Edinburgh History - David Kirkpatrick School

Recollections

Duncan Shedden

Hillswick, NW coast of Shetland Island, Scotland

Duncan Shedden who was born in Lochinvar Camp at Wardie School Playing Fields and now lives in Shetland Islands, writes:

D K School - 1950s

"I have just had a good afternoon looking at your web and once again there was a few lumps in the old throat.

I was a bit surprised that nobody has ever mentioned my good old secondary school, 'DK' (David Kilpatrick's) at the far end of Junction St , Leith"

Channel Swimmer

"At the time I was there its claim to fame was our science teacher Ned Barney was a famous Channel swimmer."

Football

"I was also picked for the Edinburgh Schoolboys' Football team while playing for DK. According to my dad the great Leeds and Scotland player Peter Lorimar was in the same team, as were a few other pro players.

If you have or can find any info or pictures I would love to see them."

'Bombies'

"The other classic was the Bombies. This was the site opposite the school where the after school activities took place i.e. fights."

Photos

"If you have or can find any info or pictures I would love to see them."

I don't have any more info or pictures myself, but if I find anything interesting, I'll add it to the web site. Perhaps somebody else has something.

- Peter Stubbs: February, 2006.

Duncan Shedden, NW coast of Shetland Island, February 3, 2006

Recollections

John Stewart

Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

Old Leither Web Site

Thank you to John Stewart, now living in Livingston, West Lothian, for telling me that a photograph of DK school, following the bombing in 1941, can be found on the Old Leither' web site

John was born in Leith in 1934 and attended Dr Bell's school. He has created an 'Old Leither' web site that records his own memories of Leith and a few other people's memories of Leith. It is on this web site that the photograph of DK school can be found.

Here are a couple of short extracts from John's memories of attending Dr Bell's school. in Great Junction Street, Leith.

Recollections

Patricia MacKenzie (née Paterson)

New Jersey, USA

Thank you to Patricia MacKenzie for leaving the message below in the EdinPhoto Guest Book.

Patricia wrote:

Leith

"I was born in Spiers Place Leith in 1947 and moved around the corner to Henderson St in 1949. I went to David Kilpatrick's secondary school 1959 to 1962, and moved to New Jersey, USA in 1976.

I'd like to hear from anyone who may remember me."

Patricia MacKenzie (née Paterson), New Jersey, USA:
Message and email address left in EdinPhoto Guest Book, July 24, 2008

Contacting Patricia

If you'd like to contact Patricia, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her.

Thank you. - Peter stubbs: July 28, 2008

Update 1

Harry Paterson contacted me on September 3, 2008, telling me that he thinks he is probably Patricia's cousin. I've forwarded Harry's email to Patricia.

- Peter stubbs: September 11, 2008

Update 2

Message for Patricia

Patricia: have you changed your email address since you posted your message in the EdinPhoto Guestbook in July 2008? If so, can you please email me to let me know your latest email address?

Duncan Shedden who was born in 1946 tells me that he attended DK school at the same time as yourself. He now lives in Shetland and would like to contact you.

- Peter stubbs: June 28, 2012

Recollections

Marion McKay

Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Marion McKay, formerly of 198 Bonnington Road, and now living in Aberdeenshire, left this message in the EdinPhoto guestbook:

"I'd like to trace a couple of old friends. I haven't seen or heard from them in nearly 56 years and would like any information on how they are. The friends are:

Moira Smith

Moira Smith, who lived in Stanwell Street. She worked as a secretary at Leith Hospital. She married John Banks, then moved to the corner of Madeira St/ Ferry Rd.

John Munro

John Munro, who lived at 42 North Fort Street. He was an apprentice joiner, great swimmer and piper with 1st Leith BB's and Leith Dockers. John's sister Mary was married at Seaton Hall, Newhaven. I also went to school with Joan Hall."

Question

Moira Smith

"I also went to school with Joan Hall.

We all attended David Kirkpatrick school 1947 - 1951."

Marion McKay, Aberdeenshire: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook: February 28, 2009

Answer

If you can help Marion to contact her old friends, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her daughter.

