PLANS have been unveiled to build a new museum dedicated to the author of the famous children’s rhyme Ally Bally Bee.
Robert Coltart, originally from Galashiels, wrote Coulter’s Candy in the 19th century to help sell his home-made confectionary.
Four years ago, a statue was unveiled in his honour in Galashiels and it is now hoped that a museum could follow.
Coltart was well-known in his native town and across the Borders in the late 19th century for selling his boiled sweets at fairs and festivals.
The lyrics to the song are as follows:
Ally bally, ally bally bee,
Sittin' on yer mammy's knee,
Greetin' for a wee bawbee,
Tae buy mair Coulter's candy
Its popularity was revived in the 1960s after Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor performed it on the Tonight programme.
SNP MSP Christine Grahame and SNP councillor Fay Sinclair have now given their support for a new museum.
They’re working with local historian Graeme McIver who told the BBC that the popular song was “known around the world”.
He has spent 15 years researching Coltart’s life and said a museum in the town would be “fitting” to highlight his connection to the area.
Grahame said the story of the author was perhaps the world’s first advertising jingle had been “brought alive” by McIver.
“I’ve long thought a small and humble museum dedicated to such an intriguing and mischievous man could be a welcome addition to the cultural offer in Galashiels,” she said.
The BBC reports that a potential location has been suggested at a disused council toilet block in the town.
Sinclair also believed that Coltart needed greater recognition and said: “My dad sang Ally Bally Bee to me as a child and I sang it to my boys, but it wasn’t until I moved to Galashiels that I learnt anything about the flamboyant character behind the lullaby.
“We’re still in the early stages, but I’m delighted to be working with Graeme and Christine to progress plans for a museum to tell more of Coltart’s life in Victorian Galashiels, as well as how his ditty came to be sung around the world.
“I was really surprised to discover there’s no headstone to mark Coltart’s resting place in Eastlands Cemetery so that’s something we’ll be seeking public support to rectify early in the New Year.”
