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Motion · S5M-15631 · 29 Jan 2019

Ally Bally Bee

Lodged by Christine Grahame Members' Business Motion 16 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament welcomes the commissioning of a statue of the Galashiels weaver and sweetmaker, Robert Coltart, to be made by the Innerleithen-based sculptor, Angela Hunter, and placed in the town’s Market Square; notes that Coltart, who was predominantly a weaver, made Coulter’s Candy to supplement his income; further notes that he penned the song, Ally Bally Bee, in the mid-19th century to boost its sales, and sang it to attract customers as he visited Borders' fairs and markets; understands that, while the recipe for the sweets unfortunately died with Coltart in 1880, the song has continued to be popular as a nursery rhyme with children, receiving a boost when it was published in a newspaper in the 1950s; considers that such local rhymes and songs represent an important part of Scotland’s history and culture, and that many children sing these Scottish songs unaware of their pedigree, and believes that it is important that such folk memory, often using the Scots language, is recognised and preserved for future generations.

Supporters (16)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.