Thank you. - Peter stubbs: February 28, 2009

Recollections

Patricia Moore

Leith, Edinburgh

Thank you to Patricia Moore, Leith, for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guest book

Patricia wrote:

Remember Me?

"I have such wonderful memories of Leith - Dr Bells primary school from 1953, then David Kilpatrick's from 1960 to 1963.

I'd love to contact anyone from Leith that may remember me:

- The Duthie family

- Maureen from No.16

- Helen Douglas

- Paddy Trainor

all wonderful street pals that will be in my warm memories from my childhood."

Patricia Moore, Leith, Edinburgh: December 17, 2009

Reply to Patricia?

If you'd like to reply to Patricia, please add a reply to the message that she left in the EdinPhoto guest book on December 17, 2009

email me then I'll pass your message on to her (assuming that I have discovered her email address by then).

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: December 19, 2009

Recollections

Madge Buick

Edinburgh

Thank you to Madge Buick, Edinburgh, for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guest book

Madge wrote:

Remember Me?

"I went to David Kilpatrick Secondary School.

Does anyone remember me?

My sister was Bernice, born May 31, 1946

My brother was Stanley - born November 24, 1935

Madge Buick, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto web site, February 22, 2010

Reply to Madge?

I don't have an email address for Madge, so if you'd like to send a message to her, can you please add a reply to the message that she left in the EdinPhoto guest book on February 22, 2010.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: December 19, 2009

Recollections

William Dutton

Colinton, Edinburgh

Thank you to Lorraine Bruce for sending me this message from her father, William Dutton, Colinton, Edinburgh who is now aged 80:

Teachers

"I went to David Kilpatrick Secondary School.

I recall:

- Geography Teacher: Mr MacGregor

- Register Teacher: Miss Crawford

- Ned Barney: channel swimmer"

Message received from Lorraine Bruce, Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland: September 23, 2010

Recollections

James Liddell

Edinburgh

James Liddell wrote:

1964-67

"I started at DK in 1964 in class 1b1. The following year, I was in 2b1, then in my final year I was in 3b1, I left the school in July 1967.

I remember, in my class:

- Derek Squires

- Jim White

- Rab White

- Donald Cullen

- Andy McDonald

- David Dodds

- Dennis Arnold

- etc.

Question

Does anybody have email addresses for anybody who was in the same year as me at the school?"

James Liddell, Edinburgh: July 26, 2011

Reply to James

If you can help Marion to contact her old friends, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her daughter.

Thank you. - Peter stubbs: February 28, 2009

Recollections

Graham Whyte

Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England

After reading 'Recollections 8' above, Graham Whyte wrote:

School Friends

"I remember Donald Cullen. He was a good friend at DK school. We used to play football together, along with the likes of:

- Mike & Jim Berkery

- Paddy Malley

I believe he was in the same year as:

- me

- John Purkiss

- Billy Dove

- me.

to name but a few.

I've not heard of any of them since 1966.

Graham Whyte, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England: February 3, 2012

Recollections

10.

Margaret Currie

Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Margaret Currie asks:

Question

Photo of the School

"Does anyone have a photo of David Kilpatrick's School?

I have a friend who lives here in Niagara on Lake Ontario. She is now 89 years old. She was in the Air Force with the barrage balloons during WW2.

I know that she would dearly love to have this picture.

Thank you.

Margaret Currie, Niagara, Ontario, Canada: December 23, 2012

Photos of the David Kilpatrick School

So, if you know of any pictures of David Kilpatrick's school that might be of interest to Margarets friend, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Margaret.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: December 23, 2012

Recollections

11.

Eddie Williamson

Pickering, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Eddie Williamson for posing a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Eddie wrote:

Teachers

"I've been looking at the comments about David Kilpatrick School. I went there from 1952 until 1955.

I wonder who remembers:

- Mr Ring., Geography Teacher.

- Mr Lindsay, Art Teacher. I think his nickname was Bruiser Lindsay. He used to smack you on the back of your head.

