The Story Behind Houlet Studio
The taller of the two is The Auld Houlet, James Douglas. He was born on 14th April 1881 and died on 13th June 1977.
Last week we released a video on YouTube which detailed why we called our business ‘Houlet Studio’. If you watched it you will know there is a family tie to the name ‘Houlet’ and we thought it would be fitting to share a picture of James Douglas (The Auld Houlet), Lorna’s great great grandfather.
We also thought it would be cool to post the sections of the famous Rabbie Burns poems/songs where ‘Houlet’ is mentioned. For more information on Robert Burns check out the Scottish Poetry Library.
““What will I do gin my hoggie die?
My joy, my pride, my hoggie!
My only beast, I had nae mae,
And vow but I was vogie!
The lee-lang night we watched the fauld,
Me and my faithfu’ doggie;
We heard nocht but the roaring linn
Amang the braes sae scoggie.
But the houlet cry’d frae the castle wa’,
The blitter frae the boggie,
The tod reply’d upon the hill:
I trembled for my hoggie.
When day did daw, and cocks did craw,
The morning it was foggie,
An unco tyke lap o’er the dyke,
And maist has kill’d my hoggie!””
“Weel mounted on his gray mare, Meg—
A better never lifted leg—
Tam skelpit on thro’ dub and mire;
Despisin’ wind and rain and fire.
Whiles holding fast his gude blue bonnet;
Whiles crooning o’er some auld Scots sonnet;
Whiles glowring round wi’ prudent cares,
Lest bogles catch him unawares:
Kirk-Alloway was drawing nigh,
Whare ghaists and houlets nightly cry.”
You can watch our “The Story Behind Houlet Studio” video here:
