Edinburgh recollections - Holyrood Park

Recollections of Holyrood Park
1.	Bob Henderson Burdiehouse, Edinburgh	The Cat's Nick
2.	Roberta Luciani Thorold, Ontario, Canada	Napoleon's Hat Daisy Hill Swing Park Plantation St Margaret's Loch
3.	Joan Martin (née Hogg) Beckenham, Kent	Arthur's Seat David Hogg Telescope
4.	Bryan Gourlay Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland	The Gutted Haddie Bonfire Health & Safety Rifle Range
4. Reply 1	Laurie Thompson Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England	Rifle Range
5.	Bryan Gourlay Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland	The Gutted Haddie
6.	Alex Jackson Mortonhall, Edinburgh	Allotments
7.	Douglas Thomson East Calder, West Lothian, Scotland	Return to Holyrood Park Miners' Gala
8.	Bob Wilson Leeds, West Yorkshire, England	Hare in Holyrood Park
9.	Bob Henderson Burdiehouse, Edinburgh	The Cat's Nick
10.	Eric Gold East London, England	Miners' Gala
11.	James Morton Robertson Sevenoaks, Kent, England	The Cat's Nick
12.	Lyndsay Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh	Miners' Gala
13.	Duncan Reid West Lothian, Scotland with replies from Bryan Gourlay Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland and from Duncan Reid West Lothian, Scotland	Sheep in the Park: question
14.	Bob Henderson Burdiehouse, Edinburgh	'My King's Park' Sheep and Allotments 5 Gallon Drums
15.	Tony Henderson Canada	Memories
16.	John Taylor	Arthur's Seat - Concrete Cairn

Recollections

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Henderson who wrote:

The Cat's Nick

"We roamed over every inch of the park, the vast majority of times unaccompanied by an adult. We were really rather wild and adventurous pre-1950.

To be able to call yourself 'one of the gang' you had to scale the Crags at the 'Cats Nick'.

Even as a young man, I was not very tall, 5 foot six when I went for my army medical at 18 . I certainly would not contemplate trying it now, so we must have been really wanting to join that gang."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Recollections

Roberta Luciani

Thorold, Ontario, Canada

Roberta Luciani now lives in Canada. She used to live at Dumbiedykes.

Roberta wrote:

Napoleon's Hat

"I was fortunate enough to visit that area in 2007. I toured the New Parliament Buildings, and while there, looking out over to the Park I happened tell the Guide that I learned to ride my first bike at the roundabout in the park outside Holyrood Palace, and that we used to call it 'Napoleon's Hat' because of it's shape.

The Guide was unaware of the name. I wonder if anyone else remembers the name?"

Daisy Hill - Swing Park - Plantation - St Margaret's Loch

"Looking back, we had a wonderful playground. In those days, it was called the King's Park. We had our special places like the Daisy Hill, the Swing Park, the very scary Plantation and of course, St. Margaret's Loch and the swans."

Roberta Luciani, Thorold, Ontario, Canada: February 10, 2008.

Recollections

Joan Martin (née Hogg)

Beckenham, Kent

Thank you to Joan Martin (née Hogg) for sending me her recollections of Holyrood Park.

Joan wrote:

Arthur's Seat

"I loved looking at the photo of Arthur's Seat, taken on the 7th of January this year:

Along with many other Southsiders, I often climbed Arthur's Seat, mostly taking the easy route from the back, although if you were feeling particularly brave, you could tackle it by way of the 'Gutted Haddie' (I think), which was a very rocky climb up the front of the hill to the top, where, of course, you were rewarded with a magnificent view of the city.

I don't know if the tradition still exists of doing the climb on the morning of May 1st, and on reaching the top, washing your face in the morning dew!"

Yes the tradition still continues. I was there myself to see dawn on May 1, 2007, after having had a few hours' sleep following the Beltane Festival on Calton Hill the night before. - Peter Stubbs: February 16, 2008

David Hogg

"Another reason for feeling nostalgic about Arthur's Seat is the fact that the ashes of my young brother, David Hogg, were scattered around various places in Holyrood Park.

He died on 20th February, 1991, in the USA, as a result of a tragic motorway accident whilst driving home to his wife Rosemary and family in Carmel, Indiana, after a business trip to Chicago.

But on a happier note, he was indeed a true son of Edinburgh, who treasured his roots, firstly attending Preston Street Primary School. He is second from the left in the second back row of this photo:

He went on to attend Boroughmuir School then Edinburgh University to take a degree in Physics, where a school romance blossomed with Rosemary who was also studying for her degree."

Telescope

"We had such great fun as young teenagers, sprawled on top of the Salisbury Crags, looking through David's telescope late at night, identifying the stars and wondering what life was all about!"

Joan Martin, née Hogg ('Hoggy'), Beckenham, Kent: February 12, 2008

Recollections

Bryan Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Thank you to Bryan Gourlay who sent me an extract from an 1849 Ordnance Survey map of Holyrood Park, and replied:

The Gutted Haddie

"Joan Martin’s memory of the name of the very rocky climb up to the top of Arthur’s Seat was absolutely spot on – 'The Gutted Haddie.' It’s quite clearly marked on the 1849 and 1876 Ordnance Survey maps."

Bonfire

"I’ve made the trip a few times. It’s a bit scary in the dark though. A bunch of us kids climbed up that way one night to see a bonfire at the top."

Health & Safety

"I’m sure that last time I looked at the gully, the health and safety creatures had put in stepping stones here and there. No doubt an escalator will be there before much longer."

Rifle Range

"Another section of the map shows the rifle range that was in Hunter’s Bog, behind the Crags, where as young CCF cadets (Combined Cadet Force) we were let loose with our World War I & II rifles that had a kick like a mule."

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland: February 18, 2008

Recollections

Reply

Laurie Thompson

Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England

Laurie Thompson wrote:

Rifle Range

Memories

"Bryan Gourlay's Recollections 4 above of the rifle range in Hunter's Bog, Holyrood Park, brought back a couple of memories to me.

Firing

"When the range was being used - usually during a weekend, if my memory serves me right - we could clearly hear the sound of the firing from our house in Marionville Road, probably more than a mile away as the crow flies.

To us kids, this was a signal to make a mental note to go across to the Park some time in the days following, to visit the firing positions on the west side of the Bog, and the target positions, which were against a scree slope on the Bog's east side."

Empty Cartridge Cases

and

Spent Bullets

"There, if we were lucky, we would find the odd empty cartridge case that had presumably escaped the collection of empties at the end of the firing session, and/or spent, very distorted, but still identifiable bullets."

Anything Remaining Today?

"Presumably all of the missed cartridge cases have long since been found, or been trodden into the ground by fifty-odd years' of park visitors, but if that old scree slope is still not overgrown, I'll bet there are still some of the old spent rounds to be found there. Certainly, we were never able to find as many of them as the amount of shooting suggested there should be."

Laurie Thompson, Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England: July 20, 2014

Recollections

Bryan Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

After commenting on the 'Gutted Haddie' (4 above) Brian Gourlay wrote:

The Gutted Haddie

"This 1943 photo of me, my mother, grandmother and great grandmother provides a good look at the Gutted Haddie route to the top of Arthur’s Seat (at the top of the picture)."

"I’m not sure of exactly where we’re sitting, but it can’t be too far from Jeannie Deans Cottage and the 'Slidey Stane'.

The photo was taken by the family’s trusted Box Brownie camera that was used for over 50 years and was eventually left behind in India in the early 1970s."

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland: March 2, 2008

Recollections

Alex Jackson

Mortonhall, Edinburgh

Thank you to Alex Jackson for sending the two photos and comments below. I like the smart outfit, Alex!

