Edinburgh History - Recollectons

Edinburgh Recollections Darroch School
1.	Charles Forrest Whitstable, Kent, England	- South Bridge + Darroch schools
2.	Florence Broderick née McGhee Murieston, West Lothian, Scotland	- South Bridge school - Darroch school
3.	Marion Marshall née McLaren Colinton, Edinburgh	- South Bridge school - Darroch school
4.	Lyndsay Montgomery now Linda Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh	- Burgess Brothers
5.	John Clark Canada	- Teachers
6.	George T Smith Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- Sean Connery
7.	Catherine Taylor née Clark Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England	- Teachers - School closed - Shops
8.	Patrick Hutton New Town, Edinburgh	- Gillespies at Darroch
9.	Mike Armstrong Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	- Teachers
10.	David Dickson Sydney, NSW, Australia	- 1950s - Teachers - Headmaster - Careers Advice
11.	Marion Marshall Colinton, Edinburgh	- School Reunion
12.	George Dalgleish Bruntsfield	- 1955-58 - Teachers - Class Mates
13.	Margaret Cooper Colindale, North London, England	- Teachers - Lunchtimes
14.	Angela Downie West Mains, Edinburgh	- School Friends - Reunions
15.	Billy Stewart	- School Friends: Reply
16.	John Gillespie	- Teachers
17.	Rosie Small	- The Gibson Family
18.	Angela Downie (née Lancashire)	- Reunion
19.	Phil Anderson	- West Mains
20.	Nina Lumb (née Douglas) Edinburgh	- 1957-60 - Teachers - Lessons
21.	David McBain	- School Reunions - Darroch FPA Web Site
22.	Margaret Williamson (née Hay) Moline, Illinois, USA	- Light Opera
23.	John Roxburgh Germany	- South Bridge School Friends 1957-64 - Nursery Rocking Horse- - Darroch School Friends 1964-68

Recollections

Charles Forrest

Whitstable, Kent, England

Thank you to Charles Forrest who wrote

South Bridge School

and

Darroch School

"I sincerely hope someone has some recall of the 2 schools in Edinburgh that I attended:

- South Bridge School (from about 1952 to 1958)

- Darroch Junior Secondary School (from 1958 to 1961)

My Primary Teacher was Miss Heatherwick.

Does anyone out there have any memories at all of either school, or of any of the teachers or pupils? I've been unable to get much info.

I lived in the Potterow before moving to Keir Street, near the Art College. I eventually moved, in 1961, to live above the 'Little Theatre' in the Pleasance which my dad ran, better known now as the 'Pleasance Festival Theatre'.

Any recall from classmates etc. would be fabulous."

Charles Forrest, Whitstable, Kent, England: Message left in EdinPhoto guest book, August 4, 2008

More Information?

If you have any information that you think may be of interest to Charles, please email me. Unfortunately, I don't have Charles' email address, so I cannot pass messages on to him, but I can add it to this page on the web site and hope that he finds it then emails me.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: August 6, 2008

Recollections

Florence Broderick
(née McGhee)

Murieston, West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Florence Broderick who wrote

South Bridge School

"I lived in Milnes Court, Lawnmarket, and went to South Bridge school after Castle hill school closed down in 1952

I was in Mr Anthony Steeles class. He was the teacher who watched the lines to catch the late ones in the morning.

Other teachers were:

- Mrs Preston

- Miss Woolard, the sewing teacher

- Mr Wilson, the head master.

Darroch School

"I then went to Darroch in 1955, where my teachers were:

- Mr Findlay

- Mr Knight art teacher

- Miss Scott, cookery teacher

We went to Bruntsfield for laundry classes and to the school house around the corner where they taught you how to run a house.

I remember my pals:

- Joan Christie

- Irene Flockhart

- Irene Dickson

- Freda Tait"

Florence Broderick (née McGhee), Murieston, West Lothian, Scotland: August 20, 2008

Recollections

Marion Marshall

(née McLaren)

Colinton, Edinburgh

Thank you to Marion Marshall (née McLaren) who wrote this message for Charles. Unfortunately I don't have Charles' email address, so I hope he looks again at this page and finds the message.

Marion wrote:

"Charles:

I stayed at George IV Bridge and was a year ahead of you at school. Maybe you remember Linda Harvey, Moira Potter or Jacqueline Dennison."

South Bridge School

"After beginning my schooling at Castlehill School (below the Esplanade) which closed after a year, I moved to South Bridge School.

The teachers I had there were Miss Brown and Miss Mowat. Other teachers were Miss Gibson (very strict), Mr Steele and Miss Woolard (the sewing/knitting teacher)."

Darroch School

"I remember Miss Heatherwick at Darroch. I had;

- Mrs Nelson (in the huts) as Register Teacher and for Maths.

