Recollections

1.

Alex McEwan

Australia

Thank you to Alex McEwan for leaving a message in the gust book.

Alex wrote:

Family

"From about 1942 until about 1955, I lived in what we called the 'pend' right next to Davie's Café, which is now the kids farm in Gorgie Road.

My brother and I were brought up by my mother because my father left us when I was 2.  But my brother and I turned out OK.  I also have twin half-sisters, somewhere in Edinburgh.

I've lived in Oz for the past 38yrs."

Laundry

"I went to Dalry School, then to Tynecastle School.  (Happy memories.)

I remember the laundry, right opposite Tynecastle school.   My mate, Norman, and I used to make a few bob putting the ladies washing tubs on a old pram we had and taking them up McLeod Street."

Beer

"We used to get into the Hearts ground after the matches and pinch the beer bottles.  We got, I think, either a penny or tuppence back on them from the Greentree Pub, but once we got chased by these two huge dogs and just made it to the fence."

Fish & Chips

"The best fish and chips were in Wardlaw Place.  It was always packed."

Biscuits and Rolls

"We used to get the broken biscuits and day-old rolls."

Tivoli Cinema

 "I used to like visiting the blacksmith's shop, just round the corner from the Tivoli Cinema.

Does anyone remember getting into the Saturday serials?   I think we paid thrupence and a couple of jam jars.  Glass was scarce after the war.

And how many of you paid for one, then opened the side door for your mates, and sometimes got caught?  Them were the days!"

Football

"We used to play football nearly all day in Ballgreen Park."

Asa Wass

"Reading some of these posts, Asa Wass's yard was a popular place.  He was a very nice man.  You never haggled.  He said his price and that was it, but he would give regular customers a wee bit more."

Dance Halls

"Our dance halls were the Palais, the Lugarno* and the Cavendish at Tollcross.  I never set foot in Fairleys."

*  See also 'Recollections 4 and 5, below.

Work

"I used to work in the tannery, and at Ingles Green Laundry, and at the rubber mill.

I used to be a conductor on the buses, as well.  My father came on my bus and thought he was going to get a free ride but I charged him the shilling for his fare."

Return to Edinburgh

"We've been back to Edinburgh a few times and we've seen all the changes."

Alex McEwan:  Message in Edinphoto Guest Book: June 4, 2008

Recollections

2.

Janet Porteous

(née Janet Horne Cleland Eagle)

Northern England

Thank you to Janet Porteous for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guest book.

Janet also sent a reply from her mother's to Alex McEwan's recollections of living in Gorgie (1 above):

Janet Porteous' mother wrote, to Alex McEwan:

The Pend

"I lived in Wheatfield Road, Gorgie.  I know the 'pend' that you mention.  My Mother's cousin lived there.  Maybe you knew them.  They were Adam Fraser and his wife Margaret (Peggy)."

The Tinny

"I used to use Davie's Café a lot when I was younger.  Like you I also went to Tynecastle School and used 'The Tinny' (washhouse)."

The Green Tree

"The Green Tree pub* was certainly on the corner of McLeod Street.  Then, we would get our chips at Wardlaw Place.

*    No.  See 'Recollections 14' below

Entertainment

I used to go to the Lucano* in Slateford Rd. I also remember Dalhaigs where the tannery used to be.  The Tivoli was very popular as was the Poole's Roxy cinema and the Lyceum.

*    See also 'Recollections 4 and 5, below.

Sadly, the Roxy is now a shop and some flats and the Lyceum, and Lucano are now gone.  The Tivoli is just a shell now and the Palais de Dance now, like a lot of cinemas now, has become a Bingo Hall! ** "

** The Bingo Hall in the old Palais de Dance building at Fountainbridge has now also closed.  Many new developments are being built around it.  A new Bingo Hall, Cinema and Bowling Alley opened a few years ago at Fountain Park, about half a mile to the west of the Palais.  - November 15, 2008

Move from Edinburgh

"I no longer live in Edinburgh. We moved to Northern England 40+ years ago, but I still miss it.  I love to get up as often as I can to see the changes in my city - some good and some, well, not so good!"

Janet Porteous, née Janet Horne Cleland Eagle
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, November 4, 2008

**  The Bingo Hall in the old Palais de Dance building at Fountainbridge has now also closed, and a lot of new developments are being built around it.

A new Bingo Hall, Cinema and Bowling Alley opened a few years ago at Fountain Park, about half a mile to the west of the Palais.

Recollections

3.

Alex McEwan

Australia

Thank you to Alex McEwan who for posting replies to a message from Janet Porteous in the EdinPhoto guest book.  Alex believes that Janet may not have found his replies in the guest book

I've included details from Alex's replies below, and hope that Janet might find them here.  Unfortunately, I don't know Janet's email address so I'm not able to contact her.

Alex wrote:

Message for Janet Porteous

"I think i may have got the Christian Name wrong for  the lady I was referring to.  I think she was called Jean Fraser.  She lived 2 doors along from us.  I can only remember one family of Frasers.

If you'd like me to tell you more stories, let me know and I'll gladly tell you them.  They are quite amusing."

Messages posted in EdinPhoto guest book
 by Alex McEwan, Northern England, November 18+22, 2008

Janet

If you'd like to contact Alex, please email me, then I'll give you his contact details.

-  Peter Stubbs:  December 1, 2008

Recollections

4.

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith who wrote about the name of the dance hall in Slateford Road, described as 'The Lugarno' (in  1 above) and as 'The Lucano' (in 2 above).

George wrote:

'The Locarno'

"I'm sure that the dance hall in Slateford Road was called 'The Locarno'.  It was built above a garage and a terrace of shops, the most westward of which was a chip shop.

The street frontage was of a glossy black glass-like material.  I think, too, that  there was a pool hall in the upper premises.

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada:  February 5, 2009

Recollections

5.

Robert Brotherston

Forster, New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to Robert Brotherston for sending the comments below, after reading the messages from Alex McEwan (in recollections 1 and 3 above)

Robert wrote:

Newton Street

"I was born in Gorgie in January 1930.   I lived in Newton Street for 25 years as a child, and went to Dalry school.

Whenwhen i was 9 years old, war started and I was evacuated to Linlithgow.  The war finished when I was 14, and I returned home to Newton Street."

HC Hutchison's Garage

"I went to work for HC Hutchison's garage at Ardmillan, and had to wait until I was 16 before starting an apprenticeship.  I started  in the Spare Parts Dept, then moved up to serving petrol.  I used to get a few tips."

The Tivoli

"The best tip I was getting was from Mr Robertson.  He was the Manager of the Tivoli and the Dominion cinemas.  He used to give me a pass to the Tivoli.  The Saturday Matinee was very good.  I was a member of the Mickey Mouse Club.  Sometimes, Tommy Walker gave us a talk.  Hee was very popular."

Pubs and Steamie

"On the opposite side of the street, there was a gents' toilet where the kids' farm is now.  Thirty yards along was the Green Tree pub.

The Tynecastle Arms was at the corner of McLeod Street and down Mc Leod Street was the steamie (wash house, laundry)."

The Locarno

"The Locarno was a dance hall and a pool room.  My wife, Jean's grandad laid the dance floor.  Below, was a garage.  I was the Foreman Mechanic there for 13yrs.  It was owned by Martin's the Bakers."

Move to Australia

"I left Gorgie in 1976 and moved to Australia.  Two years later, Martins ceased to operate."

Robert Brotherston, Forster, New South Wales, Australia:  February 17, 2009

Recollections

6.

Robert Brotherston

Forster, New South Wales, Australia

Robert Brotherston added:

Ice Cream Shop

"Opposite Newton Street was an ice cream shop, owned by Dina.  Most Sunday nights, I would go there for hot peas and vinegar, a real treat."

