Balcomie House

BALCOMIE HOUSE. Scottish, Jig. F Major (Hunter, Martin): G Major (Miller). Standard tuning. AB (Hunter): AABB (Martin, Miller). There is a Balcomie Castle, Fife, that was begun in the 16th century and since has passed through several hands. Mary of Guise stayed there on her journey to marry King James V. The building featured at one time fine plaster ceilings which were removed and taken to Ayrshire where they were incorporated into Dean Castle. Perhaps the most interesting feature of Balcomie is that it is said to be haunted by the ghost of either a young man who was either starved to death within its walls or a boy who was hanged—the offense was the same in either case, because he would not stop whistling! Presumably it was not this tune that led to his demise, although this could perhaps be verified for it is said one can clearly hear whistling when the ghost is seen.

Printed sources: Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 305. Martin (Taigh na Teud), 1990; pg. 5 (appears as "Balconie House"). Miller (Fiddler's Throne), 2004; No. 4, pg. 15.

X:1
T:Balcomie House
L:1/8
M:6/8
K:F
A/B/|c2c Acf|c2d cAF|G2G G>FG|ABA GAB|
c2c Acf|c2d cAF|CEG BGE|F2A F2:|
|:A,/B,/|C2C A,CF|D2D B,DF|E2E CEG|F2F CFA|
C2C A,CF|D2D CDF| CEG BGE|F2A F2:|