01/09/2026
THE LEERIE
I remember well, when living in Glasgow.. our ‘own’ wee leerie who would arrive on his bicycle at dusk, carrying his beautifully patinated wooden pole.. complete with a small naked flame at the top.. like a magic wand ( he always looked a very dark figure.. although not in any way sinister ) to turn on our gas street lights at dusk and then.. returning again at dawn, to complete his task !
I remember also the day he stopped coming… for it was today.. Sept 1st back in 1971 when the gas street lights in Glasgow were phased out and replaced by electric lights!
It was a poem, 'Dandie'… written by W. D. Cocker’s in 1929 who commented on the mystique of this shadowy figure:
Carryin’ his magic wand,
Like a sceptre beamin’,
Up the street the leerie comes;
A’ the lamps are gleamin’
We still don’t have gas in Glenelg.. however… we do enjoy the various offerings of light.. be it from indoors… out and about in the hills … perhaps a bit of fun fishing.. or just sitting around The Henge !
That will do just fine.
Ray & Fe. ❤️