- Mr Paterson for English, hen Mr Somerville

- Miss Ketchen for Cookery

- Miss Thomson for Laundry

- Mr Birrell for Typing

- Miss Fuller for Music

- Mr Knight for Art

- Mrs Easton for Science

Can't remember the others.

My husband, George Marshall, was also at South Bridge then Darroch schools, but he's 2 years older than me, so you probably wouldn't know him."

Marion Marshall (née McLaren), Colinton, Edinburgh: August 31, 2008

Recollections

Lyndsay Montgomery
(now Linda Montgomery)

Old Town, Edinburgh

Thank you Linda (now Lyndsay) Montgomery for providing this reply to Charles Forrest.

Lynda wrote in the EdinPhoto guest book:

Burgess Brothers

"Two boys who lived close to me, David and Douglas Burgess both went to Darroch. They lived in Quarry Cottages just up from Niddrie Mill.

David was into golf, quite young, and played at Portobello golf course. Douglas was into athletics. I remember seeing a photograph in the Evening News here about him winning something at Meadowbank stadium

If you know either of them, I could try and find out a little more for you."

Linda (now Lyndsay) Montgomery, Old Town, Edinburgh:
Message left in EdinPhoto guest book: August 7, 2008.

Lyndsay

I don't know Charles Forrest's email address, so I'm not able to let him know about your reply. I hope he reads your reply above.

Message for Charles Forrest

If you read Lyndsay's message above and would like to contact her please email me, then I'll give you her email address.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs, August 7, 2008

Recollections

John Clark

Canada

Thank you to John Clark who wrote:

Teachers

"I do not have any fond memories of Darroch School. After experiencing the love and affection I had for North Merchiston Primary, Darroch was like a penitentiary.

I attended between 1949 and 1952. My one good memory is my English, History and Geography teacher, Mrs Rozgova. She was strict, but she was so intelligent about what was going on, and also what was in store for the future.

The only other teachers I remember are Mr Thorburn ( French) and Mr Mallenson ( Science)."

John Clark, Canada

Recollections

Catherine Taylor
(née Clark)

Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England

Thank you to Catherine Taylor (née Clark) who wrote:

Teachers

"I, too, attended Darroch school in the 1950s, a little before Charles Forrest (1 above). We used slates and slate pencils.

Mr Kennedy was our headmaster.

I was also taught by Mr Thorburn. He was quite scary to me. Our English teacher was Mrs Drayton."

Schools Closed

Sad to say Darroch, is no longer a school. Neither is South Bridge nor Drummond Street."

Catherine asked Charles Forrest:

Teachers

"Do you remember:

- Miss Forsyth, the music teacher?

- Mrs Forsyth the other French teacher?

- being taken to Lady Glenorchy church for certain services?

Shops

"Do you remember the shop in Gilmore Place that sold home-made tablet? - the number of dinner monies that were spent there and in the chip shop in Fountainbridge, opposite Duncan's chocolate factory! Oh happy days."

Catherine Taylor (née Clark), Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England: January 10, 2009

Recollections

Patrick Hutton

New Town, Edinburgh

Thank you to Patrick Hutton who wrote:

Gillespies at Darroch

"I was at Darroch, so to speak. Gillespies used it as an annexe in the late 1970s. I spent most of my 2nd year (1976-77) there, as Gillespies was overcrowded and S2 was sent down there.

Darroch was used, throughout my time, for Arts and Crafts: the huts at the back were metalwork, Art was on the upper floors, and woodwork and Tech Drawing were upstairs in a separate building.

One winter the whole of Gillespies was squeezed in for a wee while as I think the oil tanker drivers were on strike, but the Darroch boilers were coal-fired.

We used to go to Tollcross sometimes. There was a short-cut through Murchies Dairy (stinking) to Lochrin Place."

Patrick Hutton, New Town, Edinburgh: January 12, 2009

Recollections

Mike Armstrong

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Thank you to Mike Armstrong who wrote:

Teachers

"I attended Darroch School. My final year was 1959, class 3TD. My teachers were:

- Mr. Alexander (Woodwork). He was a gentleman and a great teacher.

- Mr. Hendry Hall (Music). He carried his belt under his jacket and over his shoulder. He also taught the school's Brass Band.

- Miss Williamson (English).

- Miss. Bryce (Maths).

- Mr. Forbes (Metalwork).

- Mr. Tulloch (P.T.).

The Headmaster was Mr Kennedy."

Mike Armstrong, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: April 6, 2009

Recollections

10.

David Dickson

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to David Dickson who wrote:

1950s

"I attended Darroch Secondary School, leaving in 1959. I'm pretty sure I was in Class 3TD. The first name of one of my class mates was Alistair. He had blonde hair.

Headmaster

"The Headmaster was Mr Kennedy. He always wore a black gown over his suit and, if I remember correctly, had a neat grey coloured moustache and gold specs

Teachers

"The Music teacher was a Mr Hall. He always carried his belt over his shoulder and under his jacket.