Alex wrote:

Holyrood Park

"These photos were taken in Holyrood Park on Easter 1950:

1. with St Anthony's Chapel in the background.

2. with tenements of Royal Park Terrace in the background.

I'm the small child in the photos. My Mum, who is also in one of the photos is Jessie Jackson."

Holyrood Park Allotments

"What I find fascinating is that in both these photos, a large part of the area historically known as the Parade Grounds seems to have been allotments, presumably still there after the war.

I wonder how long they remained there. I played in the park as a child but can't remember them being there."

World Cross Country Championships

2008

"I was involved in the organisation of the 2008 World Cross Country Championships in Holyrood Park. It's strange to think that top athletes including Kenenisa Bekele were running over land that was once allotments."

Alex Jackson, Mortonhall, Edinburgh: August 15, 2008

Recollections

Dougie Thomson

East Calder, West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Dougie Thomson, who was born at 54 Lower Viewcraig Row, Dumbiedykes, Edinburgh for sending me some of his memories of:

- Viewcraig Row and

- Holyrood Park (below).

Dougie wrote:

Return to Holyrood Park

"I was born at 54 Lower Viewcraig Row. I have lived in East Calder, West Lothian for the past 29 years, but still consider myself to be a 'toonie'.

About 20 years ago I took my two kids back to the Dumbiedykes. We went up to the crags and explained where i stayed and played. After all, the park was our play park. Im sure my mother would have kittens if she knew i climbed the crags."

Miners' Gala

"I wonder if anybody remembers the Miners' Gala Day. It was held in Holyrood Park, nest to the Palace. There were Pipe Bands, races and and dancing.

I would nip down there after school with a picnic bag of biscuits and juice, and try to mix with the miners' families.

Once again, happy days.

Dougie Thomson, East Calder, West Lothian, Scotland: April 1, 2009.

Recollections

Bob Wilson

Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Thank you to Bob Wilson for posting a message in the Edinphoto guestbook.

Bob wrote

Arthur's Seat

Hares

"I remember climbing Arthur's Seat, and seeing white mountain hares running all over it. Do they still exist up there? I have often wondered."

Bob Wilson, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England:
Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, April 23, 2009

I've never seen mountain hares on any of my visits to Arthur's Seat in recent years, but perhaps somebody will email me to tell me that they have seen them. If that happens, I'll pass on the message to Bob.

- Peter Stubbs: April 24, 2009

Recollections

12.

Lyndsay Montgomery

Old Town, Edinburgh

Thank you to Lyndsay Montgomery for sending for sending her recollections of attending the Miners' Gala at Holyrood Park.

At junior school, she had been given a day's holiday to attend the local Gala at Niddrie Mill, but Portobello Senior Secondary School gave no such holiday.

Lyndsay wrote:

Local Gala

"When I was young, living at Niddrie Mill, we always had a holiday for the local Gala Day. The Gala was held in the park behind the Jewel Cottages."

The Miners' Gala

"When I went to Portobello Senior Secondary school, we no longer got a holiday to go to this gala

So, having first made my Mum a party to the vile deed that I was about to commit, a friend, Irene Law or Cherry, and I made our way to Holyrood Park to join the fray of a large scale Miner's Gala Day, where folks from all over the Lothians and sometimes further afield were merrymaking."

Dance and Drink

"We did a tour of everything, but the part that interested us, was the marquee with a band where you could dance, and a bar for those with a thirst after all the exercise. We were never without something to drink. Whoever was at the bar getting served would get us juice as well - a thing that would never happen now to two kids on their own.

We danced the afternoon away with great hilarity. A photographer from the Evening News took of the fun. Imagine how uncomfortable I was the next day at school, when, on producing the note written by my mother, saying how ill I had been the day before, the register teacher had the newspaper open on the desk with Irene and I twisting away looking very healthy indeed."

Lyndsay (formerly Lynda) Montgomery: Old Town, Edinburgh: September 2009, 2008

Answer 1. to

Recollections

13.

