Recollections  -  Edinburgh Old Town

Dumbiedykes

People and Play

Page 2

   ©

Please click here for  recollections 1 to 32

33.

from

Jim O'Meara
Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland

Home

The Embers

Jimmy Hush

Folk Singers

Schools

Pleasance Trust Youth Club

Arthur Street

The Chippie

Infirmary Street Baths

34.

from

Jim O'Meara
Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland

Pleasance Trust Youth Club

35.

from

John Edwards
Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland

The People of Dumbiedykes

36.

from

Lyndsay Montgomery
Old Town, Edinburgh

Billy Anderson

37.

from

Lyndsay Montgomery
Old Town, Edinburgh

My Father

38.

from

Andy Duff
Maryborough, Queensland, Australia

Maggie Martin's Mission

The Henny

Leaving Dumbiedykes

39.

from

Jean Bell

Maggie Martin's Mission

40.

from

Bob Henderson
Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

David Bertram

41.

from

Eric Gold
East End, London

David Bertram

42.

from

Eric Gold
East End, London

David Bertram

43.

from

Tom Harrison
Buckstone, Edinburgh

David Bertram

44.

from

Margaret Miller (nee Hanson)
Yarrow Valley, Selkirkshire

Dumbiedykes Road

45.

from

Frank Ferri
Newhaven, Edinburgh

The Plantation

46.

from

James Vandepeear
York, Yorkshire, England

Arthur Street

Cats

Deaconess Hospital

Peas and Vinegar

Dairy

Dr Goldberg

School

Evacuation

War Years

Holyrood Park

The Meadows

Smallpox

Liberton

Boroughmuir School

Leaving Edinburgh

47.

from

Bill Cockburn
Comely Bank, Edinburgh

Regent Cinema  -  Wedding

48.

from

Iona Harms
Stevenson College, Edinburgh

Dumbiedykes Project + Interviews

49.

from

Barbara Shepherd (nee Brown)

Arthur Street

St Anne's School

Childhood

50.

from

Christine Anderson (nee Keith)

Salisbury Street

Middle Arthur Place

51.

from

Bob Henderson
Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Dorothy Shepherd

Thomas McFarlane

52.

from

Helen Litalien (nee Kelly)
San Antonio, Texas, USA

Jim Kelly, window cleaner

Jenny Kelly, now aged 93

Schools

53.

from

Jim Robertson
Berlin, Germany

AND

Helen Litalien (nee Kelly)
San Antonio, Texas, USA

Dumbiedykes Road

54.

from

Joe McKenzie
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

Lower Viewcraig Road

McKenzie Family

Mcleod Family

Friends

Football

Music

55.

from

Bob Henderson
Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Looking down on Dumbiedykes
following demolition,  mid-1960s

-  Public Toilets

-  Sledging

-  Playground

-  Holyrood Park

56.

from

Jack Craig
Silverknowes, Edinburgh

The Cat's Nick

The Giant Steps

Hunter's Bog

57.

from

Jimmy Kelly

Geordie Borthwick's Stair

Motor Bikes

More Neighbours

Pals

Schools

Barrie's Trip

58.

from

Patsy Quinn

Davy Bertram's sister

59.

from

Eric Gold
East End, London

David Bertram's sister

60

from

Cathy Rogers
Little France, Edinburgh

Prospect Street

61

from

John Foster
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

East Arthur Place

Arthur Street

62

from

Eric Gold
East End, London

The Fair Family

63

from

Alex Farrell
Reichenbach, Germany

Middle Arthur Place

Dave Bertram

64

from

John Munro
West Lothian, Scotland

Heriot Mount

Fight

Cosmopolitan

George Heriot's School

Today

65

from

Ken Matthews
formerly Ken Egerton
Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland

Johnny and the Falcons

Recollections

33.

Jim O'Meara

Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland

Thank you to Jim O'Meara who wrote:

Home

"My mother was divorced when I was very young so in the 1940s and 1950s we had to stay wherever we could with relatives and friends.

We lived in Holyrood Road, The Dumbiedykes, Canongate, Cowgate, Pleasance, Leith etc.  We lived at 65 Lower Viewcraig Row from about 1963 to 1965."

The Embers

"I used to pal about with Pete Bottomley and Jimmy Cruikshanks of The Embers,  and remember flying about on my old Lambretta that I bought from my cousin Jackie Brown for £5.

©

I believe that Jimmy Cruickshank is still in the area.  A friend told me that he sometimes gets up to sing at one of the jazz bars in the West End.

I well remember going to the Guild at St Pat's and St Mary's Street Hall where the Embers used to play sometimes at the start of their career."

Jimmy Hush

"I remember Jimmy Hush.  (He was another member of 'The Embers'.)

I believe he still lives locally.  I met him again in Bonnyrigg where he had a stand in the market selling greeting cards.  He also had card shops in Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith"

Folk Singers

"My wife and I were keen on 'The Fureys and Davey Arthur' so when I read in the paper that they were appearing for one night at the Pleasance we decided to go.

We met my old scout master Ronnie Inglis (another local) who asked me if I was up to renew acquaintance with Davey. This was puzzling as I didn't think I had ever met him.

It turns out that Davey was in my patrol in St Pat's scouts and had gone off to Ireland to join the famous Furey Brothers as their lead singer.

Ronnie more or less gave him his start along with a great many folk stalwarts of the late 50's early 60's.  He ran folk concerts in St Mary's St Hall for a time and had people like Barbara Dickson, The McCalman's etc.

