CLAVIE CREW
REAdy to LIght up thE NIght
Fire ritual keeps up links with the past
SparkS and flames streaming in its wake, the
burning Clavie will be carried through Burghead
this January in an ancient fire ritual that has been
followed since the days of the pictish kings.
“The only time the Clavie was not lit was during
the Second World War – not least because many
of the crew were away fighting, and there were
blackout restrictions,” explained Clavie king Dan
ralph, who remembers being carried around with
the Clavie as an infant.
“When the war ended, Jimmy ‘peep’ Mckenzie,
Jimmy ‘Lichtie’ Mckenzie and my father, Jock
ralph, reassembled the Clavie crew, and on January
11, 1946, they carried the Clavie through the streets
of Burghead.
“There are now around 15 in the Clavie crew, and
we have a fair number of junior members joining
who bring huge enthusiasm. They are all Brochers
born and bred, continuing the tradition, like their
forefathers.
“It has always been part of my life. I remember
when I was 15 or 16, I was considered strong enough
to carry the Clavie. That is a milestone in a Brocher’s
life, almost an initiation into manhood.”
Carrying the Clavie is no mean feat. It is built from
half of an archangel tar barrel nailed onto a fourfoot-six-inch salmon fishing post, using the same
smiddy-made nail every year. a pictish throwing
stone is used to drive the nail home. Six barrel
n The Burning of the Clavie usually takes
place on January 11 – ‘Auld eel’ (Old Yule) in
the former Julian calendar. But as this year it
falls on a Sunday, it will be held on Saturday,
January 10 – out of respect for the Sabbath.
Dan ralph explained, “That wasn’t always
reciprocated. The Clavie was condemned by
the church in the 17th and 18th centuries as ‘an
abominable heathenish practice’.
“undoubtedly its origins are pre-Christian,”
he admitted. “The Winter Solstice on
December 21 is the shortest day. By January
11, we have exactly one hour more light in the
day. it becomes noticeable that mornings and
evenings are a wee bittie brighter.
“i’m sure that’s why our ancient Broch
ancestors decided to welcome back the sun in
their own spectacular and fiery way.”
BURGHEAD
POST OFFICE
®
Sandy would like to wish another
successful year at The Clavie
“1 year here
and still going
strong!”
Don’t miss
CLAVIE
NIGHT
SATURDAY
10th JANUARY
staves run from the bottom rim halfway down the
post. This provides the strength required, as when
it is first lit and fuelled, it weighs around two and a
half hundredweight (almost 130kg).
It is lit with a burning peat at Old Manse Dyke
in Granary Street at 6pm. Spitting sparks, it is then
hoisted into the sky and carried on a meandering
route, clockwise around the east side of the harbour
and through the old part of the town.
“We have to be really careful as we follow the
route, especially if there is snow on the ground,”
said Mr ralph. But then, that’s when the bonniest
Clavies take place – when there is snow on roofs to
reflect the glow of the flames. Those are images that
stick in your mind.”
Smouldering embers from the barrle are handed
out to certain householders along the route.
“They used to be thrown through the open doors
of privileged Brochers, but that was before the
days of fitted carpets… Now they are thrown onto
the doorstep, or handed over on a fire shovel. The
remnants of burned Clavie bring luck for the next
12 months. and it really works – it’s powerful stuff!
“Bits of burned Clavie are sent to exiled Brochers
abroad. I know some are sent to New Zealand, and
my daughter in Capetown in South africa will be
receiving a bit of the Clavie through the post this
year.”
The flaming barrel eventually reaches the top
of Doorie Hill – the site of an ancient pictish fort.
Hoisted onto a stone cairn, it is refuelled and left
to burn out. In the absence of a decent wind, the
Clavie crew add a special mix of fuel to the blazing
The Clavie is
paraded through the
streets of Burghead.
core. Flames leap ever higher, to squeals of delight
and wonder from the crowd. On occasion, the
whole hill will be ablaze.
as it breaks apart, townsfolk and visitors scramble
for shards of the burning embers to make sure of
their own good luck charm for the coming year.
Last year a record 4,000-strong crowd attended
the event.
“We don’t do this as a tourist attraction,” said Mr
ralph. “It’s in our genes, a continuation of tradition.
The STaTion hoTel Daniel Ralph and Sons, Burghead
Stuart, Corinne and
Staff wish everyone
a great
Clavie Night
2 Brander Street, Burghead
Tel (01343) 835416
Carpenter, Joiner, Funeral Director
Fourth Generation Family Owned Business
Established 1910
Personal service
Tel 01343 835 773
We look forward tae seein’ ye a’
in the Broch on Clavie Nicht
STATION GARAGE
STATION ROAD, BURGHEAD
ServiceS • repairS • MOTs
Wishing the Clavie Crew
all the best!
HOT FOaM car WaSH
Telephone (01343) 835723
20 Young Street
Burghead
Tel (01343) 835832
Shona and staff would like to
wish everyone a
safe and happy Clavie
Closed Monday • Late Night Thursday
Happy New year
to all BrocHers aNd
Visitors alike!
a' tHe Best to
tHe crew –
Hope it's a roariNg'
success!
Warm yersel' up wi' food
and a dram at The Bothy!
live Music and late licence
Open all day
16 Grant Street, Burghead
T: 01343 830006
www.facebook.com/BothyBurghead
In the time of the herring fishing, Burghead boats
working off the north coast of Ireland would set
light to a half firkin (barrel used for herring) and
swing it off the bows of their boats on January 11 to
show that they were Brochers.
“Fire is one of the elemental forces. It’s a tangible
link with the past. We all need that.”
advertising Feature
Daniel Ralph & Son
est 1910
Carpenter, Joiner
and Funeral direCtor
‘cladach’, 1 Brander street, Burghead, Moray
Tel (01343) 835773 • Fax (01343) 830739
Mobile 07831493523
e-mail: [email protected]
oDe Tae CReoSoTe
Yon ora stinkin poosianous bree,
That laves yer sheddie wid-worm free,
An’ stings yer een, an’ spiles yer claes,
When clartit on in summer days,
Wi’ tarry brushes.
It’s gran’ for clearin’ nose and throat,
Powerfa’ stuff the auld creosote,
An’ far afore yon watery strang,
That disna’ lest ye afa lang,
An’ comes in colours.
Nae modern hi-tec, wid preserves,
That boast aboot their ain deserves,
Are half as fine as tarry ile,
For killin’ rot an’ fungus vile,
An’ gien fairmer’s posts an’ rails a langer life.
The fire Gods hiv since time began,
Held oot tae us a welcome han’,
Thev’e smelt the tarry reek again,
They’re nae sat up there on their ain,
Withoot connection.
We’ve sent the vapours through the clouds,
Tae sting their een, an’ fool their shrouds,
They’ll be pleased, on Clavie nicht, nae doot,
Tae feel the flames, an’ smell Creosote,
Up there in the heavens.
The Houpmaners better watch the space,
Whar caravans their Wast beach grace,
Beach hutties micht be comin’ back,
But nae bricht colours - only black,
We’ve plenty o’t.
So ower ye come on Clavie nicht,
across the tarry path,
Tae help yer neighbours twa mile west,
aplaud the fire Gods wrath,
Ye winna need a sat nav, ye’ll find yer way wi eeze,
Jist haud yer noses tae the wind,
We’re blowin’ on the breeze.