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http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst10506.html
Panmure Testimonial (Panmure Monument)
A prominent monument which crowns Cambustane Hill in SE Angus, the Panmure Testimonial lies a
half-mile (1 km) to the southeast of Craigton and 1¼ miles (2 km) east southeast of Monikie. Also
known as the 'Live and Let Live Monument', it was erected in 1839 by the tenants of the Panmure
Estate in appreciation of the fact that their Laird, William Maule, 1st Lord Panmure (1771 - 1852),
was willing to forgo their rents during several years of poor harvests in the 1820s.
Designed by John Henderson of Edinburgh, the testimonal comprises a neo-Gothic buttressed base,
with a fluted column rising 32m (105 feet) and topped by an ornamental vase. A spiral stair-case
ascends within the monument to a viewing platform at the top.
http://www.monikie.org.uk/panmure1.htm
The Panmure Testimonial at Monikie, a landmark for miles around, . . . was built as a gesture of
gratitude by the Panmure tenantry.
The year 1826 - 'the year of the short corn' - was disastrous for the farmer-tenants. The crops were
so poor that they could not get return enough to pay their rents.
Learning of this, the compassionate nature of the laird, William 1st Baron Panmure, became evident
when he gave instructions that no rent was to be asked until such times as the tenants were able to
pay. Later, in many instances, he cancelled the arrears altogether.
When things improved, the tenants got together and decided to raise this tall pillar as a mark of their gratitude to Baron Panmure.
And, as this gentleman was still in vigorous health at that time, it was obviously intended as a testimonial, not a memorial."
The Panmure Testimonial
('Live and Let Live')
No folly this of man's construction,
To vaunt laird's deeds on his instruction;
Memorial 'tis of gratitude,
To caring earl, whose latitude
Encompassed tenants' dues unpaid,
As harvest crops in field decayed.
Though soil may yield, harsh seasons cruel
Unequal make man's earthly duel
'gainst Nature's powerful elements
that blessings bring and harassments.
Sun can warm yet cause a drought.
Refreshing rain may help seeds sprout.
But when dark thunderclouds do lower,
The bursting floods reveal their power.
Soil and seed or swelling grain
Are washed away or battered lain,
A wasted crop! Such futile toil!
On wonders why they till the soil.
The wind, is't friend or fiendish foe?
Hay gently drying, yet, a blow
From eastern airt in Springtime calm
Will wither leaves and blossom harm.
And what of hail and sleet and snow?
Of those, the last allows to grow
The tender shoots of winter wheat
Beneath its insulating sheet.
Today, these ills we circumvent,
Appealing to the Government.
But in those days of yesteryear,
Doom and disaster bred chill fear
Of gnawing hunger and eviction.
"Fear not!" the laird said with conviction.
"Your woes and ills I understand.
Your homes will stay upon my land.
And till the future harvest's sure,
Count on the bounty of Panmure."
'Live and Let Live', we raise our glass
to him whose caring few surpass.
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