Chip Shop

"A couple of shops along was the chippie, run by Jimmy Haliburton.  My favourite was a white pudding supper."

Sweetie Shops

"Another haunt was the sweetie shop, owned by Jennie Halliday.  I also got my comics there.  You could always swop them when you had read them.

Another sweetie shop doon the road made home made table ."

Dairy

"The dairy was owned by Andrew Cruickshank.  On a Sunday morning, I would get my well-fired rolls and bran scones there."

Butcher Shop

"Leadbetter had the butcher shop.  My fav. was potted heid.

Memories

"This was all of 60+ years ago, all very good memories which I am happy to share."

Robert Brotherston, Forster, New South Wales, Australia:  February 19, 2009

Recollections

7.

Alistair Rankine

Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia

Thank you to Alistair Rankine for leaving a message in the Edinphoto guest book.

Alistair wrote:

Gorgie Road

"I lived near Alex Mc Ewan of (1 above) 'The Pend'.  I actually lived at 61 Gorgie Road, above the then Kirkcaldy Linoleum Shop. This tenement block no longer exists and is now Gorgie Farm.

Davie's Café was always popular. I used to have lunch there instead of 'School Dinners'.

Jenny Haliday's shop, opposite Whitepark was popular for her home-made tablet.   My Mother used to work in her shop.

Before moving to 61 we lived at 144 and had a great view of Hearts home games.

The Athletic Arms (Campbells) on the corner of McLeod Street and the Gravediggers at the top of Ardmillan were my Dad's locals.

If anyone remembers me I would love to hear from them if there is a way you can get my email address from this site."

Alistair Rankine, Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia:
Message posted in Edinphoto Guest Book:  February 26, 2009

Recollections

8.

Alistair Rankine

Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia

Thank you to Alistair for writing again with more recollections of Gorgie.

Alistair wrote:

Snooker Saloons

"I remember Sandy Cook's Snooker Hall in Gorgie Road,  just past Stewart Terrace, where you could learn to play on Table 4 which they called the golf course.  Once you could play on that table you graduated to the better tables.  It only cost 6d for half an hour, back in the early-1950s.

There was another snooker hall, called the Haymarket Saloon in Dalry Road.  It was opposite Caledonian Crescent.

Also in Slateford Road was the New Carlton, which was a bit more up-market."

Dance Halls

"Westfield Halls was a popular 'Saturday night out', with Davie Mann's band.  It was there that you learned to jive.

The Locarno in Slateford was also a popular place.  It changed its name to Paulenas at one time, then back to Locarno.

Back Greens

"The back greens to the tenement houses in Gorgie Road from 164 to 96 were popular places to play football, rounders, cricket and a few other games.

I remember some of the lads from this area:

-  No 154:  Archie & Norman Currie

-  No 144:  Billy Sibbald & Alistair Rankine

-  No 134:  Raymond & Norman Tookey

-  No 124:  Lillian Marr & Marina Rankine

-  No 116:  Joyce Gorrie
Margaret Jack
Mary & Margaret Sweeney

-  No 110:  Dave & Kenneth Gray

We had some great times.

I wonder if any of the above remember these times."

Alistair Rankine, Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia:
Message posted in Edinphoto Guest Book:  March 16, 2009

Recollections

9.

Elizabeth Lanzon (née Boal)

New York, USA

Elizabeth Lanzon wrote:

T&H Smith

"Does anyone remember T&H Smith, Manufacturing Chemicals Co?   I believe it was on Wheatfield Road, off Gorgie.

I worked for the company from 1950 until 1957 when I left to get married.  I really loved that job, great people and was treated very well by all. 

I loved to go to the Palais,  the Plaza up Morningside area, and occasionally to  the Cavendish.

I'd love to hear comments from anybody who remembers the company."

Elizabeth Lanzon (née Boal), New York, USA:  December 3+13, 2009

Recollections

10.

Ken Smith

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Thank you to Ken Smith for replying to  wrote:

T&H Smith

"In my day, we also knew the place as the 'Chemical Works'.  My mother (Chrissie Smith) worked there from after the war until well into the 1960s.

She was part of the cleaning staff.  She left early in the morning to walk, in all kind of weather, from Whitson to Wheatfield.  She would get back home at around 10am.

I don't know if this will mean anything to Elizabeth Boal.

Ken Smith, Alberta, Canada:  December 14, 2009

Hi Ken:  I've sent an email to Elizabeth to let her know about your reply.  -  Peter Stubbs  Dec 17, 2009

Recollections

11.

Ken Smith

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

and

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George Smith and to Ken Smith for sending me this poem about Gorgie:

Gorgie Poem

"O Gorgie Road when we were wee

Was sicca place for fun and glee

D’ye min’ Saughton Games oan summer nights

Levoi an tig an’ bonfire nights?

The favourite haunts for us tae meet

Was Westfield Road and Westfield Street"

George Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada:  Mar 27, 2010
and Ken Smith, Calgary, Alberta, Canada:  Mar 28, 2010

Who wrote the Poem?

The poem has 40 lines but I have only reproduced the first six lines here.  If you know who wrote the poem, please email me so that I can contact them and seek their permission to add the whole of their poem to this page.

Thank you .    -  Peter Stubbs:  April 2, 2010

Update  -  December 2017

I've still not discovered who wrote this poem. 

However, Janice Conner (Gorgie) sent me an email today enclosing a copy of the whole poem.  Thank you, Janice.

Janice tells me that the poem was read out as part of a eulogy at a recent funeral that she attended.  She does not know who wrote the poem.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  11 December 2017

Recollections

12.

Lorna Hanna

Innerleithen, Scottish Borders, Scotland

Lorna Hanna wrote

Wardlaw Terrace

"My granny lived with her mum, three sisters and one brother in Wardlaw Terrace.  My mum was born there in 1944.

I just wondered if anyone remembered my granny.  She was named Janet (Jenny) Cowan, and her mum was Isabella.  I'd would love to hear from anyone who can help

Lorna Hanna, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders, Scotland.
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook:  April

Reply?

If you'd like to send a reply to Lorna, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her.

Thank you .    -  Peter Stubbs:  April 17, 2010

Recollections

13.

George Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George Smith who wrote:

Scouting

58thTroop  -  Gorgie

"At the age of 12, I joined the Boy Scouts at the 42nd Troop at the Candlish Church in Colinton Road.

A year or two later I gave up its green with grey edge neckerchief and joined the nearer 58th Gorgie troop (yellow with black edging) at the now demolished church on Slateford Road opposite the Lyceum cinema."

Drills

"I studied for several proficiency badges and rose to Troop Leader .  We drilled and held weekly meetings in the church hall and had other meetings in a loft, our 'den', over some former stables on a site between Mackenzie & Moncur's foundry and the brewery maltings - now flats?"

Camps

"Hikes and weekend camps at Bonaly Towers and in the Pentlands and Moorfoots in addition to 'wide games' in such as Craiglockhart Dell were among our activities. I learned useful skills like map reading and elementary surveying and camp cookery as well as social skills like self discipline and team work."

Jamboree near Paris

Learning to Dance

"In 1947 I was selected to join the Edinburgh contingent to the 'Jamboree Mondiale De La Paix' at Moissons near Paris.   Prior to going, we had to learn to dance!

Taught by a redoubtable but patient lady we learned to do a passable 'pas de bas' which was to be basic to our national display at the Jamboree."

The Journey

"We gathered in a school in Infirmary Street one evening, slept fitfully there till early morning when we marched down to the Waverley to join our special train to Newhaven in Sussex, where we arrived in time for a night ferry to Boulogne."

Displays and Games

"At the Jamboree there were delegations from many countries all of whom put on some sort of display in a large central arena.  The Indian delegation was celebrating Independence.