A lot of them performed in Walker's bar at the top of St Mary's St - people like the Corries, Robin Hall & Jimmy McGregor etc"

Schools

"I attended St Ann's school, then St Pat's and finally Holy Cross.

When I went to St Pats I remember a scandal when one of committee of the Working Men's Club across the road ran away with their money - and I think somebody's wife."

Pleasance Trust Youth Club

"I used to go to Pleasance Trust Youth Club.  It  was run by a man whose name I forget but he had something to do with a soap company, so we were encouraged to keep our faces clean

The BBC used to have a studio in the building.  I remember  a recording being made with Jimmy Shand.  I was in the building with one of my pals at the time, Decky Smith with whom I shared a birthday.  We were chased for making a noise.

There was a basketball team that used the gym.  They were quite successful at the time."

Arthur Street

"I remember Harry Pederson who stayed at the top of Arthur Street next door to my uncle Paddy Dignan who was a goalie.

He played in the Scotchie with the Millar brothers who went on to pro football with John Greig."

The Chippy

"Mention of the chippy at the foot of Adam Street brought back memories of the biggest fish I have ever had from a chippy."

Infirmary Street Baths

"We used to to the chippy after 'the baths' at Infirmary Street.

There were two attendants at the baths to keep us in check. One of them had a gammy leg.  He used to flash a black belt at us and threaten mayhem if we stepped out of line.

One night, we were jumping from the balcony when he wasn't looking when Sean Connery came in with his wife  (I think it was Dianne Cillento) for a bath at what we called The Plunge.

The attendant came up with a big key and you got a measured amount of hot water and a bar of carbolic soap (or Palmollive if you paid extra)."

Jim O'Meara, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland:  February 2+4, 2008

Recollections

34.

Jim O'Meara

Bonnyrigg, Midlothian

Jim O'Meara wrote again about the Pleasance Trust Youth Club that he attended from around 1955 to 1957.

Jim wrote:

Pleasance Trust Youth Club

Games

"For lads in the area from homes where money was far from plentiful, the Pleasance Trust Youth Club was a Godsend.

A group of volunteer workers (including Bill Law, the Scottish diving champion at the time) would supervise a wide range of games and activities and try to instill the basics of good citizenship in what was really quite a tough area."

Summer Trips

"In the summer we were taken to Pease Bay near Cockburnspath in the Borders.  All the way down we would sing the latest Rock & Roll hits and when we got there the first job was to go up the hill to a farm and gather straw for our very basic mattresses.

For many of us it was our only chance to get anything like a holiday and a break from the tenements, so a great time was had by all. Games, swimming and treks during the day and campfires at night made sure that we all went to bed very happy and ready for sleep."

Jim O'Meara, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland:  February 5, 2008

Recollections

35.

John Edwards

Sun City, Florida, USA

Thank you to John Edwards, Sun City, Florida, USA, for sending me the comments below, despite never having lived in the Dumbiedykes area of Edinburgh.

John wrote:

The People of Dumbiedykes

"This is just a word to let you know how much I enjoy reading about Dumbiedykes and the people who lived there.

To me they seem like a very special breed of people who take life as it comes and make the best of it..

They seem fiercely loyal to the place and each other and, I believe, having lived that experience have truly great character and true grit.

My hat's off to them."

John Edwards, Sun City, Florida, USA:  March 7, 2008

Recollections

36.

Lyndsay Montgomery

(formerly Linda Montgomery)

Old Town, Edinburgh

Thank you to Lyndsay Montgomery for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guest book.

Lyndsay wrote:

Billy Anderson

"There are a lot of you folks from Arthur Street tuned in here.  Can anyone remember a boy called Billy Anderson coming to live in the area in about 1958 or 59?

He had come from Ghana where his Dad had been serving in the army.  He originally came to Niddrie Mill Primary School, to my class, since he was staying with an auntie who lived locally.

I met him one Friday night at the Palais.  He was in uniform, and it was like ships that pass in the night."

Lyndsay Montgomery, Old Town, Edinburgh:  Message left in EdinPhoto guest book:  July 18, 2008

Recollections

37.

Lyndsay Montgomery

(formerly Linda Montgomery)

Old Town, Edinburgh

Lyndsay Montgomery asks a question below:

Question

Lyndsay wrote:

My Father

"Here's a question for a southsider.

My father was born in 1898 in the Jewel, and the family lived afterwards in the Dumbiedykes, I don't know where.

He used to tell me stories about the place and keep me enthralled with his deeds of daring, I know he went to Milton House (Royal Mile Primary School) but I have never quite worked out what he did afterwards.

Would he have been in the same school until he left at 13?  Can anyone tell me? I know he was in the First World War, having joined up at 16.

The family was a large one, with 3 children including my Dad, then another 6 to a second wife since the first died.  Unhappily, the brothers and sisters are now all dead, I think, so I can't ask any of them.  

I know  his father had a carter's business, and he had been in the war in the Crimea."

Lyndsay Montgomery, Old Town, Edinburgh:  July 24, 2008

Recollections

38.

Andy Duff

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia

Andy Duff wrote:

Maggie Martin's Mission

"I loved Catherine McKinsley's bit on Maggie Martin's Mission and the Grassmarket.  Boy, did it bring back memories as I, too, attended both.

At the mission, I always remember getting penny for collection plate and going to paper shop and getting 2 half pennies one for me one for Maggie, so to speak.

The Henny

"Like you, my wife also played in the henny.  She was Jean Dalgleish of 4 Heriot Mount.

