P6 Stories of Peterheid People

March 21, 2026Leave a comment

The p6s at Meethill School are not getting away without a post though! As part of the Aberdeenshire Museums Service Cultural Tides Doric Workshops, the P6s learned stories from Peterhead’s past, figured out 5 stages to each story (start, middle, end!) and started writing out the stories in Doric – they did amazingly well with the Doric spikkers in the class sharin fit they kent wi the ithers!

Weel deen P6 and thanks to the pupils and Miss Jango for working so hard

(and yes, P6 – I’m on the hunt for some CHEERY stories from Peterheid for you!)

Cultural Tides Doric Workshops at Meethill School – Wow!

March 21, 2026Leave a comment

My last post was about the first two Doric Workshops I ran at Meethill School for the Cultural Tides Project – and now I can share some results from the 3rd workshop!

The P5s joined me in creating a couple of Doric Rhymes – the first was about what they get up to in their spare time… and they did so well with that rhyme that we had time to create a second rhyme about their favourite words in Doric!

Here they are, along with the pupils AMAZING illustrations! I wanted to share ALL the drawings because I loved them so much, so click on the gallery to view each full size illustration

At the wikend wi nivver sit doon
Wir either skatin, crabbin or gaen doon I toon
The Lido’s gey hoochin wi faimlies waakin dugs
The soons o bairnies squealin fills wir lugs*

Skurries pinch wir pieces file wir puddlin in the waater
We’ll later ging tae Zanres fur a fine sausage in baatter!
Back hame tae wir hooses, jammies on an a buik tae read
Aifter aniter bonnie day wi freens, oot in Peterheid!

Tattiebogles, oxters, peekin bairns an lugs
Foggiebummers, bosies, puddock, doup an dugs
Hummel doddies, peely wally duncin, scunnert, feel
A o these are Doric wurds kent at Meethill Skweel!

Cultural Tides – Doric Workshops at Meethill School

March 11, 2026Leave a comment

As you can see from the second photo, it was a bright and sunny day up in Peterhead yesterday for my first visit to Meethill School as part of the Cultural Tides project organised by Aberdeenshire Museums Service !

I had great fun with the first two Doric workshops – an introduction to Doric in the morning where the P5 and 6 pupils had fun showing off how much Doric they knew, miming Doric words for eachother to guess (10/10 from what I saw!) and creating a Doric vocabulary for use in the other workshops.

In the afternoon they voted (very wisely!) for their favourite of 5 traditional songs connected with Peterheid and the surrounding area, decided what the song was “missing” and added a whole new verse (and a half! Watch this space)

I also got to see the school’s Storytelling Chair for the first time. (First photo) It was made by the folks at HMP Grampian in memory of Mr Black, who was the headteacher until 2024. there are amazing images from childrens’ books all over it and… some of my favourite Doric words!

Clockie’s Hoose Skeletons – Peterhead Trail Tours

July 31, 2025Leave a comment

For the lady on the last Guided Tour of Peterhead, an answer for you!

I was telling the tour about a couple of skeletons which were unearthed during the site clearance of the old Peterhead Music Hall following its fire in 1936. The Peterhead Trail suggests that they may have been militia men – maybe even deserters – who came to a sticky end at Clockie’s Hoose (full story here https://www.peterheadtrail.co.uk/the-peterhead-trail/blade-2 )

The question was – what happened to the skeletons? Where were they buried? I was half way through writing an email to the Aberdeenshire Burial Admin and thought I’d attach a newspaper clipping or two for context. Re-reading this one from the Buchan Observer and Aberdeenshire Advertiser (21st June 1939) it seems that the skeletons were unceremoniously “dispatched to the refuse tip at Keith Inch” !!

“No competent authority had the opportunity to study them as they were found, and in the surroundings in which they lay, with the view of passing judgement on their origin and probable antiquity.”

Can’t see that happening these days! Surely archaeologists would be called in?

ON SEA MONSTERS AND PETERHEAD PRISONS!

July 15, 2025Leave a comment

I had a super time today in Peterhead telling tales from The Peterhead Trail on a walking tour – thanks to everyone who came along and who asked some great questions and who told us their own memories and knowledge of the area!

I said at the end of the tour that I was amazed to find that my G-G-Grandfather’s run-in with “The Kraken” was not the only one. Sea Serpents and Monsters really were being spotted all round the coast! Here’s one of my favourites from the 9th February 1898 edition of the Dundee Courier – this time it’s The Buckie Sea Serpent!

I spoke to the storytelling group about my “globster” theory – Globsters are often thought of as “sea monsters” when they wash up on beaches, but are usually just decomposed whale carcases. Here is a photo of one which washed up on a beach in the Philippines in 2018. You can see the “hair” (which is just heavily decomposed muscle fibres) which I suspect the Boddam Kraken was covered in.

29 PRINCE STREET JAIL! I was asked when it was built and didnae ken! So I said I’d find oot –

Here’s where you’ll find how old the old jail on Prince Street was – https://www.peterheadtrail.co.uk/the-peterhead…/blade-18

The first Tolbooth – 1616 to 1645 – location unknown, burnt down to cleanse the area of the plague after contagious folk were “housed” there.

Second Tolbooth – Built some time between 1651 and 1660. Location was close to Threadneedle Street.

Current Townhouse – built 1788 on the site of the Tolbooth. It did have a cell known as “The Black Hole” (Trove link – https://www.trove.scot/place/21187 )

Prince Street Jail (now no 29!) – built 1842 and closed in 1874. Thanks to the ladies that told us the cells are still in the basement of the building which is now an affa nice hoose!

Peterhead Prison opened officially in 1888 (building started in 1886). It finally closed in 2013 with the new HMP and YOI Grampian opening in 2014.

