The Ross Bandstand

Princes Street Gardens

Scotland v England Rugby International

being shown on the large screen

The Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens   -  during the 'Scotland v England' Rugby International Match on 22 March 2003 ©

The Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens and Ramsay Garden  -  during the 'Scotland v England' Rugby International Match on 22 March 2003 ©

The Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens   -  during the 'Scotland v England' Rugby International Match on 22 March 2003 ©

The Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh  Castle  -  during the 'Scotland v England' Rugby International Match on 22 March 2003 ©

Romeo & Juliet Performance

The Ross Bandsatnd  -  ready fo ra performance of Romeo & Juliet  -  July 2006 ©

The Ross Bandsatnd  -  ready fo ra performance of Romeo & Juliet  -  July 2006 ©

Beach Volleyball

   Beach Volleyball at the Ross Bandstand  -  July 2007 ©

Jazz on a Summer's Day

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, 2009 ©

 

Proposals for a new Bandstand

in Princes Street Gardens to replace the Ross Bandstand

A possible new bandstand for Princes Street Gardens.  Style:  grassy knoll  -  daytime illustration ©

Grassy Knoll  -  daytime

A possible new bandstand for Princes Street Gardens.  Style:  leaf  -  daytime illustration ©

Leaf  -  daytime

A possible new bandstand for Princes Street Gardens.  Style:  shelll  -  daytime illustration ©

Shell  -  daytime

A possible new bandstand for Princes Street Gardens.  Style:  grassy knoll  -  daytime illustration ©

Grassy Knoll  -  night-time

A possible new bandstand for Princes Street Gardens.  Style:  leaf  -  nighttime illustration ©

Leaf  -  night-time

A possible new bandstand for Princes Street Gardens.  Style:  shelll  -  nighttime illustration ©

Shell  -  night-time

A possible new bandstand for Princes Street Gardens.  Key ©

Key

 

The Ross Bandstand

Recollections

Many of Edinburgh's residents and former residents must have memories of the Ross Bandstand.

The Ross Bandsatnd  -  ready fo ra performance of Romeo & Juliet  -  July 2006 ©

 

Recollections

1.

Yvonne Cain

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Yvonne Cain (née Dorr), now living in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, recalls:

1950s

Saturday Mornings

"I remember going to Ross band stand on a Saturday morning and getting up on stage trying to sing and dance."

Yvonne Cain, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia:  October 2006

 

Recollections

2.

Peter Stubbs

Edinburgh

1960s and 2006

"I've lived in Edinburgh since 1963.  I remember talent concerts held at the Ross Bandstand  (on Saturday mornings?) and Scottish Country Dancing on weekday evenings in the 1960s.  I noticed this summer, 2006, that the Scottish Country Dancing evenings are still being held. 

Other recent events held at the Ross Bandstand include:

-  Rugby International screening on a large screen TV.

-  Edinburgh Festival Fireworks Concert.

-  Easter Passion Play.

-  Performances of 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Midsummer Night's Dream'."

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  October 2006

 

Recollections

3.

Lilian Young

USA

Thank you to Lilian Young, USA, who wrote:

1978

"I've made several return trips to Edinburgh since leaving at the age of 19 in 1966.

My cousin who left Edinburgh in 1955, aged 8, came with me on my visit in 1978,

She recognised Princes Street Gardens and recalled, in particular, the bandstand where we watched the Betty Brandon School of Dancers and 'Punch & Judy' shows.  Then, we were allowed onto the dance floor to dance 'The Grand old Duke of York' and other such childhood dances."

Lilian Young, USA:  November 29, 2006

 

Recollections

4.

Kim Traynor

Tollcross, Edinburgh

Thank you to Kim Traynor, Tollcross, Edinburgh, who wrote:

1958-59

"I remember several summer evenings, as a wee laddie, watching performances at the Ross Bandstand.

In about 1958 or 1959, Jimmy Shand played there when his band was appearing at the annual Ideal Home Exhibition in Waverley Market.

After the display of Scottish Country Dancing, members of the public took to the floor and started swirling around while he belted out ‘The Bluebell Polka’.

I think it was at that moment that I first had the feeling that there might be something special about being Scottish."

Kim Traynor, Tollcross, Edinburgh:  February 8, 2010

 

Recollections

5.

Judy Tomlin

Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Judy Tomlin who wrote:

1930s to 1940s

Question

"My great Uncle Benjamin Coyle's daughters performed on stage at the Ross Bandstand, but I do not know which ones. they were.

There were:

-  Jane Tillbrook Coyle b. 1931

Winifred Clara Tillbrook Coyle b. 1932

Patricia Clarissa Coyle b. 1946.–

I'd like to know if anyone remembers them.

 My mom was Annie Coyle, born 1924, in Leith.
Her brother Thomas still lives there on Halmyre, off Lorne."

Judy Tomlin, Ontario, Canada, November 22, 2013

Reply to Judy Tomlin?

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

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  November 22, 2013

 

Recollections

6.

David Mitchell

Thank you to David Mitchell for sending me a copy of a photo taken by Nigel Baxter at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, probably some time before 1960.

I'd like to add the photo to the web site at some stage, but cannot yet because I believe that it may still be under copyright.   I don't know whether or not Nigel is still alive, and if not, who now holds the copyright on his photos.

However, I am able to add David's comments about Nigel's photo below, and have now done that.   I hope you find his comments interesting.

Peter Stubbs:  7 December 2017

David wrote:

Princes Street Gardens

Children's Hour

"Nigel Baxter’s photograph was taken at the Ross Band Stand in Princes Street Gardens.  It almost certainly shows a 'Children’s Hour' entertainment.

In the late-1950s and the 1960s, this entertainment was provided daily during the school holidays.  Judging from the shadows and the lack of fathers present the photo is likely to have been taken on a weekday morning."

The Entertainment

"The shows followed a consistent pattern:

- The first half would be either a talent competition, open to all comers, or a Scottish Country Dancing session lead by a teacher from one of the Dance Schools in the city.  A team of dancers from the school would demonstrate the dances after which the audience joined in.

- The second half of the show was provided by professional acts and included a range of magicians, puppeteers and a family of acrobats.  The shows were compéred by ‘Uncle Max’ and music was provided on the accordion by ‘Uncle Bob’.   Bob was blind and was led onto the stage by Max.  On days when the professionals failed to turn up, Uncle Max would lead the audience in community singing."

The Stage

"The date of the photograph is almost certain to be earlier than 1960 when the wooden dance floor was replaced by a shiny (and slippery) tiled surface, set flush with the tarmac shown in the photograph

A park attendant would remove any rain from the tiles with a giant squeegee mop before dancing commenced. If the rain persisted then the performance was generally cancelled."

Free Shows

"There was no entry charge for the shows, or for entry to the talent competitions.  Competitors just had to turn up early at the back of the bandstand to register their names.  They were then seated on the stage in a long row before being called up, one-by- one, to perform.  

I entered several times, either reciting poetry or playing the recorder (loudly and badly).  I remember winning a ten shilling book token for the recorder playing, not because I had talent but because everyone else sang either 'I want to be Bobby’s Girl'  or 'Nobody’s Child'.”

David Mitchell:  5 December 2017

   

 

Recollections:

More Recollections

Contributors

 

More Photos:

Around Edinburgh

Princes Street Gardens

Other Parks and Gardens

 

 

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