Toast to the Scots Pine

**Bugbear** · 26th January 11, 06:45 PM

The Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) came up in PM discussions today. What a wonderful pine. They would not survive down here in the desert, or I would consider growing one.

To the gnarled, twisted, Scottish curmudgeon of pines.

I had to try to find something pine related from Robert Burns's, and so far there is a reference in "The Lass O' Ballochmyle":

Then pride might climb the slipp'ry steep,
Where frame and honours lofty shine;
And thirst of gold might tempt the deep,
Give me the cot below the pine,
To tend the flocks or till the soil;
And ev'ry day have joys divine
With the bonie lass o' Ballochmyle.

**Dale-of-Cedars** · 26th January 11, 07:49 PM

As a tree-lover, and being on the other end of that PM about Scottish trees, I had to look up a picture of a Scots Pine bonsai.

http://www.why-bonsai.com/bonsai_his...ots_pine1.html

What's the phrase in Scots for a 'wee bonny tree'?

**Bugbear** · 27th January 11, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Dale-of-Cedars

As a tree-lover, and being on the other end of that PM about Scottish trees, I had to look up a picture of a Scots Pine bonsai.

http://www.why-bonsai.com/bonsai_his...ots_pine1.html

What's the phrase in Scots for a 'wee bonny tree'?

Thanks for posting that, Dale.

Your post did not show up at first. I think the posts of new members do that some times, so the staff can make sure you aren't a spammer. I'm very sorry about that.

That's literati style. Very good style for a Scots pine.

**EagleJCS** · 27th January 11, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Dale-of-Cedars

What's the phrase in Scots for a 'wee bonny tree'?

In Scots: 'Wee bonnie tree'.

In Scots-Gaelic (not sure of the correct gender/word placement):
'goirid bòidhche craobh-ghiuthais' (literally: short bonnie pine-tree)

**Lallans** · 27th January 11, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by EagleJCS

In Scots: 'Wee bonnie tree'.

In Scots-Gaelic (not sure of the correct gender/word placement):
'goirid bòidhche craobh-ghiuthais' (literally: short bonnie pine-tree)

And the bonsai would be a wee bonnie tree in a wee bonnie tray... but both would sound the same in my family.

**ANCIENT OGILVIE HUNTING** · 27th January 11, 03:41 PM

I think it would be a BONNIE WEE TREE as opposed to a wee bonnie tree
not meaning to correct anyone or seem smug or impolite
just its a phrase i use every day talking to ma bonnie wee lad
my son thats my term of endearment for him as it was my fathers for me

**Bugbear** · 26th January 11, 10:29 PM

Hmmm... Burns does mention the lime and orange in, "Song-Will Ye Go To The Indies, My Mary?"
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1279/1279-h/1279-h.htm
Also, "Their Groves O'Sweet Myrtle."

Could have a Burns garden.