The various countries played competitive games. I played rugby against an Australian team. I think we won and I have bored people for years on the tale of how I played for Scotland against Australia.  Strangely enough many years later in conversation with my elder son's father-in-law from Dundee it transpired that he too was in the same team!"

Highland Dancing

"Our display was a mass display of Highland Dancing in the form of several sets of eightsomes, four sixteensomes and one 32- some set in the centre. We marched into the arena to the 'Black Bear ' a march notable, I believe, for its pauses."

Learning French

"At the end of the jamboree some of us stayed on for a couple of weeks hosted by French families. I stayed with a war widow and her twin sons in Nevers in Burgundy and had my first encounter with good food well cooked, good wine and French girls.

My spoken French improved immeasurably and corresponding with the girls improved my written French and this proved valuable in my 'Highers' the following spring."

Journey Home

"I cannot remember the homeward journey though there was an adult Scoutmaster with us to oversee it.  I think he was an antique dealer from the Lawnmarket"

Experiences

"The experiences  formed a strong element in my growing up and I have been grateful for them."

George Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada:  August 8, 2010

Recollections

14.

James McDougall

Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Thank you to James McDougall who wrote:

The Green Tree

"I noticed that Janet Porteous (Recollectons 2 above) referred to The Green Tree as being in McLeod Street.  In fact, that was the Tynecastle Arms.

The Green Tree was on the other side of Gorgie Road, just past Gorgie Farm.

The reason I know this is that I worked in the pub, just before I came out to Australia."

James McDougall, Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia:  September 12, 2010

Recollections

15.

Neil Lawrence

Fountainbridge, Edinburgh

Thank you to Neil Lawrence who wrote:

Corporation Ash Depot

"Here is a photo taken at the Corporation Ash Depot. where ashes from everybody’s fires were loaded onto waiting railway wagons.

©

The roadways were ramped to allow carts to dump waste ash straight into open topped wagons."

Accident

"My wife’s Grandad, Robert Porteous, worked there until the 1940s.  He is in this photo, holding one of his work horses with its flags and horse brasses.  The photo may have been taken as part of the celebration of the end of he war in 1945.

Robert was killed after being kicked in the head by the horse in 1946.  He was survived by his 5 children and beloved wife Alison Melville Porteous who died in 1994.  My wife shares her name."

The Photo

"This land was later used as a Police Box Dump, and is now 'Gorgie City Farm'.  The cottages in the foreground are demolished now.  I remember playing in their ruins in the 1970s.

The tenements in the background are the current tenements in Newton Street, just off Gorgie Road."

Neil Lawrence, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh:  October 13, 2010

Thank you to Neil Lawrence for telling me about when he used to play on this site in 1976/77.  At that time, the site was a 'Police Box Dump'

Recollections

16.

Ken Smith

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Thank you to Ken Smith who wrote:

The Site of Gorgie Ash Depot

"When I grew up in Edinburgh (1930 to 1948) the lane in this Google Earth view was used to enter the ash depot.  My aunt lived on the top floor in the tenement to the left.

©

The building to the right with the red door was a men's' urinal, with an attendant who kept it clean.  It was a very busy spot after a football game at Tynecastle and when the many pubs closed!"

Ken Smith, Calgary, Alberta, Canada:  October 18, 2010

Recollections

17.

Neil Lawrence

Fountainbridge, Edinburgh

Thank you to Neil Lawrence for writing again with more details about this photo.

Neil added:

Corporation Ash Depot

Now Gorgie Farm

"The houses in the foreground of the picture, just behind the horse and cart are in Tynecastle Lane.

©

I checked this on the old maps.  They must have been there for a while as they were on the 1876 OS map.  They are named as Tynecastle Lane on the on the 1895 OS map."

Neil Lawrence, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh:  November 2, 2010

Recollections

18.

David Wood

Newmarket, Suffolk, England

Thank you to David Wood who wrote

Cattle Market

"I grew up in a house at Hutchison Terrace, and I have many happy memories of playing in and around Gorgie cattle market and its associated station(s) which were little used by the 1950's."

Stations

"One station, Gorgie West (I presume), was regularly used to unload Chipperfield Circus trains and, occasionally, for troop movements from Redford Barracks.

This station had two sidings adjacent to St Cuthbert's Laundry, which had some curious features.   The 'platform' was set at the height of the wagon roofs while the buffer end of the tracks was hidden from the road (Chesser Avenue) by a carefully constructed corrugated iron screen.

I have not been able to think of any good reasons for these features - if anyone can shed light on them I would be very interested."

David Wood, Newmarket, Suffolk, England:  December 30, 2010

Reply to David?

If you can think of any reason for the station features that David mentions, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to him.  Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  December 30, 2010

Recollections

19.

Douglas William Garry

Hutchison, Edinburgh

Thank you to Douglas Garry who wrote:

Gorgie Farm

"I lived from the day I was born in 1948 until 1960 in 61 Gorgie Road, then we moved out to Saughton Mains.

 I played with my friends in the areas that are now Gorgie Farm. Names I remember are:

-  David Slater

-  Norman Thomson

-  Bobby & Jennifer Darling

-  George Bremner

-  Tommy Williamson

-   Ian Hardy.

-  Tommy Thomson"

Civil Defence

"I remember the area being used by the Civil Defence, and the empty cottages in Tynecastle Lane being  restructured for the civil defence training though I don't recall seeing anyone there.

In the very last (top) cottage was an old lady who was the last to leave."

Douglas William Garry, Hutchison, Edinburgh:  January 23, 2011

School Photo

Douglas also sent me this photograph of his class at Dalry Primary School:

    ©

Douglas says he would be interested to make contact with any of the pupils.

Recollections

20.

Ian Harding

Gorgie, Edinburgh

Thank you to Ian Harding who wrote:

Granny's House

"Thanks to the EdinPhoto web site, I have been able to link up with both an inter-family and personal friend from my old days, which we all spent together when visiting my Granny's house at 61 Gorgie Road (circa 1939-58)."

The Dungies

"Sadly, the area is now known as the Gorgie Farm but, as youngsters, we enjoyed utilising it and exploring it, when it was regarded as the `dungies`; an Edinburgh Council facility used for stabling the horses and carts required to uplift the daily refuse collection.

School

"My Gran was a cleaner at my old school, Tynecastle, for  37 years."

Memories

"My memories of Gorgie and Tynecastle are immense.  I've been reading through some of the other memories submitted, and remember the people from when they were babies or were running errands for thier parents.  (lol).

Ian Harding, Gorgie, Edinburgh:  Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, April 15, 2011

Recollections

21.

Douglas William Garry

Hutchison, Edinburgh

Thank you to Douglas Garry who wrote about the time when he used to live at 61 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh.

Douglas wrote

Chocolate Delivery

"My Granny (née Davidson) Garry & Grandad lived all of their married lives in Stewart Terrace. I well remember going to the terrace to play with my cousin Ted Garry and ended up (on a Wednesday as I recall) grabbing mugs.

This was an afternoon that the tanker brought the hot liquid chocolate to the McVitie factory. The intake valve from the tanker was in a window, half way down the street.

All the kids grabbed a container/s and assembled around the driver of the tanker. when he had delivered the factory chocolate he disconnected the intake pipe from the tanker.  The remaining chocolate from the hose was poured into the awaiting mugs and cups of all sorts.

The driver did this with fun and relish knowing that he had given all us kids such a pleasure.  Who ever he was, thank you very much for being a great human being."

Douglas William Garry, Hutchison, Edinburgh:
   1.  email about Gorgie received January 23, 2011
   2.  message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, August 14, 2011

Recollections

22.

Thomas Smith

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Thank you to Thomas Smith who wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

"I was born at No. 6 Gorgie Cottages in 1954.  My grandparents lived there:

-  My Grandfather Charlie Smith was an S.P. (Starting Price) Bookie at the Wheatsheaf Pub, which I believe is no longer there anymore.