Leaving Dumbiedykes

"We used to live in the stair down from Catherine in the early 1940s, then moved to St Leonard's Hill.

 we live in Australia have done so since January 1971."

Andy Duff, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia:  July 29, 2008

Recollections

39.

Jean Bell nee Bottomley

Jean Bell, sister of Peter Bottomley, the lead guitarist in The Embers group, wrote:

Maggie Martin's Mission

"There were six children in our family (I am the eldest) and we were well known in the Dumbiedykes.

-  My Granny Kelt lived in Holyrood Square.

-  My aunts and uncles, McMillans and the Kelts, lived nearby

-  Auntie Aggie lived in the Square too

-  The Hunters and Auntie Nell Dickson lived in Holyrood Road.

So you see, we were weel kent in that area..

Jean Bell (nee Bottomley);  August 29, 2008

Recollections

40.

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Henderson who wrote:

David Bertram

"It was with great sadness that I read in tonight's News of the passing of David Bertram of Middle Arthur Place.

He has been mentioned many times in the recollections of Arthur Street and the Dumbiedykes."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh:  September 2, 2008

Recollections

41.

Eric Gold

East London

Thank you to Eric Gold who also read the announcement of  David Bertram's death:

David Bertram

"I heard, last night, that Davie (Dade) Bertram died last Friday with cancer and will be cremated this Friday at Mortonhall crematorium.

Dade was from Middle Arthur Place and was a real character around the Dumbiedykes area especially with his pigeons. He was mentioned a few times on your website .Countless people knew him, especially in Rutherford’s and Stewarts pubs, so could you put a wee bit on your web site.

Dave was a social drinker, but the pigeons came first. He had a younger sister Anne and brother my mate Donald.  His parents now deceased were called Dave and Maisie. It came as a shock to me even although I have never seen or spoke to Dade in years.  He lived in the Inch, behind the Rob Roy pub, now demolished."

Eric Gold, East London:  September 4, 2008

Recollections

42.

Eric Gold

East London

Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote:

David Bertram

"My sister told me that (Dade) Davy Bertram had a wonderful turnout as his funeral as the whole of the Southside were there, as Dade was a very popular man.  I still can’t get over his passing as he was only 67 years old."

Eric Gold, East London:  September 6, 2008

Recollections

43.

Tom Harrison

Buckstone, Edinburgh

Thank you to Tom Harrison who wrote:

David Bertram

"I recently attended the funeral of the much loved and respected David Bertram.  He was brought up in Middle Arthur Place, then moved to the Inch along with his Mum and Dad.

It was  a fitting tribute to his family that there was so many friends from Arthur Street.  It showed the love and friendship that  flourished in the community. There will never be another place like it.

We all had a drink and a good old blether about the days gone by.  To you all, many thanks to the memories we shared.

God Bless."

Tom Harrison, Buckstone, Edinburgh:  September 7+ 10, 2008

Recollections

44.

Margaret Miller (nee Hanson)

Yarrow Valley, Selkirkshire

Thank you to Margaret Miller (nee Hanson) for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Margaret wrote:

Dumbiedykes Road

"My name is Margaret, sis Sheila, and bro George.  We used to live at 34/6 Dumbiedykes Road, two doors from Jean Aithie.

 I knew:

-  Rhoda and Hannah Mcghee

-  Craig Mitchell

-  the Grahams

I went to school at Drummond Street, then South Bridge, then Jimmy Clarks.  Bring back the good old days!"

Margaret Miller (nee Hanson), Yarrow Valley, Selkirkshire:  October 20, 2008.

Recollections

45.

Frank Ferri

Newhaven, Edinburgh

Thank you to Frank Ferri who wrote:

The Plantation

"As a kid, although from Leith, I used to hang out at Dumbiedykes with the late Eddie Kelly, later in become infamous, but that's another story.  We both attended St Anthony's school.  He had two sisters.

We would play in the area known as The Plantation, a group of trees near the sports grounds at Holyrood Palace."

Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh:  October 21, 2008.

Frank:

'The Plantations' that I've been told about at Dumbiedykes was beside 'The Big Green' off Dumbiedykes Road.  Here is a photograph of it.  Please click on this thumbnail to enlarge it.

©

Is this the same Plantation as you remember?

Peter Stubbs:  October 22, 2008

Frank replied:

"Yes.  That is the Plantation, close to Holyrood Palace, to the left of the picture were the sports grounds which I think included a bowling green.  Obviously, the foreground of the picture taken in 1960 has changed, possibly due to demolition of buildings."

Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh:  October 23, 2008.

Recollections

46.

James Vandepeear

York, Yorkshire, England

A couple of years after sending me his recollections chimney sweeps at his home in East Preston Street, James Vandepeear sent me his recollections of Dumbiedykes in the 1940s.

James wrote

Arthur Street

"I remember Dumbiedykes and Arthur Street in the period 1939-1952.

I had a great aunt lived in Arthur Street.  I think she was a Miss Galbraith, known as ‘Auntie Eeze’ to us.  We visited her occasionally in her dark flat, which was the middle one of three on a landing, all at the top of a gloomy spiralling stair with handrails which were dangerously low for the child I then was.

Her small windows looked out on to the grey walls of the tenement which had an angle in it at that point."

Cats

"I recall that the whole tenement was infested by cats.   Later when my aunt died, I went to help with clearing out her property.   By then, the windows to the flat had been smashed and there were cats in every corner of the flat.  They had been there for about two weeks by then."