Bryan Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Thank you to Bryan Gourlay who wrote:

Answer

Sheep until at least the 1960s

"I well remember sheep being in Holyrood Park. They were still there in the 1960s.

Some of them were near the small farm buildings near the Wells o’ Weary, which was in the dip in the ground between Samson’s Ribs and the wall enclosing Prestonfield Golf Course, close to the railway tunnel that led to St Leonards.

I used have to leg it over the wall to the farm from time to time in my teens to retrieve my golf ball when trying to cut the corner off the third tee at Prestonfield."

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland: March 3, 2010

Answer 2. to

Recollections

13.

Duncan Reid

West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Duncan Reid who wrote:

Answer

Sheep until 1977

"Hello again. I have had a discussion with Joe Muir, the present warder of Holyrood Park, who is well informed regarding the management of the park

He tells me that the sheep were taken off the park in 1977

There were several reasons for taking the sheep off the park, including dogs chasing the sheep and road kills. Several had even been killed after being chased over the Salisbury Crags.

There were as many as 2,000 sheep in the park at their peak. They were brought in by a contractor and left to graze wherever.

Return of Sheep now Unlikely

Joe Muir tells me that there have been several attempts to bring the sheep back, but costs have been outwith budgets. Also, new rules covering the welfare of sheep would require them to be brought in each night.

Joe believes that the return of sheep to the park is now unlikely because of the increase in people and traffic now using the park, and the return of Hunter's Bog and other areas to wet land conditions."

Duncan Reid, West Lothian, Scotland: March 3, 2010

Recollections

14.

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Henderson who wrote:

'My King's Park'

© ©

"I knew it was just a matter of time until you came up with MY Kings park. These postcards show it just how I remember it."

Sheep and Allotments

"We even used to collect the sheep's purls (droppings) to make manure for the allotment. We would gather 3 or 4 lb. of the droppings, which were usually quite dry, in a bag.

These would be tipped into an old 5 gall. oil drum with the top cut out and topped up with water. For the next week or so, when we visited the allotment, we would stir it until we had a nice dark green soup. This would be dispensed from a watering can along the rows of vegetables."

5 Gallon Drums

The ubiquitous five gallon drum had many uses but the main one was as a bin to put out the rubbish for the dustmen to collect. Again the top would be cut out but then a wire handle was provided for carrying it down the stairs to the pavement where it was left to be emptied.

We all had coal fires then so a metal bin was necessary to contain the sometimes hot remains."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh: July 13, 2010

Recollections

15.

Tony Henderson

Canada

Thank you to Tony Henderson, formerly of Lower Viewcraig Row, for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guest book after seeing some of the photos of Holyrood Park in the snow, taken on Christmas Eve, 2010. Here are three of them:

Tony wrote:

Memories

"The photos sure brought back some memories.

I have:

- walked around the park.

- played football in it.

- done the Radical Road.

- sledged down the road past James Clark's school.

- run round it, after PT.

- cycled it.

- driven round it."

Tony Henderson, Canada: message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, December 28, 2010

Recollections

16.

John Taylor

Oliva, Valencia, Spain

Thank you to John Taylor who wrote:

Arthur's Seat

Concrete Cairn

"On top of Arthur's Seat there is a concrete cairn with a metal plate with compass lines engraved on it.

It was taken up there by horse and cart by my grandfather, Jock Taylor - another bit of history."

John Taylor, Oliva, Valencia, Spain: June 12+13, 2013

John added: "I've not lived in Edinburgh since I came out of the Royal Scots in 1962/63. I've travelled extensively, mostly in Egypt and Africa. I now live permanently in Oliva, a small town in Valencia, Spain. I'm now 76 years old."

Photos - Holyrood Park
Recollections - Jeanie Dean's Cottage and The Slidey Stane
Recollections - More Pages	Recollections - Contributors