The Black Sow Of Rimside Moor

Northumberland 23

Gavin Douglas Jul 24, 2007 08:22:04

Does any one know the full version of this ballad, or any more info about Black Sows in folklore?
Location: Rothbury -Alnwick road. New Moor House crossroads.
Rimside Moor near to the ruins of Old Moor House, where the old coach road passes.
Also near Snook Bank rock art site.

Rhiannon Jul 24, 2007 10:26:26

Replying to Gavin Douglas

I wonder whether the meaning's got any connection with the Black Pig Dyke that separates Ulster from the rest of Ireland? because there's always been movement between lowland scotland and northern ireland?
a little something here
http://www.scotchirish.net/The%20Plantation%20of%20Ulster.php4

and I guess you've seen stuff about the scary tailless/short-tailed/'cutty' black sow / Hwch Ddu Gwta.

but then again, the bit of the ballad here (which no doubt you've seen)
http://www.borderreivers.co.uk/Border%20Villages/Cheswick/Cheswick.htm
is pretty innocuous, so maybe it was just about a Nice black sow. And no doubt pigs would be a bit more obvious thing to sing about in days gone by.

Gavin Douglas Jul 27, 2007 20:40:57

Replying to Gavin Douglas

By the way, the dog in the picture was called Benlli Bach, (as oppose to Benlli Mawr) as I grew up at the foot of Foel Fenlli in Denbighshire, and used to exercise him there

http://www.vortigernstudies.org.uk/artcit/caerfen.htm

Rhiannon Feb 7, 2010 17:39:28

Replying to Gavin Douglas

Sorry to drag this thread back up again but I'm not sure this was actually mentioned in it, and I've just found mention of what the sow Is. I spotted it in the Denham Tracts and it rang a bell. It says "Rimside Black Sow is a large sandstone block on Rimside Hill, remarkably like the effigy of the animal it is supposed to represent." So if you spot it you'll know.