- My Grandmother lived at the cottages until 1970.  She passed away there at the age of 93.

-  I have two older sisters, Ina and Agnes.  They used to play with another Smith Family who, I believe, started the Smith's Crisps Company."

Looking for Photos

"I'd like to find some old photos of Gorgie Cottages.  I know we had some during the Coronation of the Queen, as we were a very tight knit family. if you could email any photo's it would be greatly appreciated."

Looking for People

"I'd like to hear from anyone who lived in that area and remembers my family  -  including  Jemima, the very nice lady who ran the shop in front of our cottages and her family."

Thomas Charles Smith, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia:  September 27, 2011

Reply to Thomas?

If you'd like to send a reply to Thomas, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to him.    Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  September 28, 2011

Recollections

23.

Raymond Porteous

Raymond Porteous wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

"My Grandma & Grandad lived in Gorgie Cottages.  I don't know which number they lived at.  They left  to go to Saughton Mains but I'm not sure when that was.

My Grandparents were John & Margaret (Peggy) Menzies.  They had 3 children, Mary, Margaret (my Mum, born 1939) & Ian.  My Mum and  Uncle Ian are still alive & well but sadly Grandma, Grandad & Auntie Mary have long since died."

Raymond Porteous, September 28, 2011

Please see also:   'Reply 1' below

Recollections

23.

Reply

1.

John Dickson

Royston, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Dickson for adding:

Gorgie Cottages

"There is a photo of Gorgie Cottages on page 42 of Malcolm Cant's book:   'Old Gorgie'."

John Dickson, Broughton Edinburgh:  October 1, 2011

Recollections

24.

June Falconer

Old Town, Edinburgh

June Falconer wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

"My grandparents, David and Margaret Gray, stayed in Gorgie Cottages and I am not sure where they were.  I assume it is what is now called Stenhouse Road.

My grandfather, owned the blacksmiths along Gorgie Road, opposite the entrance to Saughton Park in the early 1900s. 

Any furtherinformation that you can give me would be greatly appreciated."

June Falconer, Old Town, Edinburgh:  October 28, 2011

Please see also:   'Reply 1' below

Recollections

24.

Reply

1.

Peter Stubbs

Edinburgh

Old Gorgie

Reply 23 above also refers to Gorgie Cottage and mentions a book where a photo of them can be found: - 'Old Gorgie' by Malcolm Cant  ISBN 1 84033 212 3

This book has many interesting old views of Gorgie with captions accompanying them.

Below is the caption in this book that accompanies the photograph of Gorgie Crescent on page 42.  Malcolm does not specifically refer to these houses as being Gorgie Cottages, but I assume from John Dickson's comments above that's what they were.

Gorgie Crescent

"In 1904 these very distinctive houses with projecting windows and outside stairs formed part of Gorgie Crescent, which lay between Alexander Drive and Westfield Road ***

Originally, the crescent was reached directly from Gorgie Road but that entrance was blocked off by the construction of the flats and shops (with the projecting balconies) which were built on Gorgie Road in 1925.

Many of the occupants of Gorgie Crescent worked nearby at Cox's glue works."

Malcolm Cant 'Old Gorgie', P.42

***   i.e. on the north side of Gorgie Road, about 1/2 mile to the east of Saughton Park.

Recollections

24.

Reply

2.

John Dickson

Royston, Edinburgh

Gorgie Cottage

Thank you to John Dickson for giving me the exact location of Gorgie Cottages.  They are, in fact, the houses in Gorgie Crescent described in Malcolm Cant's book in Reply 1 above.

Gorgie Cottages were situated immediately to the SE of the Gorgie Mills' Bowling Green which lay to the north of Gorgie Road and to the west of Westfield Road.

Acknowledgement:  John Dickson, Royston, Edinburgh:  November 5, 2011

Note:  Gorgie Cottages are shown on the Godfrey Reproduction edition of a large scale OS Map of the area, but I am not able to add that to the EdinPhoto web site for copyright reasons.

Recollections

24.

Reply

3.

Douglas William Garry

Saughton Mains, Edinburgh

Thank you to Douglas W Garry who wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

Our Home

"When My wife and I married in 1971, our first home was No.2 Gorgie Cottages.  The rent was £1.10/- (£1.50p) per week and the lady in the sweetie shop next door took the rent money for you."

Demolition

"In July 1973 we were given notice by the EH Council that the cottages were to be demolished, and we were to be given a new Council home.

I took this photo on a Brownie 127 Camera in 1974 as they were tearing the cottages down down."

© 

Location

"They replaced the cottages with new flats that are now called 'Coxfield'.

The are named after the glue works there, which may have have owned the site."

Douglas W Garry, Saughton Mains, Edinburgh:  January 24, 2012

Recollections

24.

Reply

4.

Sandra Deuchar  (née Law)

Thank you to Sandra Deuchar who wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

Location

"In his Reply 2 above, John Dickson referred to Gorgie Cottages having been situated in Gorgie Crescent between Alexander Drive and Westfield Road. 

There were definitely very old houses there which were empty (and considered dangerous) when I went to Balgreen school  in the 1950s.  I don't know what they were called but they were demolished later.

However, Gorgie Cottages were situated in Gorgie Road on the other side of the road from the Roxy. Beyond the Glue works and large trees

They can be seen on this aerial photo.  They are the bottom row of cottages on the far right.   (The photo was provided with Recollections 33 below.)

Gorgie  -  1930

Key added

©  Reproduced with acknowledgement to RCAHMS and Malcolm Cant

Location

"I was born and brought up in Gorgie.

I'm certain of the location of Gorgie Cottages because I lived there from 1966-68.  We had two rooms with cold water and a shared a toilet with three other flats.  I think we paid 25 shillings a week for the cottages."

Sandra Deuchar (née Law), Edinburgh:  2 January 2017

 Recollections

25.

Lilian Young

Hamilton Square, New Jersey, USA

Thank you to Lilian Young who wrote:

T & H Smith

"My first job, in 1953, was with T & H Smith Company on Wheatfield Road.  I worked with Moira and Mary in their Accounting Department under the supervision of Irene Hewitt.  In our bookkeeping we used National Cash Register machines rather than books and felt that we were so far advanced.

Irene, who was older than her staff members, had a lovely boyfriend named Magnus and they took all of the young office girls to the Plaza dance Hall which was located near the Dominion Cinema.   They watched over us and saw that we all got home safely.

While I was working there a story went around that a fire had taken place in one of the labs and that a technician had been badly burned.   Fortunately the fire was put out quickly, but we heard that whatever was in the plant was enough to blow Gorgie off the map  -  a scary thought for the younger workers."

Sweep

"Also, we had friends, Sid and Nan Stanley and their son, Edmund who lived at 223 Gorgie Road.   Sid was a chimney sweep, and on Saturdays, along with working as a sweep, he had a large calling for his presence at weddings. 

Apparently to have a sweep at your wedding was considered good luck, so Sid would arrive, covered in soot and wearing the obligatory top hat to wish the happy couple good luck."

Lilian Young, Hamilton Square, New Jersey, USA:  August 13, 2009

Recollections

26.

Douglas William Garry

Hutchison, Edinburgh

Exactly a year after sending his recollections of Gorgie to the EdinPhoto web site, Douglas Garry posted this message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

1948 to 1960

"I lived on the 2nd Floor of 61 Gorgie Road Edinburgh from 1948 until 1960.  I knew of Alistair Rankine but he was older than I was and at that time that was a big difference.

I knew:

-  Tommy Thomson from the other side of the Gorgie Road and his family.

-  Jennie & Bobby Darling.

-  Billy & Alan Wright, Springwell House Lodge.

-  Davie Slater.

-  George Brennen.

-   and many others from Gorgie and Dalry schools."

Douglas William Garry, Hutchison, Edinburgh:

Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook  January 23, 2012

Recollections

27.