Miss Williamson taught English and History/Geography."

Careers Advice

"My final advice from the School Careers Advisor, who I think was the Metal Work Teacher, was to go into a salesman's job.

However I ended up being a Police Officer in Sydney, Australia""

David Dickson, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Recollections

12.

George Dalgleish

Bruntsfield, Edinburgh

Thank you to George Dalgleish, who wrote:

1955-58

"I attended Darroch (canal side academy) from 1955 to 1958.

Teachers

"Some of my teachers were:

- Gavan McAll, English.

- Dr Swanson, Maths.

- Mr Jeffries PT.

- Mr Forbes, Metal work.

Class Mates

"My class mates were:

- Jimmy Higgins.

- ? Hutchison.

- ? Mc Fadgen.

- Jean Gilmore.

- Kirk.

- Sargent bros.

- George Davis.

- Marlin Strachan."

I'd love to hear from any out there, if you think you remember me"

George Dalgleish, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, October 25, 2010

Recollections

13.

Margaret Cooper

Colindale, North London, England

Thank you to George Dalgleish, who wrote:

Teachers

"Darroch School at Gilmore Place was my secondary school from 1948-1951. It was a good school with good teachers:

- Miss Rosie

- Mr Burroughs

- Mr Ainslie.

I was in 3TCM ** when I left.

** I asked Margaret the meaning of 3TCM. She explained that it stood for 3rd Year, Technical & Commercial Class, Term beginning March.

Lunchtimes

Happy lunchtimes - we shot off to Dominic's chippy. Us girls all had such a crush on Dominic. We would buy fourpence worth of fritters, and we'd club the rest of our dinner money together and buy five Turf cigs which we thought at that time made us look cool.

What were we thinking about? - a greasy bag of fritters and a fag. Cool, I think not!

Margaret Cooper, Colindale, North London, England:
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, August 1, 2011

Recollections

14.

Angela Downie (née Lancashire)

West Mains, Edinburgh

Thank you to Angela Downie, West Mains, Edinburgh for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Angela wrote:

School Friends

"I was at Darroch from Feb 1959 until Mar 1962.

I'd like to hear from classmates in classes 1CMA and 1CMB, or any other old friends who remember me:

- Wilma Morrison

- Linda Blair

- Pat Martin

I have been searching for Ethel Davie from Rankin Drive for over 30 years. Where are you Ethel?"

Reunions

"I have organized four reunions since 1986. The next one will be in Spring 2012."

Angela Downie (née Lancashire), West Mains, Edinburgh:
Message and email address posted in EdinPhoto guest book, August 29, 2011

Recollections

15.

Billy Stewart

Thank you to Billy Stewart for posting a reply in the EdinPhoto guest book to Angela's comments in 14 above.

Billy wrote:

School Friends

Reply

Thank you to Billy Stewart for posting a reply in the EdinPhoto guest book.

Billy wrote:

"I don't remember you, Angela, but Wilma Morrison and Linda Blair were in in my class at Sciennes. Marshall Flockhart, Eric Brown, Grant Roberts and Stuart Baker were also in my class. They all lived around the same area. Do you remember any of them? I used to like to think Wilma was my girlfriend."

Billy Stewart: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook August 29, 2011

Recollections

16.

John Gillespie

Tollcross, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Gillespie for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

John wrote:

Teachers

"I attended Darroch school from 1951 to 1954. I really enjoyed that school. Neil Connery was in the same class."

- Our class teacher then was Mr Inglis. He also taught English, Geography and History. He always dressed smartly and had a fantastic teaching manner. Our class, '1 TCDM', had to go to Bruntsfield for his lessons. Other lessons were held a Darroch.

- Mr Boxer taught PT

- Mr Burns taught Metalwork

- Mr Hall taught Music."

John Gillespie, Tollcross, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, February 10, 2012

Recollections

17.

Rosie Small

Edinburgh

Thank you to Rosie Small for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Rosie wrote:

The Gibson Family

"I'm looking for the Gibson family, who lived at 9 Polwarth Crescent and attended Darroch school.

There were Patricia (Pat ) and Victor. They emigrated to Canada around 1967. Can anyone help me to find them?

Rosie Small, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, May 19, 2012

Reply to Rosie?

IF you'd like to send a reply to Rosie Colin Sharp, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass you her email address, if I have it. If I don't have her email address, I'll pass you the email address of Colin Sharp who emailed me today asking the same question as Rosie asked about the Gibson family.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, May 19, 2012

Recollections

18.

Angela Downie (née Lancashire)

West Mains, Edinburgh

Thank you to Angela Downie for posting a message in the Edinphoto guest book about the Reunion that she hosted last week. Angela referred to her plans for a reunion in 2012 in her Recollections 14 above.

