Photograph of a street scene with tram and a sign for Belamine Bread

Street Scene

The Photo

Thank you to Dean Malpass for allowing me to reproduce this photo.

Dean wrote:

"This photo is in a built up area. there are tram lines and the name 'Bermaline Bread' on a building.

It is a photo of my great grandfather, his daughter and his granddaughter. The granddaughter has what looks like a bucket and spade or small rod in her hand. I assume they were on a trip to the seaside.

I am almost sure was taken in Edinburgh in the year 1928"

Acknowledgement: Dean Malpass, Cambridgeshire, England: January 30, 2010

Where is it?

I don't recognise this photo as being Edinburgh.

Bermaline Bread was a type of malt loaf from a company which I believe was based in Glasgow and in Haddington, East Lothian.

The building beyond the one with the Bermaline Bread sign appears to be a Methodist Church or Chapel.

Unfortunately, I cannot read the destination blind on the tram in the background.

Please email me if you can suggest where this photo might have been taken.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs: January 30, 2010

Answer

Thank you to Michael Keightley who sent me two adverts for Bermaline Bread, showing that the company was based in Bothwell Street, Glasgow.

Michael wrote

Bothwell Street, Glasgow?

"It looks like it could be Bothwell Street, Glasgow, where Bermaline Bread was based."

Michael Keightley: February 1, 2010

Answer

Thank you to Peter Rivet who replied:

Clues

"Apart from Bermaline Bread, there are two useful clues: the onion dome in the top right hand corner, and the tram."

Trams

"So far as the tram is concerned, the only trams Edinburgh had which looked at all like this were those it inherited from Leith and by 1928 they would have had enclosed ends and route numbers with coloured lights. It doesn't look like a Glasgow tram either."

Dunfermline

"Most Scottish tram operators put the destination box above the rail on their open top trams, but latterly the Dunfermline & District company repositioned them immediately above the driver. The other design details seem to fit Dunfermline too.

So I think this photo was probably taken there - or just possibly in Cowdenbeath, which was also served by Dunfermline's trams. Perhaps somebody who knows the Dunfermline area can identify the building with the dome."

Peter Rivet: Lancaster, Lancashire, England: September 30, 2010