Douglas William Garry

Hutchison, Edinburgh

Thank you to Douglas William Garry for sending me this photo of himself with his cousin, Edward Garry and sister, Margaret.  This photo was taken on Coronation Day, 1953.

Tom, Douglas and Margaret Garry

Going to a Coronation Party, 1953

©  Reproduced with acknowledgement to Douglas William Garry

Douglas wrote:

Wardlaw Street

"This photo was taken at the top of Wardlaw Street, Gorgie, in 1953 when we were attending a Coronation Party.

Note that there are no cars in this picture!"

Douglas William Garry, Hutchison, Edinburgh: January 23, 2012

Recollections

28.

Alistair Rankine

Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia

Thank you to Alistair Rankine for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Alistair wrote:

Walking

"It is interesting to read all the stories about children being away all day, mothers not knowing where we were.

I remember we used to collect cigarette packets.  On a Sunday, when I was about 11or 12, I walked from Gorgie Rd along the following route collecting packets on the way - Dalry Road, Haymarket, Princes Street, Leith Street, Leith Walk, Great Junction Street to Newhaven then to Granton, then got the No. 2 tram back to Gorgie.

I was gone all day.  My mother had no idea where I'd been. Great Days.  Kids couldn't do that now."

Alistair Rankine, Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, February 20, 2012

Walking

The two people who replied so far to Alistair's comments in the Guestbook,  June Robertson and Nan Scott both recalled the long walks that they used to have as children, their not worrying about where they might be, provided they were back in time for their meal.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  February 21, 2012

Recollections

29.

Alex Smith

Spain

Thank you to Alex Smith for replying to several of the comments above on this page.

Ales wrote:

Reply to 1. above

Dalry School

"Alex McEwan wrote 'Recollections 1' above.  I think that his brother may have been called Tom.  If that's correct, we were in the same class at Dalry Road Primary School."

Money-Making Schemes

"I shared his money-making schemes of helping the ladies with their washing loads from the ‘steamie’ to the bus stops on Gorgie Road, and taking the after-match beer bottles back to the pubs. I took mine to the Tynecastle Arms (or Campbell’s as it was known locally) but had to stash them away until the Monday as Campbell’s was too busy on a Saturday night to take them."

Asa Wass

"We were in celebrated company using Asa Wass’ rag and bone yard.  Sean Connery, in his book ‘Being a Scot’ records that he too took old clothes there."

Reply to 6. above

Diary

"The diary that Robert Brotherston refers to was owned by Andrew Fairgreave. I delivered milk for him  6 mornings a week, for a couple of years.

I earned  8/- a week for six mornings' work."

Reply to 8. above

Neighbours

"Alastair Rankine wrote about some of the people who lived In Gorgie Road.  Here are a few more:

-  No. 124:  This was also home to the Wilson’s, Charlie and Ronnie.  They had triplet sisters who became a pop group and did quite well.  I remember seeing them perform in a club in Manchester in the late-1970s or early-1980s.

-   No. 116:  Joyce Gorrie had a younger brother called Charlie.

- No. 110:  This was also home to John Hall whose mother was either widowed or divorced.  She married Colin Campbell, similarly unattached, who lived opposite at No. 109, giving John a half-brother Colin Jr.

-  No. 106:   Robin, Ada and Alex Smith (writer) lived here.  So, also did:

-  Joy Preston

-  Donald Catley

-  Margaret & Betty MacDonald

-  Alan Whitson."

Street Bookie

"Does anyone remember the gate alongside 109 that gave access to a garage occupied by a coach firm, MacKay’s, I think. It also frequently gave home to Jocky McClelland the (illegal) street bookie, long before the days of betting shops."

Police

"I got married and left Gorgie in 1961.  I later joined the police and had 5 years in the Leith Division, happily arresting Hibs supporters, before discovering that I could transfer to the Manchester area and get even more pleasure being paid to arrest Englishmen (lol).  I now live happily in retirement in Spain."

Alex Smith:  Spain:  April 6, 2012

Recollections

30.

Anne Wood

Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland

Thank you to Anne Wood for replying to Thomas Smith's comments in Recollections 22 above.

Anne apologises for not remembering Thomas or his family, who lived at No.6 Gorgie Cottages, but says she hopes that the photo below will remind him of the shop, as it never changed!

Please click on the thumbnail image of the shop below to enlarge it.

Anne wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

Jemima's Shop

"Jemima was my great aunt.  She had the shop at No.3 Gorgie Cottages. I used to stay there at weekends when I was growing up and always had jobs to do, stocking the shelves and using the empty boxes to weigh out a 'forpit' of tatties ready to sell the next day.

Golden Wonder Crisps cost 3d and a half loaf  cost 1/3d. Jemima lived in the shop until the it was pulled down. 

My parents, Jim and Margaret Wood, lived at No.2 Gorgie cottages from 1949 until 1955.  My dad used to go to the Cash & Carry for Jemi, or Auntie Mi as I called her.

Photo of the Shop

The shop had previously been owned by my Grandmother, Anne Wood.  Here is a photo of the shop."

©

"The woman on the left in this photo was my grandmother, Anne Wood, the child in the pram was Thomas, her son, my uncle.  I'm, not sure who the other woman was, Jean, I think   My uncle was born in 1913 so this picture may have been taken in 1914 or 1915."

Neighbours

"I remember :

-  Mr & Mrs Lawrie.  They had a daughter, Sheila.  I think their son was Alex

-  Mrs Greig.  She had a son Jim,

-  Mrs Gibb and son Peter.

-  Mrs Piercy,

-  Miss Lawrie.

Anne Wood, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland:  April 25, 2012

Recollections

31.

Pam Lamb

Thank you to Pam Lamb who wrote:

Family Research

"I have been researching my family tree ever since my father died in 2007. My father and Mother were brought up in Gorgie and I have enjoyed reading the Gorgie Recollections as they have given me an insight into his life around the 1940, 1950s and 1960s."

Street Party

"Here is a photo of a street party taken in Newton Street (I think) in 1953 to celebrate  the Queen's Coronation.

©

My mother and uncle are in the photo as are lots of other children and adults."

Pam Lamb,:  May 15, 2012

Recollections

32.

Robert Hutson

Robert Hutson wrote:

Question

Bonavista

"I wonder if you have any idea where Bonavista on Gorgi Road was?  My grandfather was living at no 143 in 1911. His brother was living at no 141, and his mother was running a dairy at no 140.

Any help would be appreciated.   Thank you."

Robert Hutson:  June 3, 2012

Reply to Robert

If you know where the Bona Vista was in Gorgie Road, and would like to let Robert know, please email me than I'll give you his email address so that you can contact him.

Peter Stubbs:  June 3, 2012

Recollections

33.

Robert Hutson

Thank you to Robert Hutson for writing to let me know about the progress he had made in discovering where Bonavista was. 

Robert wrote:

Reply 1

Bonavista

"I contacted Malcolm Cant I went out to see him yesterday.  He  was very helpful.  Here is a photo from his book, 'Edinburgh from the Air'.  (Please click on the photos below to enlarge them.)

Gorgie  -  1930

©

©  Reproduced with acknowledgement to RCAHMS and Malcolm Cant

Gorgie  -  1930

Key added

©  Reproduced with acknowledgement to RCAHMS and Malcolm Cant

Robert Hutson:  July 6, 2012

Recollections

34.

Robert Hutson

Leith, Edinburgh

Robert wrote again to let me know that he has now found Bonavista.

He wrote:

Reply 2

Bonavista

458 Gorgie Road

"With the aid of some old O.S. maps and title deeds and using Google Earth, my youngest son and I were pretty sure that Bonavista was somewhere in the vicinity of the Volkswagen dealership.