Deaconess Hospital

"I remember being taken to the Deaconess Hospital to be treated for some kind of blood poisoning, and having ‘hot fomentations’ applied to my arm over a period of weeks, and the resulting inflamed swelling being lanced.

I recall a mask impregnated with ether being placed on my face to put me out while the staff got on with it.  I still hate the smell of ether.

The Deaconess was a popular medical centre, so I suspect it must have been either free or very cheap."

Peas and Vinegar

"On a corner, across from the Deaconess, towards St Leonards, there was a small shop where, usually on a Sunday, one could buy a plate of peas and vinegar for a halfpenny.

As we were always hungry during the war, peas and vinegar were a treat.  I still remember the vinegar being so strong that I could not speak for a while - and the peas, allegedly boiled, were frequently like bullets."

Dairy

"In East Preston Street, Bill Walker’s dairy sold bread rolls which might have been made by angels  -  and sweets, sometimes."

Dr Goldberg

"I remember Dr Goldberg.  He lived at 27 East Preston Street.  He was always happy to have a quick word with the local children as he did his rounds.  With Homburg hat and Gladstone bag, he went everywhere on foot.  He must have walked miles each day.

Anyone who recalls the doctor will remember his two sisters, who drifted, arm in arm, up and down the streets, talking to each other, but not to anyone else. They were always dressed in 1920 style clothes, cloche hats, pointed shoes with straps, and grey coats and stockings."

School

"I had just started school in 1939, and had no idea of anything happening like a war.  I was just five, and one morning I was given a small case by my grandmother, who was my guardian, and sent to school."

Evacuation

"I had got to like our teacher, Miss Clarke, but that day she tied a label to my coat, and we all marched to Newington Station to get on train, to Armadale.

Evacuees had varied experiences.  Mine were not happy, and I was rescued after a few months by my sister, who came out to Armadale and took me back to Preston Street.   But Miss Clarke had gone to the forces.

I think most of the children were back home within a year, except for a few who had been sent to Canada or elsewhere abroad."

War Years

"My memories of the war years in Edinburgh are of nothing happening, but lots of static water tanks and blast shelters being placed around the city  -  and the blackout, but double British Summer Time saved us having to put the blackout curtains up for those months.

The Meadows had allotments, and I think there were some in Holyrood Park."

Holyrood Park

"We played in Holyrood Park mostly.  In summer, we went to Duddingston Loch or up Arthur's Seat.   In winter there was sledging down from Echo Rock, even late in the evening when it was dark.  

The park has been sanitised now, no sheep or rocks.  But I broke a tooth after sledging right into a rock in the dark."

The Meadows

"At the Meadows there was a swing park, with steel see-saws and parallel bars  and roundabouts, all set in concrete, to make us hardy, and ensure a regular supply of scraped knees and elbows and bruised heads."

Smallpox

"One year, there was a smallpox outbreak.  We all had a vaccination at school, and were told not to knock the scab off.   Many of us wore red ribbons round the vaccinated arm to ward off blows to the healing scab, but one lad, name of Nicol, I think, got his knocked so often that in the end he had a scab from shoulder to elbow."

Liberton

"Preston Street school was partly closed about then, and we had lessons at a hall in Gifford Park.

Liberton Dams was a good day out, playing in the Braid Burn and guddling for sticklebacks and minnows.  There was a dairy farm, not too far from the tram stop, and once I had some very fresh milk there, still warm."

Boroughmuir School

"I went on to Boroughmuir in 1944, left there in 1949.

In 1947, before the National Health Service or ambulances on call round the clock, I broke my arm in the gymnasium at Boroughmuir  -  ulna and radius, so I had two elbows for a while. 

My form teacher came to the gym, and fitted a sling made from a dish towel, which I wore, with my outdoor clothes on top, and was sent by tram to the Royal Infirmary, on my own, where I was plastered up and sent home, again on my own.

I was very late home and got into trouble for that, and had to go back to have the arm reset a few days later."

Leaving Edinburgh

"And then into the army, and I never came back to Edinburgh except to visit."

James Vandepeear, York, Yorkshire, England:  November 16, 2008

Recollections

47.

Bill Cockburn

Comely Bank, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bill Cockburn who wrote

Regent Cinema  -  Wedding

"I stayed in the Pleasance and then Prince Albert Buildings from 1948 to 1963. I met my wife, Irene, who worked part-time as an usherette in the Regent Cinema at the end of 1961.

I took a part time job as an usher just to be near her.

We married on 26 November 1963, just 4 days after President Kennedy was assassinated.  We had 3 children by the end of that decade.  Sadly, Irene passed away a few weeks ago on 22 October."

Bill Cockburn, Comely Bank, Edinburgh:  November 14, 2008

Recollections

48.

Iona Harms

Stevenson College, Edinburgh

Iona Stevenson sent in the request below.  If you'd like to contact Iona, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her.

Thank you.    -  Peter Stubbs:  November 19, 2008

Dumbiedykes Project and Interviews

"I am a student at Stevenson College and am currently carrying out some research around the area of Dumbiedykes.

My task is to complete a community profile giving an overview of the history of the area and looking at the current facilities and services in relation to this. I also need to carry out some discussion looking at inequality and discrimination in the area.

I have come across your website which has a vast amount of information which has been very useful in my research.  I am also looking for people to interview about Dumbiedykes and note that on your website a number of people connected with the area have volunteered information. I was wondering if it would be possible to make contact with any of these people in order for me to interview them for my research."

