Cycle track at Liberton, Edinburgh

Cycle Track

Liberton

Thomas Lee who sent me the photograph above tells me that he is not sure about the location. He believes that it is probably somewhere around Liberton . Liberton lies about 3 miles SSE of the centre of Edinburgh.

If you recognise the location, please e-mail me.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs.

About half an hour after I added this picture to the web site, I received an email from Bob Henderson.

Bob wrote:

Hallhead Road

"I am almost certain this is the Hallhead Road track, where the team started by Tony Main called the Hallhead Pirates rode.

It is a much better track than it was in my day."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh: January 29, 2008.

However, please see 4. below, written the following day, January 30, 2008.

Thank you to Forbes Wilson who wrote:

Mount Vernon Road

"The location for this cycle track is in that corner park formed by Kirk Brae and Mount Vernon Road.

The rear of the houses on the left of the photograph face onto Mount Vernon Road.

The photographer is looking across the traffic lights (now formed by Lasswade Road, Kirk Brae, Kirkgate and Mount Vernon Road) towards Liberton Kirk and Kirkgate."

Forbes WIlson, nr Guildford, Surrey, England: January 30, 2008

Bob Henderson sent further comments.

Bob wrote:

Liberton

"I have had another look at this photo and Forbes Wilson is right. The kirk in the background is definitely Liberton Kirk.

I thought it was the kirk at Newington, but the square tower gives the clue."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh: January 30, 2008.

However, Brian Clapp writes:

Harrison Park

"As far as I know , there hasn't been any correction posted for the 1960s photo of the cycling track, allegedly at Liberton.

The squared tower church is situated in Polwarth Terrace and the picture was taken at Harrison Park on the same day as the Scottish Rangers v. Alan Forbes meet."

Brian Clapp, Edinburgh: February 2008

Donald Grant confirms this location. He writes:

Harrison Park

"I can now say with certainty that Brian Clapp is quite correct in that the photo he identifies as Harrison Park is indeed that location.

I am able to say that after checking the location using an aerial map on which the very faint outline of what was the cycle track can be seen, just where it should be relative to the church in the photo.

Sadly the tracks at The Jewel and Liberton (if there was a Liberton track) are both completely obliterated so it was not possible to precisely locate them.

Donald Grant, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland: February 13, 2008

Thank you to Neil Lawrence for sending this photograph from a similar position in 2008, with Polwarth Parish Church 'The Candlish' shown in the background.

This provides further evidence (if such is needed) that the race track was in Harrison Park.

Neil adds:

"I remember cycling around this track in Harrison Park as a young lad."

Neil Lawrence, Fountiainbridge, Edinburgh February 25, 2008

Thank you to Mike Gargrave, Mount Florida, Glasgow, Scotland, who wrote:

Harrison Park

"The track is definitely Harrison Park and the church in the background is Polwarth."

Scottish Rangers

"The riders in white are from the Scottish Rangers' team.

My Father

"The guy holding the clipboard in the background is my father, Ross Gargrave who was manager of the Scottish Rangers.

I can't believe he was allowed out of the house dressed as he was - what a tramp!"

Mike Gargrave: June 26, 2012

Harrison Park

We now have enough evidence to know that this track was at Harrison Park, not Liberton as first thought.

The comments above have been helpful, and so has this contribution below from George Syme who wrote:

Tracks at Liberton

"There was a track at Liberton and it was on Craigour Grove. Liberton Lions rode there from 1960 to 1967.

They then built a new track at Fernieside in the playing field opposite Fernieside school and next to the bowling green. Liberton Lyons rode there from 1968 to 1970."

George Syme, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England: February 19, 2014

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Please click on this Cycling Recollections page to read more of George Syme's memories of Cycle Speedway on the tracks at Liberton.

Recollections

Gavin Love

Scottish Borders

Thank you to Gavin Love who wrote:

Ross Gargrave

"The chap with the clip board is Ross Gargrave who was a leading light of Cycle Speedway in Edinburgh in the 1960s and was also Team Manager for the Scottish Rangers and an 'all round good guy'.

Scottish Rangers are shown racing in this photograph although I cannot recall the names of the riders or indeed the other team.

Belford Aces

"I also raced with the Belford Aces at Pilrig Park in Edinburgh along with:

- Robert Love,

- Alistair Skinner,

- John Elvin,

- Peter Grant,

- The Milroy Brothers,

- wee Dudley McKean,

- John Edwardson

- and many others,

Where are they now?"

Scottish Borders

"I now live in the Scottish Borders and regularly support Berwick Bandits where another regular Scottish Rangers Rider is the Match Commentator."

Gavin Love, Scottish Borders, Scotland: 18 March 2013