The Hog family has lived in Blairydryne for hundreds of years. The land they farmed was once part of the lands belonging to the Lairds of Durris. 

 

One particular Hog, known as Arthur Hag, was a well respected farmer. He was known as an honest man by the other local farmers and the people of Banchory. He wasn’t overly rich, but he got by just fine. His animals grew fit and strong and his crops rarely failed. Having finished yet another long, hard day of work, Arthur was sat by his fire enjoying a well deserved bowl of stew and he heard a knock at the door. Arthur wondered to himself, who could possibly be knocking on his door at this hour? It was a dark and stormy night at the end of autumn, no sensible person should be out and about in this weather. 

 

Concerned it may be one of his neighbours need of assistance, he hurried up from his comfy armchair over to the door. When he opened the door what he saw before him was not a farming neighbour, but rather a group of strangers. They looked like they’d been through rather a rough time of it, though they were soaked the skin, covered in mud, their horses behind them looked tired and cold, and all had a slightly worried look on their faces.

 

The youngest to the group of strangers spoke first, ‘We were journeying over the Grampians when the storm started and we found ourselves stuck. The burns have turned into streams and rivers and the roads have turned into boggy messes. We can’t make any progress on the roads. Please, I beg of you to provide shelter for our master, the Gudeman of Ballengeich.’

 

Arthur was a good and honest man. He welcomed the Gudeman of Ballengeich into his home along with his companions and allowed the men to shelter their horses in his barn. Once the horses were comfortable, they all sat around the fire, ate, and drank, and before long, all were fast asleep.

 

They hoped to perhaps the next day, be able to venture out on their journey, but when they arose, the storm had grown even worse. The roads and streams were now completely impassable and so Arthur continued to provide food, warmth, and shelter to this group of strangers. They spoke of their journey and they talked of farming, the country, and life, but avoided questions in relation to their jobs, and why they were travelling across Scotland. Arthur, being a respectful man, thought better than to pester them about things they didn’t want to talk about. 

 

The storm ended up lasting for several days, but finally the rain stopped. The clouds cleared, the winds dropped, and the streams began to return to their usual form. As the Gudeman and his friends got ready to leave, the Gudeman tried to give Arthur some money for taking the men and providing them with food and shelter, but Arthur refused, stating, ‘I may not have much, but what I have I’m happy to share with those in need. I worked hard and am proud of the work I do, and I’m proud of my good name.’

 

The Gudeman smiled, Arthur shook his hand, and as he turned to leave, he said, ‘Always remember my friend, a good name gives strength.’

 

After the strangers visited Arthur, his life went back to normal. He worked hard, farmed his land, and about a year later, he barely thought of the strangers. But one day, he received a letter from the great Marshal of Scotland containing a document from King James V granting the lands of Blairydryne to Arthur Hog. 

 

As Arthur stared at the document, he noticed next to king’s signature were the words The Gudeman of Ballengeich. It turned out the farmer had actually been playing host to the king’s guards for those days during the storm, and so as a reward for his kindness and generosity, the king had granted him the lands he farmed. From that that day forth, he would not just be a farmer, but a Laird as well. And if you venture out to Raemore House, you’ll find its grounds Ha Hoose, which above the door has Arthur’s coat of arms bearing the words: A good name gives strength.

 

Adapted from A Good Name Gives Strength from Legends of  North-East Scotland by Fenton Wyness.