Iona Harms, Stevenson College, Edinburgh:  November 18, 2008

Replies

Thank you to Ian Mycko and Eric Gold for replying to the request above.

Ian and Eric:  I've passed your message on to Iona Harms

-  Peter Stubbs:  November 19, 2008

Recollections

49.

Barbara Shepherd (nee Brown)

Thank you to Barbara Shepherd who wrote:

Arthur Street

"I was born in Elsie Ingles in 1937, spending the first year of my life in the Waverley Buildings in the Cowgate and the next 11 years at No 18 Arthur Street.  In 1949 my family moved to Prestonfield.

I attended St Anne's Primary School in the Cowgate, 1942-49, and St Thomas' Secondary School in Lauriston Gardens until 1952."

I remember all the shops in the area that other contributors have mentioned.  I also remember when Booths on the corner of Middle Arthur Place was previously 'Bells'. 

All the girls used to do handstands and play ball against their wall - the noise must have been horrendous, but I don't recall ever being told off or chased away."

St Anne's School

"A while back, Eric Gold asked about photographs of St Anne's School.  I've found two, not previously shown on your site.  They were on the 'Boston Catholic Journal' website, located on the Rare Photos of Margaret Sinclair page.

Margaret, of course, was a pupil at St Anne's and, as most Edinburgh folk will know, was born in a basement flat at No 24 Middle Arthur Place before her family moved to Blackfriars Street.

Eric's teacher was right. St Anne's was a school in Victorian times.  Itt was called 'The Edinburgh United Industrial School'.  You will find this information and more in the 'Cassells Old and New Edinburgh' link from your site.  Vol II, Chapter 31 - Page 265.

The engraving of the top part of the school had changed little by the time I attended in 1942.  I can remember going up the stairs of the turreted part of the building to the dining hall and gym.  When I visited Edinburgh in August 2007.  It hadn't changed, except it had become someone's home.

It is very difficult to imagine the warren of entries and exits of the High Street closes of the past - but it would appear that St Anne's, or at least part of it was the Royal Mint at some time.  Maybe someone can verify this.

Childhood

"I'm sure others will agree with me when I say that, anyone fortunate enough to be raised in Arthur Street or the surrounding areas, was blessed with a wonderful childhood.

 With the King's Park as our playground and enough children to ensure we were never short of friends, who could ask for better?"

Barbara Shepherd (nee Brown):  November 12, 2008

Recollections

50.

Christine Anderson (nee Keith)

Duddingston, Edinburgh

Thank you to Christine Anderson who wrote:

Salisbury Street

 "I stayed in stair No 13, Salisbury Street.

I remember Wattie McEwan who stayed there, and also the Caldwells.  I used to play with their daughter, Linda.

My Grannie, Maggie Keith lived in stair No.2.  She owned the Grocer's shop near the top of the street.  The pub was on the corner.  She also had a second-hand shop on the Pleasance 

My Granny and Grandfather, David, had four Sons, David, John, James and Andri.  They all attended James Clark's school.

Later on, they all became Painters and Decorators. They had a shop in Causewayside until war broke out and they all went into service.

Middle Arthur Place

John and Betty Keith lived in Middle Arthur  Place.   I loved the stories, like when jam jars used to get you into the Pictures etc.

I remember Dr Lipitz, and also  Charlie Drysdale and the Swans, who were friends of my Father, James /Jimmy.

Christine Anderson (nee Keith), Duddingston, Edinburgh November 23, 2008

Recollections

51.

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Bob Henderson wrote:

Dorothy Shepherd

"Dorothy Shepherd the sender recollections 49 lived just across the road from me and I even remember being at nursery with her."

Thomas McFarlane

"In today's Evening News, it was intimated that another Middly man, Thomas McFarlane, had passed away.

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh:  November 21, 2008

Recollections

52.

Helen Litalien (nee Kelly)

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Thank you to Helen Litalien for adding a comment to the guest book.

Helen wrote:

Jim Kelly, Window Cleaner

"My family name is Kelly.  We hailed from the Dumbiedykes.  My father, Jimmy Kelly, was a Window Cleaner, self employed, for nearly fifty years.  He passed away in 1991.

Jenny Kelly, now aged 93

My mother Jenny Kelly is still living in Cowdenbeath, Fife.  She is 93yrs old.  Her fondest memories are of the Dumbiedykes, Salisbury Street and Arthur Street.

Schools

I attended St Ann's, St Pat's and St Thomas's schools as did my sister's Maureen, Margaret and my brother Peter Kelly.  He went to the secondary school out at Sighthill.  (We moved to Broomhouse around 1952.)

I hope to hear from all who remember our family.

Helen Litalien (nee Kelly), San Antonio, Texas, USA
Message added to EdinPhoto guest book:  January 27, 2009

If you'd like to contact Helen, you'll find her email address in one of the entries that she posted in the EdinPhoto guest book today, January 27, 2009.

Recollections

53.

Jim Robertson

Berlin, Germany

AND

Helen Litalien (nee Kelly)

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Thank you to Jim Robertson who read Helen's comments in the EdinPhoto guest book and posted a reply in the guest book.

Dumbiedykes Road

Jim mentioned that:

-   he was born in 1938

-   he attended St Ann's and St Pat's schools

-   his family used to live at 115 Dumbiedykes Road, right opposite Brown Street and beside Barclay's shop.

Jim Robertson, Berlin, Germany:  January 28, 2009

Dumbiedykes Road

Helen replied that:

-  her (Kelly) family used to live at 113 Dumbiedykes Road

-  she remembered the Barclay shop.