Last Friday, we went up to Gorgie and found that the house next to the dealership has carved over the door 'Bonavista 1896'.  It it is No. 458 Gorgie Road."

Robert Hutson:  June 3, 2012

Recollections

35.

Iain Gillespie Brennan

Thank you to Iain Gillespie Brennan for following up the poem mentioned by Ken Smith and George T Smith in Recollections 11 above.

Iain wrote:

Poem

"My Grandfather would recite something around the lines of the poem in Recollections 11 above, though its far too long ago,for me to remember the actual poem.

"O Gorgie Road when we were wee

Was sicca place for fun and glee

..."

My Grandparents and Parents

"My Grandfather and Granny, John and Josie Brennan, lived in Eltringham Terrace, opposite Gorgie Park entrance (1920-75).

My Parents, when first married, lived in a 'single-end' in Cathcart Place (1937-1950).  My dad died 15 years ago and my mother passed on earlier this year.

My Brother RIP

"In 1948, my brother was tragically killed by a truck at the Cathcart Place / Dalry Road Junction  -  an event which I believe traumatized my Parents for the rest of their lives. 

There was no counselling in those days.  They were told to just get on with their lives.  Subsequently, I was born in 1950.  I might add, that my brother, Derek who was nearly 5 when he was killed, was never discussed by my Parents.  It was always a taboo subject.

I'm currently involved in getting a new headstone for Derek's grave as a mark of respect and remembrance to a young life never lived.  The original headstone in Saughton Cemetery has disappeared over the years."

Poole's Roxy Cinema

"On a lighter note, I've never heard anyone mention the Poole's Roxy Cinema in Dalry Road, long since demolished.  It's such a shame.  All these places are vanishing, taking our History with them."

Iain Gillespie Brennan: October 15  2012

Poole's Roxy Cinema

The EdinPhoto web site includes a Cinema & Theatre Recollections page.

This page has lots of memories of Edinburgh cinemas,  but there is only a brief passing reference to Poole's Roxy Cinema.

Here are a few extracts about Poole's Roxy cinema from Brendon Thomas' book, 'The Last Picture Shows, Edinburgh':

Peter Stubbs,  Edinburgh:  October 18, 2012

Recollections

36.

George Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George Smith who wrote again.

George wrote:

Wild West Show

"A TV station 'Knowledge Network' recently showed a film about a Canadian photographer called Notman.  Among other things, he made his name with pictures of Sitting Bull (who defeated Custer) and Buffalo Bill on whose Wild West show Sitting Bull appeared for $50 dollars a week plus expenses.

I wonder if any late 19th century Edinburgh photographers took pictures of the Wild West Show when it appeared at Gorgie.  The site of the show was a part of my childhood as I crossed 'the field' daily on my way to and from Craiglockhart school.  My grandfather made some mention of Buffalo Bill and the show which went over my head as my interests were such as Gene Autry."

George Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada:  2 September 2012

Hi George:

Wild West Show

It would be good to find some photos taken at the  Wild West Show  in Gorgie, Edinburgh.  I cannot recall ever having seen any myself.  Perhaps one of the other contributors to the EdinPhoto web site might read this and email me if they know of any photos of the show in Gorgie.

William Notman

William Notman, the photographer that you mention, was, in fact, Scottish!  He was born in Paisley in 1826 and moved to Montreal, Canada in 1856.

I remember seeing an exhibition of his photography when I was in Montreal on business, probably about 10 years ago or a little earlier.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  August 26, 2013

Recollections

37

Louisa Clark (née McKenzie)

Edinburgh

Thank you to Louisa Clark who read the comments from Alex McEwan in Recollections 1 and 3 above, then wrote:

Up the Pend

"I also lived 'up the pend' at the same time as Alex McEwan and can share in all his remembrances.

I've written a book called 'Up the Pend' which is a narrative about all the characters who lived up the pend and in Gorgie Road."

Louisa Clark, Edinburgh::  September 4, 2013

Up the Pend

I sent an email to Louisa today, asking her if she has two or three extracts from her book that she'd like me to add to this page on the EdinPhoto web site.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  September 13, 2013

Recollections

38

Bertha Henretty

Bertha Henretty has been looking into her family history and has asked two questions.

Bertha wrote:

Question 1

Tynecastle Police Depot

"My 3x Great Grandfather, Robert Ross died in 1856.  His death certificate gives his address as Tynecastle Police Depot.

In the 1851 Census, he is listed as living with his wife and family at Tynecastle Depot.  (Note that the word 'Police' is omitted.)

Does anyone know where Tynecastle Police Depot was?  I believe that it was quite close to White Park, mentioned in Question 2 below."

Question 2

Ross Terrace

"There is a name 'Ross Terrace' on the row of tenements to the left of White Park, as you look at it from Gorgie Road.  This name is etched into the stonework at the end nearest Newton Street and opposite the chippie.  I noticed it one night while waiting on my fish supper.

This has intrigued me for many years.  I have been trying to find out why it is named thus.  Does anyone know the answer?"

Bertha Henretty:  May 5 + September 23, 2013

Reply to Bertha?

If you think you can help to answer the questions that Bertha asks above, please email me, then I'll pass on her email address to you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  September 24, 2013

NOTE 1: 

Gorgie Police Depot

Recollections

38.

Reply

1.

Peter Stubbs

Edinburgh

I don't have any answers to the questions asked by Bertha in Recollections 38 above, but I do have a couple of suggestions for her Question 1 about Tynecastle Police Depot.

Reply to Question 1

Tynecastle Police Depot

"Censuses that I have seen have listed the houses and other buildings in  order along each street.  If that is the case for the 1851 Census for Gorgie, it may be possible to deduce where Tynecastle Police Depot was.

Alternatively, the Police Station may be one of the buildings listed in the 1856 edition of the Edinburgh & Leith Post Office Directory.  Post Office Directories list buildings in order along each street, and show where the street intersections are, but not all buildings are listed in the directories."

Reply to Question 2

Ross Terrace

"I've looked up a three books that often provide questions about Edinburgh street names, but unfortunately Ross Terrace is not listed in any of them.  I mention this here to save others going to the trouble of looking up the same books.

The books that I looked up are:

-  History and Derivation of Edinburgh Street Names
Edinburgh Corporation City Engineers' Department, May 1975

-  The Streets of Edinburgh
Scotsman Publications , 1984

-  The Place Names of Edinburgh
Stuart Harris, 1996

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  September 24, 2013

Recollections

38.

Reply

2.

Jan McGuire

Gorgie, Edinburgh

Thank you to Jan McGuire for replying to Bertha Henretty's question in Recollections 38 above:

Bertha asked:

Does anyone know where Tynecastle Police Depot was?"

Bertha Henretty:  May 5 + September 23, 2013

Jan replied:

Tynecastle Police Depot

"Here are links to two pages that show Tynecastle Police Depot:

(a)  The Police Depot is shown the extreme left edge of this map from the NLS Collection, on the road marked:

 'From Glasgow By Midcalder'

that is now Gorgie Road.

This seems to indicate that the Police Depot was located where Gorgie Dalry Parish Church is now situated.

(b)  This page in the TalkingScot web site suggests that the police depot was located where Heart of Midlothian FC's Tynecastle Park stadium is now situated.

The church and the football stadium are adjacent."

Jan McGuire, Gorgie, Edinburgh:  October 1, 2013

Recollections

39

Louisa Clark (née McKenzie)

Edinburgh

Thank you to Louisa Clark for following up her  Recollections 37 abovewith more of her memories of living at Gorgie.

My Book

"My book has now been proof read, so I'm looking for a publisher in Edinburgh.  Here are a few extracts from the book:

Louisa Clark, Edinburgh: October 12, 2013

Questions for Louisa

I've asked Louisa Clark if she can tell me:

-   what her family's address was when she lived 'up the pend', and

-  how the pend had 21 houses, but only six on each floor.  Where were the other three?

