EPS Outing

Almond Dell - 1883

The Annual Excursion in 1883 was to a picnic at Almond Dell.  The cost was 7s 6d for gentlemen and 5s 6d for ladies.  The outing left by barge, at 9.20am on 12 July, from the Wharf opposite India Rubber Works, Fountainbridge.  

Luncheon was served at noon, and the barge arrived at Almond Dell at half-past one.  

Mr Tamkin and Mr McKean each took a group photograph of the party.

Tickets for the Outing to Almond Dell

Tickets for EPS 1883 Outing to Almond Dell

©  Reproduced by courtesy of Edinburgh Photographic Society

 

The report of the 1883 outing to Almond Dell, travelling by barge on the Union Canal, captures the spirit of the occasion:  

“A Party of 109 travelled on a decorated barge with a couple of violins, ’cello and piano, dances and song.

On the outward journey, there was a solo singing competition with seven lady competitors, the prize being a 10” x 8” portrait in carbon of the winner (presented by Mr Balmain). 

The bachelors won the Tug of War between married and single.

There was music and dancing for 3-4 hrs. on the barge for the return journey”.

News of the EPS picnics spread.   The Chicago Beacon of April 1886 reported:

“EPS organises frequent camera excursions and a grand annual picnic on which occasion the whole of the photographic establishments are closed and amateur and professional employer and employé meet together and have a right good time.”

 The Union Canal

Barge on the Union Canal  -  2000

Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

The Union Canal continues to be photographed.  It was one of the venues visited by EPS Members on their "Wednesday Evening Walkabouts" in the 1990s.

The photograph above shows a canal barge on the Union Canal in 2000.  The canal is again being opened up for navigation trough funding from the Millennium Project.

Other Outings

and

Excursions

DATES OF OUTINGS

ANNUAL PICNICS and OUTINGS

1861-70

1871-80

1881-90

1891-95

1896-00

1901-10   

1911-20

1921-30

1931-50

1951-60

1961-70 

Plea for Outdoor Meetings

19th Century Destinations

Rambles and Outings: 1890s

1865:  Stenhouse Mills

1872:  Almond Dell - picnic

1876:  Winton Castle

1877:  Cadzow Forest

1877:  Almond Dell

1878:  Winton Castle - picnic

1881:  Gosford - picnic

1883:  Almond Dell - picnic

1884:  Arniston - picnic

1890:  Blackford Glen - picnic

1890s  Aberdour - picnic

1960s  Edinburgh Zoo

1990s  Union Canal

1994  Abbotsford

1997 Bamburgh Castle

NOTE:  Details of many outings from 1970 onwards have still to be added to this web site.

  

 

 

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