-  she remembered Mrs Snowden who lived in her star.

Jim Robertson, Berlin, Germany:  January 29, 2009

Dumbiedykes Road

Jim posted another message in the guest book:

Jim's message began:

"Hallo again Helen.  Well, how about that after all these years. I will see if I can jog your memory, with some of the names I can remember.

-  Firstly at 115, there was Archie Adams, the Stantons.  They were both on the ground floor.

-  The Sutties, the Thomsons and the Rosses were on the 1st floor.

-  On the third floor, where we lived, there were also the Wallaces.

-  Right at the top were the Chalmers, Jimmy and Irene.

-  Down the street a bit at 111, or was it 109, is where Alex and George Andersons lived."

Jim, who is now living in Berlin, added:

"Berlin is a lovely place but, lets face it, there is nowhere in the world like the Dumbiedykes (ha ha)."

.Jim Robertson, Berlin, Germany:  January 29, 2009

Recollections

54.

Joe McKenzie

Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Joe McKenzie who wrote

Lower Viewcraig Row

"Our family lived in 58 Lower Viewcraig Row until about February 1963.

Ian Mycko moved into 58 Lower View when we moved out.  If I remember correctly, his dad was Michael, his mum Pauline, older brother Michael and a wee sister Vera."

McKenzie Family

"I can just remember my grandad Joe McKenzie. I never knew my own father Jimmy [Pym] McKenzie. He emigrated to Australia just after I was born.

I was brought up by his sister Rose and John Gilmartin who will always be mum and dad to me. They also had my brother and sisters:

-  Alec

-  Wilma

-  and Roseanne.

Dad's mother, Minnie, lived around the corner at 8 Prospect Terrace with his brothers:

-   wee Eck

-  Tommy

-  and Rab.

McLeod Family

We were also related to the Macleod's. Uncle Owenie and Auntie Mary also lived at 8 Prospect Terrace. They had:

-   Owen jnr.

-  Joanne

-   Mary

-  and Cathy

Minnie's sister Kate and her husband Johnny O'Day lived at 2 Prospect Street and had three sons:

-   John

-  Peter

-  and Jim.

Tam Croal is married to one of wee Eck Gilmartin's two daughters.

Friends

The Southsiders have spread far and wide since the 1950s and 1960s but I remember a lot of them, not least Eric Mackenzie when we shared the same classroom at school. 

I can just recall the Keighrans.

I remember Cathy Gormley,

-  her mother

-  her sister whose name was Leyden

-  her niece Dianne

-   and her nephew Robert.

I remember the Campbells from number 9 Prospect Place.

I looked forward to weekends when Flora and Davie Orr visited from Stenhouse Crescent with their family:

-  David

-  Morag

-  and Ross.

I see Kenny Campbell regularly at Livingston Rugby Club.

I still know Gordon Tough. He's due to retire soon.

I remember Jack Oddie and Winnie, Janice and Margaret on the top balcony."

Football

 I remember the great footballer, Kenny Blackwood.

I played football with:

-  Tosh Thompson

-  Bobby Croy

-  Packy Mason

-  John Munro

-  Allan Ross

-  Jim Robertson

-  Tam Flynn

 - Stuart Farmer

-  Kenny Clark

-  Archie Small

- Jimmy Little

-  Pud Flockhart

-  George Beattie and

-  Charlie Boyle.

Sunday was the only day we couldn't plat football up the Scotchie. That was the day the big boys played:

-  Jack Oddie

-  Willie Lennon

-  Eric Blackwood [pre Whitehill]

-  Billy Thompson

-  Bob Lamb

-  Georgie and Stevie Lawson

-  David McIntosh

-  Jimmy Hansen

-   Alex O'Hara

-  Jimmy Miller

-  Sammy Hewitt and

-  George Hush."

 Music

"I remember:

-  Peter Bottomley and the Embers

-  Butch and the Bandits with Jim Di Mambro

-  Sonny Walker, Derek Hannah, I think Jim Bennett and Collette.

How many can remember Derek Hannah's cousin Kenny McLean playing drums for a group called Boots.  Kenny and Derek stayed up number 5 Prospect Street as did Allan and Victor Ross."

Joe McKenzie, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland:  February 23, 2009
Thank you to Viv for forwarding Joe's message (above) to me.

Contributors to EdinPhoto Web Site

Several of the people mentioned above by Joe McKenzie have already contributed to the EdinPhoto web site, including:

-  Ian Mycko, now living in Gilmerton, Edinburgh.

-  Tam Croal, who has me sent several photos taken by his dad, Wullie.   I have added these to the EdinPhoto web site.

-  Eric McKenzie (Eric Gold), now living in East London.

-  Peter Bottomley, now living at North Gyle, Edinburgh.

-  Jim Di Mambro, now living in South Africa

Peter Stubbs:  February 23, 2009

Recollections

55

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Henderson who saw this photograph, looking down on Dumbiedykes following demolition in the mid-1960s

©

 and wrote:

Looking down on Dumbiedykes

Following Demolition

"This picture brought back so many memories.

To make it easy for myself, I have taken the liberty of using a copy to add a few notes.

©

Please click on the thumbnail image above to enlarge it, and read Bob's memories about playing in the park

Bob Henderson:  Burdiehouse, Edinburgh:  March 1, 2009.