Angela wrote:

Reunion

Summer 2012

"I lived in West Mains, Edinburgh, from 1957 until getting married.

Most of the children went to Sciennes Primary School, then went on to Darroch or Boroughmuir.

On 6 July, I held a Reunion for some of the guys and gals at the Minto Hotel. Twenty-six of us spent from 4pm until 11pm catching up on the past fifty years!

It really wasn't long enough, so we will be doing it all again at the end of August so that Lindsay Broadbent can meet up with old pals. He was not able to attend last week due to business commitments.

I've received phone calls and emails saying how much everybody enjoyed going back in time to their happy childhoods at West Mains."

Angela Downie (née Lancashire), West Mains, Edinburgh:
Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, July 15, 2012.

Recollections

19.

Phil Anderson

Thank you to Philip Anderson who read the comments above from Angela Downie (née Lancashire) and wrote:

West Mains

"I am a bit younger than Angela, but I also have happy childhood memories from West Mains. I lived in Rankin Drive.

I remember Ethel Davie as she used to take me out in my pram, I believe, with her pals when I was a baby. Maybe Angela was one of these pals.)

The last time I saw Ethel was about 1982 when she was working in the Mid Yoken Pub at East Craigs, Corstorphine. I think she lived out that way."

Phil Anderson: July 15, 2012

Note for Angela Downie

Unfortunately, I don't have your email address, so I'm not able to send you a message about Phil's comments above. I hope you find them here.

If you read this, please email me, then I'll reply, sending more comments from Phil to you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: July 16, 2012

Recollections

20.

Nina Lumb (née Douglas)

Edinburgh

Thank you to Nina Lumb (née Douglas) who wrote:

1957-60

"I happened on the guest book quite by chance and it did bring back a memory or two, as I attended Darroch Secondary School 1957-1960 in class 3TD."

Teachers

"I remember some of the teachers:

- Mr Kennedy. He always wore a gown, had a grey neatly-trimmed tash.

- Mr Wragg.

- Dr Swanson, Maths Teacher. He was Polish. At Maths, I used to sit beside Adeline Atkins who had long fair hair."

Lessons

"We girls went:

- for Swimming, to Bruntsfield Primary School.

- for Housewifery, around the corner to the School House. I remember nearly blowing up the kitchen when we turned the gas on under a boiler and left it, then returned and tried to re-light.

- for Hockey to Meggetland. We entered from Slateford Bridge. There was a small hut that sold crisps and small bottles of orange, when we could get away."

"This may jog a few more memories"

Nina Lumb (née Douglas), Edinburgh: July 18, 2012

Recollections

21.

David McBain

Baberton Mains, Edinburgh

Thank you to David McBain who wrote

School Reunions

"I attended Darroch from 1953 to 1957 and have organised the last three school reunions 2010, 2011, 2012. I also organised a visit round the old school in February 2012. The next reunion will take place in Spring 2013."

Darroch FPA Web Site

"All the above information is available on my Darroch FPA web site, together with loads of photographs including classes, sports, reunions, etc., and even some audio files from the school operas."

David Bain, Baberton Mains, Edinburgh, September 21, 2012

Web Site

The web site that David mentions also has:

- The words of Darroch School Song: "The oak leaf is a symbol ... "

- Brief comments about many who have been teachers at the school.

- Memories about one of the school's former pupils, Sean Connery

- Former pupils' memories of the school and its environs.

- History of the school with many class photos, since 1900.

- Copies of Certificates awarded by the school.

- List of some of the shows and concerts that have been performed.

Recollections

John Roxburgh

Germany

Thank you to John Roxburgh who wrote his message below hoping that some of his old friends from South Bridge School or Darroch School might get in touch with him. John wrote:

South Bridge School Friends

1957-64

"I lived in Roxburgh Terrace and went to South Bridge School from 1957 to 1964. I also went to Darroch from 1964 till 1968.

My teacher at South Bridge was Mr Steel. I'd like to hear from any of my old friends of the time:

- Alex Smith

- Robert Matheson

- Brian Nielson

- Linda brown.

They mostly went on to Darroch with me."

Nursery Rocking Horse

"I also remember the big rocking horse at nursery. I never fell off it and therefore have happy memories although it did strike me as having a fierce facial expression."

Darroch School Friends

1964-68

"I'd also like to hear from my friends at Darroch:

- William Randall,
- David Atkinson
- so many others.

There was, for instance, a French girl in my year. I think she was called Luise.

I hope to here something from anyone who remembers me although it is such a long time ago. I am at present visiting Edinburgh and my old mother for a few days."

John Roxburgh, Germany (since around 1985): February 14, 2014

Reply to John

If you remember John and would like to send a message to him, please email me, then I'll pass on his email address to you.

Peter Stubbs: February 14, 2014