The article in The Herald (see Dalry) suggests that — "the simple pleasures in fording the burn by Dalry were commemorated in Rabbie Burns' famous song 'Coming thro' the Rye'"; and that contrary to the popular misconception, Burns was not referring to Jenny walking through a field of the cereal crop rye, but crossing a ford on Rye Water, which explains why she was "weet". However, this is hotly debated by some Burns experts who point out that in the original manuscript, 'Rye' was spelt with a lower case 'r', implying that he was referring to a field of rye. Grammar, spelling and punctuation were not consistent in Burns' day, so we may never know the true interpretation of his song.

Well, just suppose Burns was referring to Rye Water, where exactly might he have been describing the 'action' to have taken place? Inspection of the map suggests that the ford on the Rye could possibly have been on the road from Kilbirnie as it approaches the outskirts of Dalry, now crossed by a bridge, or on a back road connecting the Dalry to Kilbirnie road to the Dalry to Beith road, which is still crossed by a ford.

Fording Rye Water

Hindog Glen

The glen might have been the Hindog Glen, which Rye Water actually flows through close by. The Hindog Glen is steep sided, wooded, very pretty and now almost inaccessible — an ideal location for a romantic dalliance?

Pete Sage, professional musician and long-time friend of Nick, has arranged and recorded this unique interpretation of the tune.

Pete Sage, professional musician and long-time friend of Nick, has arranged and recorded an unique interpretation of the tune, which is available for download.