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  October 12 2013

Recollections

40

Louisa Clark (née McKenzie)

Edinburgh

Thank you to Louisa Clark for writing again:

-  answering the questions that I asked at the end of Recollections 39, and

-  telling me more about her book, 'Up the Pend'.

Louisa wrote:

Replies

Our Home

"I lived 'up the pend' at 5 Tynecastle Place, off Gorgie Road, with:

-   my Dad, Donald

-  mum, Sally

-  older sister, Mary

-  younger brother, John."

House Numbers

"Tynecastle Place was a tenement building with two balconies.  Every family had their own front door, but the strange thing was that at the gable end there were two separate houses, one at the front and one at the back in:

-  No.1, on the ground floor.

-  No.7, on the 1st balcony, above No.1

-  No.13, on the 2nd balcony, above No.7

Perhaps three of the hoses were numbered 1a, 7a and 13a, but I was not aware of that."

My Book

'Up the Pend'

"There are 21 chapters in my book.  The subjects include:

-  The People who lived 'Up the Pend'

-  Shops on Gorgie Road

-  Dalry School

-  The Wash House

-  Gorgie Personalities

-  The Co-op Dividend

and various other memories."

Louisa Clark, Edinburgh: October 12, 2013

Recollections

41

Louisa Clark (née McKenzie)

Edinburgh

Thank you to Louisa Clark for also sending me two photos of a street party at Tynecastle Place.

Louisa wrote:

Street Party

"Here are two photos of a street party, taken 'up the pend' at Tynecastle Place, Gorgie.

 I'm not sure who took these two photos.  They were in my mum's box and only uncovered when she died.

The street party may have been held for the return to school after the holidays,  or maybe it was to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953."

1953?

©            ©

©            ©

Louisa Clark, Edinburgh: October 13, 2013

The Photos

I would expect the photos above to have been taken in 1953, on the occasion of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth. 

Over the past few years, I've been sent several other photos of 1950s street parties in Edinburgh.  Every one of them was taken at a street party to celebrate the Coronation.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 17, 2013

Recollections

41

Reply

1.

Christina Napier

Edinburgh

Thank you to Christina Napier who saw the photos in Recollections 41 above and replied:

Street Party

"The EdinPhoto web site has brought back many memories.  I found these photos of the street party (in Recollections 41 above) to be especially good, mainly because I'm in them.

They were taken in June 1962, the party for the Queen's Jubilee."

Presumably the party celebrated the first 10 years of the Queen's reign - Peter Stubbs

©           ©

Names

"Here is a copy of the photo with the names that I remember added to it:

-  Me and my Mum.

-  My two friends, Frieda and Sandra Gourlay."

June 1962

 ©  Photo reproduced with acknowledgement to Louisa Clark, Edinburgh:    names added by Christina Napier

Christina Napier, Edinburgh:  February 18, 2015

Recollections

41

Reply

2.

Christina Napier

Edinburgh

Thank you to Christina Napier who wrote again.

Christina wrote

Street Party  -  Maybe 1963

"I wonder if this photo was actually taken in 1963.  That would make more sense!

"I remember my litle brother being in a pram in another photo taken then.  He was born in March 1962, so he could still have been in a pram in June 1963.  A A 'Ten Year Anniversary' of the 1953 street party seems more sensible to me."

June 1963?

 ©  Photo reproduced with acknowledgement to Louisa Clark, Edinburgh:    names added by Christina Napier

Christina Napier, Edinburgh:  February 18, 2015

Recollections

42.

Linda Powe

Windsor, Berkshire, England

Linda Powe who is trying to discover more about her family, wrote:

Gorgie

Furniture Mill

"Two of my mother's  brothers, the Didcock Brothers, owned what was a busy furniture mill in Gorgie Mill Road.  All seven siblings in the family, including my mother, worked at the mill.

The mill was a family concern.  I know that my grandfather Didcock was the boss but I don't know how far back it goes.  My mother was born in 1910 and I know she was still working there in 1942 after her marriage in 1940.

During my childhood and I believe until my mother's death in 1969 all seven brothers were still working at the mill, and that the business had moved into shop and premises fitting.

On Google, there is a site called the Didcock Bros, 410 Gorgie Road, EH11 2RN, but the phone no given no longer exists."

My Family

"Sadly, I have had no contact with the wider members of my family. I'd so love to know about the furniture mill and more about my relatives now."

Linda Powe, Windsor, Berkshire, England:  October 24+25, 2013

Reply to Linda?

Linda also wrote about her Aunt and Uncle, Jean and Robert Jeffries, who had a market garden at Colinton.

If you anything about the market garden, the furniture mill, or any members of Linda's family  and would like to contact Linda, please email me, then I'll pass on her email address to you.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  October 24+25, 2013

Recollections

43.

Rhona Stewart Cameron

New Town, Edinburgh

Thank you to Rhona Cameron who wrote:

Cox's Glue Works

"You could smell Cox's glue works when the wind was blowing your way. As you got nearer the smell turned your stomach.

From the other side of the road, you could see these large round wooden wheels going round and you could see the hides etc. going round attached to them.

Tynecastle Annexe (formerly Gorgie School) along the road often had to close the school windows in the afternoon because of the smell.

My grandfather worked there for a time."

Rhona Stewart Cameron, New Town, Edinburgh:  December 17, 2013

Recollections

44.

Iain Brennan

Buckinghamshire, England

Iain Brennan for responding to Thomas Smith's Recollections 22 above .  Iain wrote:

Wheatsheaf Pub

"Hello Thomas,

You mention the Wheatsheaf Pub, which was opposite the entrance to Gorgie Park.  My Grandfather, John Brennan, worked there as a Barman for many, many years.  He was known as 'Johnny' to everyone in the area and was a 'weel ken't man' in his day,

He and my Granny moved to Eltringham Terrace, just after he came back from WW1, in 1920.  They lived there right up until 1975."

Family Visits to Gorgie

"My parents, my younger brother and I visited them frequently, all through the 1950s and early-1960s.  My Granny took me shopping along Dalry Road, and to the Pools Roxy Cinema, probably to see a Disney film.

Gorgie Neighbours

I remember names of the neighbours:

-  Annie Fitzpatrick

-  Mr and Mrs Bankeer

I always remember the people I in Dalry being friendly - always saying 'Hello' to you, 

Gorgie Park

I also remember Gorgie Park vividly.  Itt was like Princes Street Gardens, pristine, with a weir running through it.  Halcyon days indeed!  It seems like a hundred years ago now!"

Iain Brennan:  Buckinghamshire, England:  November 9, 2013

Recollections

45.

Brian Brockie

Dartford, Kent, England

Thank you to Brian Brockie who wrote:

Hutchison District

My Family

"My father's family lived at 46 Hutchison Crossway, just over the road from the families of some of your contributors.

I wonder if the names and places that I'm about to mention might ring any bells?

My dad was Alex Brockie, born in 1926.

- He went to Tynecastle School.

- His siblings were Tommy, Doreen, Walter and Annie

My grandparents were Janet (Jenny) Brockie + Archie Brockie.

-  Jenny worked on the school buses until she was over 70.

-  She also worked at Robertsons pie and meat factory.

-  Archie was, at one time, the green-keeper of Gorgie Bowling Green.

-  Later, he may have been night watchman.

Streets and Businesses

"I remember:

-  the old police box at the corner of Hutchison, and the tiny bar just beside it.  Was it Bob's Bar?

-  the Wheatsheaf pub, the bookies and a wonderful bakery, on the junction of Ball Green Road and Dalry Road.

-   the Ice-cream Parlour, down near the Roxy cinema.  As a kid I was often sent there with a bowl to be filled with fresh Ice cream.  I'd take the bus - route 2, 3, 22, 33, 34 or 35.