Recollections

56

Jack Craig

Silverknowes, Edinburgh

Thank you to Jack Craig who wrote, after seeing this photo:

©

The Cat's Nick

"That's an interesting view, looking down from the Crags.  I think the particular spot from where the photo was taken is The Cats Nick, which is immediately above The Giant Steps which are accessed just up towards Jimmy’s (James Clark School) about 200 yards from the Holyrood roundabout.

These distances are from recall, but next time I am down that way I must be more precise."

The Giant Steps

"Many a time, while living in Montague Street, as a 10 year old, I and my friends would climb The Giant Steps then up The Cat's Nick.

If only Mother had known, she would have killed me."

Hunter's Bog

"I also I recall going to Hunters Bog to the rifle range and collecting the lead bullets from behind the targets and trading them for cash." 

Your mother probably would not have been too happy about that, as well!              -  Peter Stubbs

Jack Craig, Silverknowes, Edinburgh:  March 2, 2009

Recollections

57

Jimmy Kelly

Thank you to Jimmy Kelly who wrote:

Geordie Borthwick's Stair

"I was born in 1941 and lived at 9 East Arthur Place (Eastie) until 1958/59 in 'Geordie Borthwick's stair'.

The kids had a song about him beginning:

Geordie Borthwick sells fish,

Tuppence hae-penny a dish.

Dinnae buy it.

Dinnae buy it.

Fur he dips it in p***."

Motor Bikes

"I think it was in the same shop that my future brother-in-law, Alex Horne, kept motor bikes.  Also on the ground flat were the Hutchison brothers(?). 

On the first flat was Davie McIntosh, a popular 'box player'.   (accordionist). His cousins, the Robertsons  stayed next door.

I also remember:

-  the Jordans

-  the Coyles

-  the Hendersons

-  the Rogers.

More Neighbours

"We stayed on the top flat, with great views of Salisbury Crags., There were three flights of tenement steps to get there, but we had an inside lavvie.

Other families and people that I remember in Eastie are:

-  MacKenzies

-  MacMillans

-  Deighans

-  Smiberts

-  Ballantynes

-  Cairns

-  Neils

-  Whites

-  Connoboys

-  Phillips

-  Croals

-  Cosgroves

-  Mitchels

-  Days

-  Arthurs

-  Waughs

-  Kerrs

-  Geoghens

-  Reids

-  Phillips, the doo (pigeon) man."

Pals

"Some pals I played with were (all from Eastie):

-  Ross Cairns

-  Donny Neil

-  John Ballantyne

-  Dave McIntosh

-  Davie Reid

-  Billy Day

-  Franny Kerr

-  John Henderson

-  Tam and George Simbert

and possibly:

-  Joe Cole

-  Eddie Blackie"

Later, my mates included guys from Middle Arthur Place and the Brae:

-  John Young

-  Tony Welsh

-  Alex Law

-  John MacFarlane

-  Gerrald Cullen."

Schools

"My schools were

-  St Ann's

-  St Pat's

-  St Anthony's

Barrie's Trip

"I'd like to find some information or photos of Barrie's Trip.  That was an annual outing for 'pair bairns' (poor children) to Spylaw Park or Colinton Dell.  The outing was run from the Grassmarket Mission

One of the Henderson boys (Jimmy, I think.) and I had our 'picture took' and published in the News, with our knap coats, tinnies (metal cups) tied round our necks, our bags of buns any our name tags fastened to our coats.  I don't think parents were allowed.  Happy days.

We even had a song:

A'm no gaun tae Barrie's trip

A'm no gaun again

A'm no gaun tae Barrie's trip

Fur it ayways comes oan rain."

Jimmy Kelly:  March 28, 2009

Recollections

58

Patsy Quinn (nee McIlholm)

After reading the comments about Davy Bertram and his funeral (40 to 43 above) Patsy Quinn wrote

Davy Bertram's Sister

"I wonder if anybody knows the whereabouts of Davy Bertram's sister, Anne.  I am keen to find her for I've not seen her for years and would dearly love to see her again.  I used to work with her in the bonds and she was a great laugh.

Patsy Quinn:  April 11, 2009

Answer?

If you can suggest how Patsy might be able to contact Anne again, please email me then I'll pass on your message to Patsy.

Thank you.  -  Peter Stubbs:  April 11, 2009

Recollections

59.

Eric Gold

East End, London, England

Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote:

Davy Bertram's Sister

"Ann Bertram moved to the Channel Islands years ago.  I’m sure she either owns or runs a guesthouse on the island with her husband.

She always came back you visit her dad and mum (Big Davie and Maisie) her older brother (Davie, known as Dadie)  and wee brother (Donald) who was my mate in Arthur Street at the time.

The Bertrams were good pals of our family.  I also visited them after they had moved to the Inch, when I was on leave from the boats."

Eric Gold, East End, London, England:  April 13, 2009

   Recollections

60.

Cathy Rogers

Little France, Edinburgh

Thank you to Cathy Rogers who wrote:

Prospect Street

"I was born at 9 Prospect Street in 1949  lived  there till I was about 10 years old and we moved to Little France.  My mother, Fayme Henderson, was born in Prospect Street and my dad Jimmy Simpson, was born in Prospect Terrace  

I went to Milton Street school.   I remember  some kids who  I used to play with:

-  Berty Nelson

-  Johnny Boyle and his brother, Charlie

-  Sylvia Sutherland

-  Frances Savage

-  The Broon family that lived in the next stair to us.  They lived on the top flat.

I remember, in August 1959, there were five boys born to four families - my brother was one.  And there were twins whose  mother, May Savage, lived on first floor of 9 Prospect Street."

