W R & S - Photograph of Boroughmuir School in the early 1900s

Year	Gillespie Crescent	Warrender Park Cres	Viewforth
1803	Gillespie school and hospital were established here from a legacy left by James Gillespie, an Edinburgh snuff and tobacco manufacturer. The school was based in Gillespie Crescent until 1914.
1905		Renaissance frontage in pale orange sandstone facing onto Bruntsfield Links. © Built 1902. Officially Opened 1905 as Boroughmuir School Later known as Borough-muir School Annexe.
1914	The military moved into there during the 1st World War.	Gillespie school moved here when the building building was vacated by Boroughmuir.	Renaissance with Byzantine details, a Doric porch and tall flanking towers. Built 1911. Boroughmuir School. moved here, in 1914
1922	The building was sold to the Royal Blind Asylum.
Colour Key above: Boroughmuir James Gillespie Others
Acknowledgements Architectural Details: The Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh, John Gifford et al. 1984 School Occupants: James Gillespie School web site The photo below appeared in the WR&S Ltd album, 'Edinburgh and Vicinity' ©

B. Requests and Questions
Request 1.	Elma Cairns (nee Reid) Flint, Texas, USA	- Classmates, 1950s
Request 2.	John E Kirkwood Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland	- Classmates, 1950s - Meeting Again
Request 3.	Nancy Abbott (nee Gilchrist) South Africa	- Classmates, 1960s

Request

Classmates from 1950s

1950s

Elma Cairns, nee Reid now living in Flint, Texas, USA wrote in the EdinPhoto guestbook

"I attended Boroughmuir from 1954 - 1958 and would love to hear from any classmates, especially June Oddie who came from the Dumbiedykes area.

I will be in Auld Reekie from July 27 until August 1, 2007 and may meet up with old friends"

Elma Cairns, nee Reid, Flint, Texas, USA: July 24, 2007

If you'd like to contact Elma, please e-mail me and I'll pass on your message to her.

Thank you. - Peter stubbs.

Request

Classmates from 1950s

Thank you to John E Kirkwood for sending me these two class photos, taken at Boroughmuir School:

1949-50 - Class 1C1

1951-52 - Class 3B4

John would be keen to hear from others who remember him from school.

John E Kirkwood, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland: March 9, 2008

Update 1 - March 2011

John emailed me again in March 2011 to tell me:

Meeting Again

"I got a reply from classmate, Jim Mercer ,who had moved to Hamilton, Ontario. In fact, he was back in 'Auld Reekie' last year and we, along with our wives, met up and had a good blether.

Now I have had a reply from Lilian Young. The three of us are now collaborating, putting names to faces etc. Lilian moved to New Jersey, USA in 1956 with her family.

Unfortunately I've had no word back from Rose as yet, but still early days."

Anybody Else?

"Jim Mercer and his wife are due back in Edinburgh for a month from mid-April 2011. Should anyone else from our era recognise us we would be pleased to meet up with them too."

John E Kirkwood, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland: March 29, 2011

Class 1C1, 2B4, 3B4 circa 1949-52

Update 2 - May 2011

Thank you to John for emailing me again and for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook on May 11, 2011. John wrote:

Classmates

"I've just met up again with Jim Mercer during his recent visit to Edinburgh. This time we also had the pleasure of the company of:

- Valerie (Trollope) Cant from Livingston and
- Kathleen (Mathieson) Crawford from Currie.

We enjoyed a 3+ hour lunch going over old times at 'Burry' and the the intervening 59 years since we all last met.

Thanks must also go to Lilian (Raeburn) Young from New Jersey who put me in touch with the 'girls', also through the EdinPhoto web site.

It's a pity that Lilian could not join usfor our thoroughly enjoyable meeting.

Here's hoping we might meet up with other members of our class in the future.

John E Kirkwood, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland: May 11, 2011

Reply to John

"If you remember John or any of the others mentioned above, and would like to send a message to them, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to them. Thank you."

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: May 12, 2011

Recollections

Ann Landels

Aberdeenshire, Scotland

1960s

Thank you to Ann Landels, Aberdeenshire, for the comments below. Ann attended the school in the photo above in 1965/66, when it was James Gillespie's High School for Girls

"Although this building was built for Boroughmuir it was only Boroughmuir School for a very short time.

When Boroughmuir moved to current location, James Gillespie's moved in and it eventually became James Gillespie's High School for Girls until the current building was opened in the Bruntsfield House grounds in 1966. Muriel Spark would also have gone to school in that building.

The building later became part of the Dean nursing college. It is now Edinburgh University student accommodation."

