Stanley was born and brought up at Pitcaple. His father died when he was young and Stanley took on the role of looking after his mother and sister in their small croft. He commenced his working life at Kennethmont Railway and when the Second World War broke out, Stanley being involved in the railways was excused from active duty. He met his wife of 40 years, Ina Wyness and together they settled down at Kennethmont before moving to Chapel of Garioch. There they had three children, Stanley Kenneth, Norma Alexina and Edith June. It was thanks to the drive and determination of Ina that the family purchased a post office and shop at Banchory-Devenick in 1957, that would give them many years of happiness. Ina ran the shop and Stanley had moved to work at Inverurie Loco Works. Being a busy community the shop was hard work and they both spent many hours serving the local people and being more than just a service. Stanley was an active member in the local community and contributed to many social night outs as his prowess with the spoken word received recognition. He took an interest in the local kirk and served Banchory-Devenick well for many years.

When the Loco Works closed, Stanley became a traveller for "Gavin and Gill" a local farming supply company. This was not a job that suited his capabilities and he then went back to the railways with a position at Dyce Station. After a few years, he then moved to William Tawse Limited (now part of the Hall & Tawse group), and it was there that he spent his last few years of working life being the local handyman. As his family grew up, Stanley became a grandfather many times over. His love for his family and friends was always evident and he liked nothing better than being surrounded by his fowk.

He enjoyed the outdoor life and spent many an hour pottering about in his garden. He was a character, someone that the local people enjoyed having a news with and both young and old will fondly remember him as the "Shoppie Mannie".

How the book came about...

The collection has been put together by Derek Cruickshank who along with his mother, Norma Cruickshank, daughter of the late Stanley Clark Duncan Robertson (Scardogan), have spent a couple of years deciphering all the scrap pieces of paper and hand written scribbles that was the work of this unknown talent.

"Now I don't know if its Doric or not. It was mum that came up with the book title - we thought long and hard and were not sure if it could be classed as Doric poems or not, that's why we mention 'is a nostalgic look back at life written in the local dialect' - mum then found a reference in a poem 'Nae fae a learned pen' and we thought that was perfect. So Scardogan named his own book."

"We have over the years made donations to Ward 7 (former Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Anchor Unit) and to Cancer Research with any profits we have made on the sales of this book. The book was never published to make money - we wanted more people to enjoy this book and the poems. It's the type of book that never ages and can sit around on coffee tables to pick up now and again. Over the years we have sold books to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Germany. We've even sold quite a few copies to a bookstore in Eastbourne."

"We pay tribute to the many people who are mentioned in this book and hope that they enjoy reminiscing times gone by as we have done in compiling this edition. It was often mentioned during his life that it would be good seeing his efforts published. Now, many years after his death, we have accomplished this goal. So Dad and Granda, we hope you are pleased to know that we've done it and that many people will get the opportunity to read your insight to life and understand your thoughts and feelings".

Derek Cruickshank, Shanks Publishing, 2011

Publisher

ISBN 0-9545315-0-7
© Scardogan 2003

All Rights Reserved

Published by Shanks Publishing (Banchory-Devenick)
Printed by David Winter & Son Limited

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