-  In those days, the road didn't cross the railway to Slateford Road as it does now, but there was a pedestrian access over a footbridge

More Memories?

"I could go on and on, but let's see if any memories have been stirred so far.

 Can anyone relate to the folk and places that I've mentioned above?  I'd be happy to communicate with anyone on those subjects"

Brian Brockie, Dartford, Kent, England:  April 25, 2014

Reply to Brian?

If you'd like to send a reply to Brian, please email me, then I'll pass on his email address to you.

             Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  April 25, 2014

Recollections

46.

Thomas Smith

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Thomas Smith wrote:

Coronation Photo

"I wonder if anybody has copy of the photo taken at the street party in Gorgie held in 1953 to celebrate the Queen's Coronation.  I did have one, but my sisters have lost it.

The party was held in the middle Gorgie Cottages, behind Jemima's shop, in the car park under the first tunnel.

Thomas Smith, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia:  May 4+6+7, 2015

Reply to Thomas?

If you know  of any copies of the photo that Thomas is looking for, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Thomas.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  May 18, 2015

Recollections

47.

Peter Watt

Serpentine, Victoria, Australia

Peter Watt wrote:

Family History

"I was born in 1940 in Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, mainly due to my mum realing that the bombs on Edinburgh around that time could have been a disaster.  We moved back to Edinburgh before the end of the War, then I ventured out to Australia in 1960 on the good ship, SS Orion."

Gorgie

"My dearest memories are of the time I spent in Edinburgh.  We moved to 10 Moat Drive, Gorgie, before the end of the War.  Our home must have been in the last block.  I can't remember the numbers going any higher than 12.

I especially remember the Prisoner of War Camp that used to be at the very bottom of our street."

After the War

"When my Dad eventually returned home after the War and knocked on the door, my two sisters and I did not let him in, on orders from my Mum."

Church

"I was baptised at Merchiston Church and eventually became a long-time Member of the Church.  After the church services we used to have a picnic lunch in a nearby park.  I can't remember its name."

The Canal

"There was a bridge with the canal on top with green moss on it.  That was quite common at the time.  My sisters let me out of the pusher, because of my stubborn mood, and I was nearly at the drowning stage in the canal when an old man pulled me out with his walking stick.  He hooked it around my belt and the little jacket that I was wearing,  i have no recollection of his name."

Primary School

"I attended Merchiston Primary School, and still have lots of memories.  I still have my class photographs.  My prep teacher was Ms Campbell and our Headmaster was Mr Gow. 

I then ventured to Tynecastle Tech for a while, until we moved to no 20 Southhouse Road, Liberton.  Then I did a stint at James Clark's School."

Work

"First, I was a Messenger Boy for that famous butcher, Chas McSween of Bruntsfield.  I then went off to become a Telegram Boy with the Edinburgh Post Office, delivering all the special telegrams to Holyroodhouse by motorbike. I was proud of doing that."

Royal Scots

"I have many memories serving with the Royal Scots [155th Division] at Wemyss Place TA Unit.  I was Lance Corporal and was one of the very first kids to attend the trial of the very 1st Edinburgh Tattoo."

Remember Me?

"I'd really, like to hear from any persons who went thru these years.  I'm sure there are still a few around.  I'm now coming up to age 75.

Peter Watt, Serpentine, Victoria, Australia:  19 June 2015 (2 emails)

Reply to Peter Watt?

If you remember Peter Watt and would like to get in touch with him,  please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on his email address to you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  June 23, 2015

Recollections

48.

Linda Turner

Thank you to Linda Turner who wrote:

My Family

"I was very interested to read the memories of Gorgie as they brought back many memories for me.

- My grandparents,  John and Agnes Weddell, lived in Westfield Street from the early 1920s to their deaths in the mid 1960s.

-  My mum, Margaret Weddell, with her older brother John and young sister Nancy spent their childhood in Gorgie."

My Grandparents' House

"Summer holidays and Christmas and Hogmanay in the 1950's and 1960's for me were always spent in the two-roomed tenement flat that was my grandparents' home.

- The railway ran on an embankment overlooking the back green where granny hung her washing.  The big, black steam engines terrified me as a young child."

-  At the end of the street was a whiskey bond, a big warehouse. The smell from it was ever-present.

-  Across the road was the terminus sheds for the trams which kept me awake when I went to bed."

Grandad

"Grandad had an allotment nearby in the early-1950s.  He worked for the 'Dummy' as a milkman when they delivered the milk by horse and cart.  My mum recalled that his young milk boy was Sean Connery.  She remembers him coming in her house."

Memories

"Westfield Street and Gorgie will always hold special memories for me:

-  trips to the burn.

-  Saughton Park.

-  shopping along Gorgie Road.

-  the smell of the glue works."

Linda Turner:  June 15, 2015

Recollections

49.

Dennis Hogg

Perth, Perth & Kinross, Scotland

Thank you to Dennis Hogg, who had previously written about attending Pentland High School then Forrester's High School, for  writing again, telling me about about Murrayburn Primary School.

Dennis wrote:

"My two brothers and I all attended Murrayburn primary school.

Our Saturdays were taken up by going to the Roxy Picture House, swapping comics outside before the show started."

"My brothers, Bill and Ray, were Hibs supporters, while I was an avid 'jam tart' (Hearts supporter) as was my father.  I have fond memories of going to the Hearts' matches at Tynecastle in my father's new 1953 Hillman Minx.

Believe it or not, there were traffic jams even then on a  Saturday.  Gorgie Road was a busy street, but the smell of the McVitie biscuit factory, cooking their digestives made the traffic jam, or waiting for a No.34 bus, a pleasant experience."

Recollections

50.

Brian Donald

Thank you to Brian Donald who wrote:

"I was born in Wardlaw Street Gorgie in February 1942 and left Gorgie in 1958 when my folks got a council house in Moredun near Gilmerton."

"I attended Craiglockhart Primary School and Tynecastle School, 1954-57 first as a pupil, then for three weeks in 1969 as a student teacher under my old teacher Alistair ''The Mad Eperoror' McCallum, a great guy now dead alas!

"I used to deliver newspapers to Mrs Cockburn, mother-in-law of Hearts centre-forward Wilie Bauld.  She had her shop near Bessie Bryce's shop in Gorgie Road. opposite Newton Street."

"I delivered newspapers all over Gorgie, working for former professional featherweight boxer Jock Bonas who opened his newsagency at 200 Gorgie Road (beside what used to be called Cairns church, opposite Wardlaw Street ).

Jock Bonas was a Yorkshireman.  He was called 'Jock' because he had served in a Scottish infantry regiment just after WW2.  He was a brilliant pro boxer who was rated in 1950s among the top ten featherweights in the world by the leading American boxing magazine 'The Ring'

Jock emigrated to Tasmania in 1954.   Between then and the late-1960s, he made enough money boxing, and beating top Aussie boxers, to buy and run the newsagency 200 Gorgie Road  on his return to Scotland.

He  employed me as a delivery boy at his newsagents,  while teaching me to skip like pro boxers do in his back shop."

"I remember Haliburton's fish and chip shop in Gorgie, opposite White Park  and the chipper in Wheatfield Street, but the best was Paul Dories at the foot of Wardlaw Place which was always packed, particularly on Friday night, pay night."

The Pend

"I remember Alex McEwan, now in Oz, and his red-haired mate Norman Green. Outside the pend where they lived were two shops that I knew well:

-  Davey's Cafe(, where you could get a lunchtime pie and chips for seven pence halfpenny in 1954

-  George McCrae's sweetie and tobacco shop, George was the former Hearts trainer,

Cinemas

"My favourite Gorgie cinema was the Poole's Roxy where, in the 1950s, a young obscure Liverpudlian called John Lennon used to go with his cousin when the future Beatle stayed with his Auntie in Murrayfield."

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