Sunday Times
1st June 2008

"It Moved Me: A Country Schoolmaster, by James Shaw"

The singer and former Young Traditional Musician of the Year on the sometimes funny lore of Dumfriesshire

I was given this book as a wedding gift two years ago. Shaw was the schoolmaster in Tynron in Dumfriesshire, where I and my husband now live. I’m a bit of a local history buff so this guide to life in Tynron in the late 19th century is right up my street. I’ve always been fascinated by the people who lived where I live before I got there.

I haven’t read it cover to cover — it’s so dense with information — but I dip in and out at my leisure. Shaw wrote articles about anything and everything and after his death in 1896 a friend compiled them in this book. The other day I read one called ‘Left-handed folk’ and as I am left-handed too I was keen to read Shaw’s thoughts on the matter. Another is called ‘Are wild animals happy?’ Who knows? It’s so random, I feel a sense of excitement every time I open it up.

The folklore section is my favourite; I love his quirky observations. Some make me laugh — pearls of wisdom such as if a hare crosses you on your left it’s an evil omen but if it crosses you on your right you can expect a letter in two days.

I’m sure Tynron looks a lot like it did in his day. When he talks about an evening walk and I do the same walk, I can see his descriptions in my mind.

A former Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Emily Smith has a new album Too Long Away out now. She plays CCA, Glasgow, on Jun 12