Recollections

1.

Lorraine Bruce

Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland

Thank you to Lorraine Bruce who wrote:

Lochend Farm Cottage

"I spent the first years of my life living near Ratho / Newbridge and going to Newbridge primary school.  We lived in the cottage of Lochend Farm which was owned by hee Baird family who also owned a farm called Barnyards at Kirkliston.

When I was a wee girl Lochend had the then A8 running right in front of it but the farm itself was surrounded by fields.  Now, the farm still stands but the fields are all gone.

The little cottage we rented had a wonderful black leaded range for cooking."

The Farm

"I was always kept in during the harvest because of the combines. They had pigs on this farm, a garage behind and many many chicken sheds.

A lot of photos were taken of me is those years but they are all gone. I'd love to find some or of the farm itself."

The District

"The area between Ratho and Newbridge was quite pretty, there was a hidden cottage garden centre and a tiny wee sweetie shop, whose owner was well know.  She scared me a bit.

Newbridge primary school became a candle making concern in the later years but has now been demolished.  I'd also love to find photographs of the school."

Bill Summers

"My father had a great friend Bill Summers.  He was Head Gardener, Lothian Region for years.  He loved taking photos.  He died a couple of years ago.

I often wish i could trace his family to see if, in some dusty attic, there are negatives with me  as a wee girl on them."

Lorraine Bruce, Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland:  October 3, 2010

Bill Summers' Family

If you know how Lorraine might be able to trace Bill Summers' family, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, October 3, 2010

Recollections

2.

Lorraine Bruce

Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland

Thank you to Lorraine Bruce who wrote again with more memories of Ratho.

Lorraine wrote:

Scots Magazine

"I know that, some years ago, there was a copy of the Scots Magazine that had an article on Ratho and area.  It showed a photograph of the street with the wee garden centre etc.

Disused Railway Line

My father worked as a grocer in Ratho itself.  I know that there was a disused railway line very nearby as my father would take me walks along it, pointing out wild life etc.

This must have made a deep impression on me as I now make handmade cards and take photographs for my own blog and write about an old railway line on the Black Isle.

Lorraine Bruce, Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland:  October 4, 2010

Recollections

3.

Ian Thomson

Lake Maquarie, New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to Ian Thomson who wrote:

Golf Courses

"It's good to here about Ratho and Newbridge.  This area was a playground for my pals  and me in the 1940s.

I remember chestnut hunting on Ratho Park golf course.  There were excellent trees that we would climb and knock off the conkers.  There was also a fine golf coarse at Ingliston, next door to Newbridge."

The Glue Factory

"As a 15-year-old plumber's apprentice with Fell & Mathieson in Corstorphine, many a day we worked at the glue factory  above Broxburn, travelling via Gogar and Ratho by bike.

Part of the part of the journey was along the canal.  You could smell the stink before you reached it, but it never seemed to interfere with my appetite.

Black tea was made in the drum in the furnace, usually in 30 seconds. Yung Davey Fell and I would finish about 3 in the afternoon, so we were back in Corstorphine for finishing time."

Football

"Jimmy Wilson, the electrician and his pal, Bobby Parker came from Newbridge.  Bobby was a fine footballer.  He played full-back with Hearts in their successful side in the 1950s."

Travel to Kirkliston

"I was a 15-year-old plumber's apprentice with Fell & Mathieson in Corstorphine.  One of the places I worked at was Maradolla Ice Cream Shop on the corner of the village of Kirkliston

In those days, it was right turn at the Maybury, out past the airfield, over the river & up the hill to reach Kirkliston.  There were no cars  It was all done by one-gear bike.

Wonderful country.  I had happy days and memories of when time didn't seem to matter."

Ian Thomson, Lake Maquarie, New South Wales , Australia:  October 6, 2010

More Travels

Ian also wrote about his travels to Kirkliston, when he worked as a plumber's apprentice with Fell & Mathieson.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, October 8, 2010

Ratho:  Photos and Recollections

Edinburgh Recollections

Contributors