A fitting tribute has been made to an Aberdeenshire blacksmith with the anvil which he worked on for more than 30 years to remain at the smiddy for the next generation to use.
Dougie Reid – formerly of Pitmedden Smiddy, on the Learney Estate, near Torphins – died in December from cancer with a roup held at the weekend to sell off his old equipment.
However, one of Mr Reid’s last wishes was that the anvil – which had passed from blacksmith to blacksmith across generations at the smiddy – remain in place.
One of Mr Reid’s closest friends, Wattie Brown, said the roup had been a “sad day” but had seen a “good turnout” of people.
Mr Brown said: “Dougie left this old anvil. In his final wishes was for this anvil to be left for the next lad.”
He added: “A’body knew him and liked him. He was just was a character. I have always known him. It was general blacksmithing he did, he would make or have sorted anything.
“He was a bit of a character. A scrappy would come in aboot and Dougie was in over the back of the scrappy lorry having a look, seeing what there was.
“It was a great service to the locals he did. Torphins is a big farming community. It is a mixed community and we are fairly in need of a blacksmith.”
Mr Brown, a plant hire worker, added: “When you came in (to the smiddy) he’d say, “fit hiv you broken the day?” then say “there’s a shop aroon the corner”.
“At the same time it was all delaying tactics to see what he was going to do with what you’d brought in. He liked everyone, he loved bairns, old folks. I have never heard anybody say a bad word about him.
All manner of tools, machines and even vintage tractors belonging to Mr Reid were sold on at the event,
Mr Reid’s died last December at the age of 62 following a battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Linda, and children Rachel and Douglas.
Mr Reid was born at Woodend Croft, Torphins, and lived in the area his whole life.
He started working at Pitmedden Smiddy, which dates back to the late 1800s, when it was run by German former POW, Heinz Bohlert.
Keeping Dougie Reid company in his work for the past two years was the most unlikely of co-workers.
A cat – which he named Granville – turned up out of the blue one day and became part of life at the smiddy.
Mr Brown said: “Dougie started speaking to this cat and feeding it and it just became part of the smiddy.
“They contacted the owner and the cat went home but it just seemed to like making its home there. I think they put it twice back to the owner.
“I came in about one time to see Dougie and the cat came in. He said “that cat is costing me aboot £5 a week in neep but I dinna grudge him”.
“It is a job describing Dougie. He was just a character. He was just a legend.”
It is hoped that another blacksmith will set up shop in Pitmedden Smiddy.