We cycled past the old Hanging Tree just outsider Braemar, on Saturday.
In 1589 following the hanging of a Lamont of Inverey by the Farquharsons, the victim's mother cursed his killers. Just as the hanging was taking place, his mother called out :
'This tree will flourish high and broad, Green as it grows today, When from the banks o' the bonnie Dee, Clan Fionnlaidh's (Farquharsons) all away.'
The prophesy did come true, somewhat, as the male line of the Invercauld Farquharsons failed in 1805 and the tree did not die until 1920 when it was blown over in a big storm.
The Farquharsons, however, do continue to own the Invercauld Estate.
The remains of the tree were moved and it was uprighted in this position, held in place by wired cables. A ghoulish reminder of the past.
It's a sober reminder of how people lived and in what manner the law was applied during those years. I think hanging is still a somewhat kinder and quicker method than drawing and quartering - the agony!
Quite the tree - I can almost imagine I see a person hanging on the one branch sticking out to the right 🫣
It's actually a beautiful tree, if you put aside the rather gruesome history; I love the swirly spiral pattern of the bark. Interesting photograph!
@kork The Laird of Inverey, the person hanged, was accused of stealing sheep from the Farquharsons. Seemingly it was a set up as the Farquharsons wanted him out of the way!
June 22nd, 2023
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Quite the tree - I can almost imagine I see a person hanging on the one branch sticking out to the right 🫣
It's actually a beautiful tree, if you put aside the rather gruesome history; I love the swirly spiral pattern of the bark. Interesting photograph!