- Ned Barnie. Everyone remembers him!"

Eddie Williamson, Pickering, Ontario, Canada. Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook Apr 13, 2013,

Recollections

12.

Moira Boyd (née Reid)

Thank you to Moira Boyd (née Reid) for replying to Eddie Williamson's message in Recollections 11 above.

Moira wrote:

Teachers

Mr Ring

"Hi Eddie. You must have been in 3rd Year when I was in 1st Year st David Kilpatrick School.

I got a 'double-hander' from Mr Ring and he stuck me in the seat in front of his desk. I was top o' the class for 3 years."

Mr Lindsay

"As for "Bruiser" Lyndsay, he took a great interest in me. I loved Art, but was also scared o' that ruler he smacked us wi'. I remember the Art Classes. They were were up in the Attics,

Happy Days eh!!"

Moira Boyd (née Reid): Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook April 17, 2013, in response to a message posted in the guestbook on April 13, 2013.

Recollections

13.

Moira Boyd (née Reid)

Thank you to Moira Boyd (née Reid) for posting a further reply to Eddie Williamson's message in Recollections 11 above.

Moira wrote:

Teachers

"Hi Eddie. You really got me thinking last night, remembering all the teachers:

- Fanny Dawson, Head Teacher

- Mr Taylor, History

- Miss Ross Maths

- Mrs Arnot, Commercial

- Ned Barnie and Miss Barnes, Science

- Mr Naysmith, Religious Knowledge

- Mr Tod : my big brother, George Reid, had him for Science.

I've just remembered Mr Wishart, Commercial.

Pupils

"Eddie: Do you remember:

- Alec Wallace?

- George Reid?

- Billy Paxton?

- Jack Watt?

- Derick Melville?

They are all from Burlington Street and Bowling Green. Keeping the auld brain cells ticking over.

Moira Boyd (née Reid): Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook April 18, 2013, in response to a message posted in the guestbook on April 13, 2013.

Recollections

14.

Mary Boucher (née McColgan)

Canada

Thank you to Mary Boucher who wrote:

1958-61

"I remember

- Bombies fights after school

- Mr Naysmith

- Mr Munro, Science (nickname Minnie Munro)

- Mr Taylor, History

- Mr Brown, Gym

- Ned Barney

- the plane in the school yard."

Class Mates

"My class mates were:

- Margo Rutherford

- Joyce Rogers

and the guys:

- Peter Cormack. He played for the Hibs

- Phil Duncan, now married to my niece, Angela Gorrie

- Billy Paxton?

- Jack Watt?

- Derick Melville?

Those were the Days

"Yes, those were the days when the choir would sing in the Usher Hall. It's sad to see, when I go back to visit Edinburgh that the school has now been demolished."

Mary Boucher (née McColgan)), Canada: 3 June, 2013

Recollections

15.

Duncan Shedden

Hillswick, NW coast of Shetland Island, Scotland

Thank you to Duncan who wrote:

2016

School Gates

"I was back in Leith a few months ago and was shocked to find that the old Iron gates at the entrance for D.K. are still standing.

My friend who took me there lives in one of the flats opposite.

It was a trip down memory lane."

Duncan, NW coast of Shetland Island, Scotland: 24 August 2016

Recollections

16.

John Donald

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to John Donald who wrote:

Bombed Buildings

"When I left David Kilpatrick's school, the bombed buildings were still standing - though precariously"

Ned Barney

"Ned Barney was my teacher at the school.

He had a trick that he did each year at the gala, where he would dive from the balcony into the shallow end of the swimming pool.

Look at his body shape in the photo below that someone sent in, then think of diving approximately 20 feet into 3 feet of water, without slamming his head on the bottom! Our hearts were in our mouths watching it.! A remarkable man, no doubt."

John Smith and Ned Barnie preparing to swim the Firth of Forth - 1955

© Reproduced by courtesy of Evening News. Click here for web site details.
and with acknowledgement to Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

John Donald, Windsor, Ontario, Canada: 8 September 2016