Peterhead Tours and Stories over the Summer Holidays

July 8, 2025July 9, 2025Leave a comment

A fantastic turn out for today’s Peterhead Tour and for the storytelling session afterwards! Thanks so much to everyone who came along and of course to the kids and big kids that participated in the stories!!

“Thank you to everyone who attended our Peterhead Trail guided walk and storytelling session today by Pauline Cordiner, A Scottish Storyteller.

The guided walk and storytelling sessions take place again on Tuesdays 15th & 29th July and 5th August. Book online via https://www.peterheadtrail.co.uk/blog/step-into-the-past-free-family-friendly-peterhead-trail-guided-walking-tours-and-storytelling-sessions-this-summer-at-peterhead-drummers-corner?fbclid=IwY2xjawLbqgdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBycXZpeUJDQXBSeVRrdDFCAR402sU5z9SiWhj8VhuIUGbpp0GQQu09AUJ8oCKo8zuIcwaoPKDnyYovwpRsVA_aem_kyn6q34LMGBCkmKTG4KX6g

Peterhead Tours and Storytelling – throughout the Summer Holidays

July 6, 2025July 9, 2025Leave a comment

Now that we are back… Back… BACK!! From Glastonbury, it’s time for the first Peterhead Tour and Storytelling Session – TOMORROW at Drummers Corner!

Tomorrow’s tour is booked – but if you’re unable to attend the tours coming up on the 15th July, 29th July or 5th August, why not join us for the 1.30pm storytelling session! Stories will be catered to the audience there on the day – so I can cover some of the best tales from the walking tour.

“Peterhead Trail Guided Walking Tour

Are you eager to delve into the fascinating past of Peterhead? Join us for an unforgettable Peterhead Trail Guided Walking Tour.

Embark on a historic adventure and step back in time as our knowledgeable guide, Pauline, leads you through the streets of Peterhead. From familiar landmarks to stories of krakens and witches, uncover the stories that have shaped this coastal town into what it is today.

Explore hidden treasures whilst discovering hidden corners and secret spots that even the locals might not know about! This tour takes you on a journey to reveal the lesser-known tales and intriguing anecdotes that add depth to Peterhead’s history.

Learn from local expert Pauline who is a passionate historian and storyteller ready to share her expertise and insights with you.

Gain a deeper understanding of the town’s heritage, from its modest beginnings to its pivotal role in maritime trade and beyond.

This tour is aimed at families with children aged 8 and over due to the amount of walking and the stories that will be told.

Can’t manage the walking tour? We’ve got you covered! We are also hosting a free storytelling session on the same day from 1.30pm – 2.30pm in the Drum at Drummers Corner. Please note some of the same stories may be shared at the storytelling session as on this tour.

Tickets are FREE of charge and must be reserved in advance.

Meet at the Drum in Drummers Corner 10 minutes before start time to check in.

Free History Walking Tours of Peterhead – This Summer!

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025Leave a comment

Looking for something fun and educational to do with the family this summer? Step into the past with History Walking Tours of Peterhead led by Pauline Cordiner, A Scottish Storyteller !

From tales of plague and smuggling to the Scottish witch trials and WW2 secrets, discover the hidden stories that shaped Peterhead. These tours are based on the wonderful research done for The Peterhead Trail and will be packed with fascinating (and at times gory) history – perfect for curious minds aged 8 and up!

Tour Dates:
Tuesday 8th July
Tuesday 15th July
Tuesday 29th July
Tuesday 5th August

Tour Time: 11:30am – approx. 1 to 1.5 hours

Tours leave from Drummers Corner

Click here to book – https://www.peterheadtrail.co.uk/blog/step-into-the-past-free-family-friendly-peterhead-trail-guided-walking-tours-and-storytelling-sessions-this-summer-at-peterhead-drummers-corner?fbclid=IwY2xjawK44ONleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBkSGVOZ3RxTjBhdlBvZHo3AR5EZjurVdVtO3hhfZ-CuZYX5xPP5qaxSODVZAxKQl95YWrv8e76PyQ0ET9xKw_aem_HSAOD_s2DH94J8ZA6_64tg

Can’t manage the walking or prefer a more relaxed experience? Join us at Drummers Corner after each tour for a lively Storytelling Session — full of the same rich history, brought to life for all ages!

Storytelling Sessions: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Drummers Corner, Peterhead
Family-friendly & accessible

A Bloo Toon Tour

March 30, 2024Leave a comment

Fit a grand day for a tour of Peterheid!
Thanks so much everyone who came along to today’s tours of Peterhead based on The Peterhead Trail

The sun was out and it was truly the start of spring as we had tales of magistrates with double lives, the De’il causing a stooshie in kirk, a disorderly drinking den and of course Fa Hingit The Monkey!

Hopefully the tours will run again during the summer holidays as they proved to be very popular. And thanks so much to everyone who gave me their own stories of The Bloo Toon or emailed me resulting in more intriguing information! 🙂

The Peterhead Trail Tours

March 28, 2024Leave a comment

The last few weeks have been a quiet one for me – not having a voice does enforce no storytelling!

However I’ve been able to spend that time learning even more about the Cordiner family toon of Peterheid! My dad aye made sure I knew loads of stories from Boddam and the Bloo Toon, but thanks to the The Peterhead Trail, there’s so much more to share!

For those of you booked on the tours, I’m looking forward to sharing it all on Saturday!

Guided tour of The Peterhead Trail this Easter School Holiday

Learn from local expert Pauline who is a passionate historian and storyteller ready to share her expertise and insights with you. Gain a deeper understanding of the town’s heritage, from its modest beginnings to its pivotal role in maritime trade and beyond.

This tour is aimed at families with children aged 8 and over due to the amount of walking and the stories that will be told

Time Choices Available:

11.30am-12.30pm