Cathy Rogers, Little France, Edinburgh:  July 27, 2009

  Recollections

61.

John Foster

Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you John Foster who wrote:

East Arthur Place

"We lived with Bill Mackenzie in East Arthur Place in the mid- 1950's.  My brother was Albert and my sister was Jane.  My mother died in 1956 and the family were split up."

Arthur Street

"Does anybody remember:

-   Tommy and Billy Fair?

-   wee Celia or Mary Taylor?

They lived in Arthur Street opposite East Arthur Place, next door to the shop."

John Foster, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland:
message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, September 6, 2009

  Recollections

62.

Eric Gold

East End, London, England

Eric Gold replied to John Foster's comments in 61 above:

The Fair Family

"My sister knew the Fair family of Arthur Street, well.  She was a good friend of Mary Fair.  I think Mary was the sister of Tommy and Billy Fair."

Eric Gold, East End, London, England:  September 15, 2009

  Recollections

63.

Alec Farrell

Reichenbach, Germany

Alec Farrell wrote:

Middle Arthur Place

"I came across your home page by chance and it thrilled me to read about Middle Arthur Place, especially the note from Tom Harrison about Jimmy Mc Gill and myself."

Tam's comments are on "Dumbiedykes - Houses & Streets" Recollections 23.

Dave Bertram

"It was also sad to read about Dave Bertram. I remember the Sunday evenings when his dad would arrange for the children to sing in the street across from his stairwell.

I remember always being in a hurry to get home from Granton in time to take part. The whole Street would take part in the singing."

Alec Farrell, Reichenbach, Germany:  Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook:  December 27, 2009

  Recollections

64.

John Munro

West Lothian, Scotland

John Munro wrote:

Heriot Mount

"I lived with my family at 6 Heriot Mount from 1952/53 until we were 'slum cleared' at the start of 1963.  Looking at Wullie Croal's photos  brought back many memories.

The pictures of the children and women in the back green at Heriot Mount  brought to mind little parties and concerts that the mothers of local kids would hold in the back greens during the summer.

In the photograph of the women, I think one of them may be a lady called Hogg who helped run the local Life Boy and Boys' Brigade group."

Fight

"My mother's name was Marion Munro. My dad was generally known as Jock. He was a bit of a regular at McSherry's bar, round the corner at the top of the Dumbiedykes.

I remember, one summer night, I had got into a fight with a local boy and gave him a wee bit of a 'doing'.  His dad chased after me and ended up going into McSherry's to remonstrate with my dad.

He needn't have bothered as my dad was sick and tired of me being attacked by other kids and not defending myself, so he was rather proud that I was standing up for myself at last.

It ended up with the other man getting into a fight with my father and getting a bit of a 'doing' as well."

Cosmopolitan

"One of the things which I've noticed about this part of the South Side, which has not been discussed much  is how relatively cosmopolitan it was by the standards of the day.

We had a couple of Italian-run shops.  By the time I lived there I think the shop on the corner of Heriot Mount had passed to a family called Di Carlo[?].

Down the Dumbiedykes, we had what was probably one of Edinburgh's first Sikh families. There was also a fairly strong Jewish influence in the area. There was the Salisbury synagogue not too far away and a couple of the local shops were Jewish owned.

We got our Sunday rolls from either Stenberg (I think) up Causewayside or Bialek.   By the time I left the South Side, I was quite used to Jewish rye bread, matzohs, cheese cake etc. so when I used to work in a London market, with a lot of Jewish traders, years later, I fitted in quite well.

The butcher's shop at Dumbiedykes, Grubers, was originally German or Austrian owned I think."

George Heriot's School

"I won a scholarship to George Heriot's school in 1962, and for about the last year I lived in Heriot Mount I had to go to school, each day, wearing shorts, a blazer and a cap.

I think I used to leave about 3 in the morning and come back at 9 at night so my pals couldn't see me."

Today

"I'm now, newly retired from teaching and living quietly and happily, with my wife, in West Lothian.  I'd move back to the South Side like a shot."

John Munro:  West Lothian, Scotland:  January 21, 2010

  Recollections

65.

Ken Matthews
(formerly Ken Egerton)

Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland

John Munro wrote:

Johnny and The Falcons

"My name (now) is Ken Matthews.  When I used to live at Dumbiedykes, my stepfather (in England) had changed it to Egerton, a name remembered by Frankie Connor in the article about Johnny and the Falcons.

Talking about Johnny and the Falcons, we used to play everywhere, including The Palais in Fountainbridge.  We were the 'wee band'.

One night, we were playing in 'The Spiders Web' in Dalry Road when we were approached by a ‘Promoter’ from Glasgow, who asked us to go through to Glasgow to auditionor him.

We did, and he took Frankie and me aside.  Frank was lead guitar and I was rhythm guitar. 'I could use you two in my band.' he said. 'What band is that?' we asked.  'Dean Ford and the Gaylords' he replied.

We knew of them.  They played at Ibrox at half-time and we regarded them as our rivals.  The Glasgow – Edinburgh rivalry.

'What about Johnny Campbell and Danny Lynch?'  (our singer and drummer) we asked.  We were incensed by his answer: 'They’re crap, it’s you two I want.'

To cut a long story short, we took umbrage at his description of our mates and walked out on him. Within six months Dean Ford and the Gaylords had changed their name to 'Marmalade' and were Top of the Pops…            OOOpppsss… "

Ken Matthews, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland:  February 12, 2010

Dumbiedykes  -  People and Play

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