Recollections

Graeme Kerr

Selkirk, Borders, Scotland

Thank you to Graeme Kerr, now living in Selkirk, Scottish Borders, for the comments below. Graeme attended the school when it was Boroughmuir School Annexe in the '70s and '80s.

High School Annexe

"After James Gillespies moved out, this building became Boroughmuir High School Annexe (Affectionately known as the junior school), attended by myself, two brothers and sister in the 70's and 80's.

The gable end in your picture, from the ground up, shows one of the science classes, the room above I think was a storage room and the top was history.

Shooting off to the right, unseen in the photo, was the maths corridor with the gym at the top. The attic with the bell tower contained one of the art classes and was a trek and a half up a narrow staircase to get to. Once again, fond memories.

I believe the Boroughmuir moved all its classes to the Viewforth building in the late 80's after filling in the central area above the gym halls to create more space. You'll know what I mean if you've been in the Viewforth building. (It is also the school's centenary this year.)"

D. Questions and Answers
Question 1.	Doris Shore Montreal, Quebec, Canada	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 1	George T Smith Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 2	Stephen McMahon Munich, Germany	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 3	George T Smith Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 4	Neil Anderson	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 5	Betty Smith (nee White) Holywell, near Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 6	Betty Smith (nee White) Holywell, near Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 7	Alastair Adams	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 8	Don Sandilands Toronto, Ontario, Canada	- Boroughmuir School Song
Question 1. REPLY 9	Jim Cairns Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland	- Boroughmuir School Song

Question 2.	Evan Reid Ayrshire, Scotland	- Athletics 1955 - The Boroughmuir Team
Question 2. REPLY 2	Bob Fairley Palma, Majorca	- Classmates + Rugby Colleagues

Question 3.	Margaret Kortas British Columbia, Canada	- Friends - Tommy Gifford

Question

Boroughmuir School Song

Doris Shore, formerly of Edinburgh and now living in Canada, asked the following question. If you can help to answer it, please e-mail me, and I'll tell Doris. Thank you: - Peter Stubbs April 16, 2007

Doris wrote:

"I am trying to find the lyrics to the Boroughmuir School song."

Doris Shore, Montreal, Quebec, Canada: April 17, 2007

Reply to Doris?

If you'd like to send a reply to Doris, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to her.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs

Reply 1.

to Question

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith, British Columbia, Canada for the suggestion below.

George wrote:

"While I remember the first line " We are vassals of the Muir" the
rest escapes me . I think though if your correspondent contacts the Boroughmuir school web site she may get the full lyric or, more likely, an up dated version in hip-hop mode

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: April 16, 2007

Reply

to Question

Stephen McMahon

Munich, Germany

Thank you to Stephen McMahon, Munich, Germany, for the suggestion below.

Stephen wrote:

"All I can really recommend is that someone e-mails the school office. They can probably help through their network of former teachers.

Otherwise: The Press department (Culture and Leisure) at the City Council helped me trace a 1970s school concert programme. They have links to music teachers in the city who may know someone who knows someone….."

Stephen McMahon, Munich, Germany: April 17, 2007

Update

I've now e-mailed the Boroughmuir School Office to see if they can help.

Neil Anderson has replied. See 'Answer' below.

- Peter Stubbs: April 18, 2007

Reply

to Question

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith, British Columbia, Canada for the further message

George wrote:

"Ken Smith of Calgary says he remembers the first line as I did and it continues - he thinks - with something about the Borestane (which is part of the school badge).

He also thinks it might have been composed by a Mr Moyes, a music teacher who went on to higher things in the music world.

While the name is familiar my own recollection is of a Mr Whitfield who talked of "tone colours", a concept that went over my uncomprehending and tone deaf head.

I am sure that your enquiries will reveal the song's lyrics and perhaps the rather turgid music to which they were sung by my class of uninspired teenagers. (Yes, we had them in those days too.)

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: April 19, 2007

Reply

to Question

Neil Anderson

Answer

Thank you to Neil Anderson, Boroughmuir School for replying, giving me the lyrics to the school song.

"We are Vassals of the 'Muir, Vassals of the 'Muir.
In silent vigil at her shrine,
We pledge fealty to the 'Muir.
"Justus! Serve the cause of right:"
"Tenax! keep the scutcheon bright."
And we proudly bear the banner,
The liege Vassals of the 'Muir.
The 'Muir, The 'Muir, Vassals of the 'Muir,
Rally to the Borestone, O Ye Vassals of the 'Muir.
To the gate that opens wide,
To the lamp that burns inside.
To the gate that opens wide,
To the lamp that burns inside.
To the Borestone, To the Borestone,
All Ye Vassals of the 'Muir."

Neil Anderson, Boroughmuir School, Edinburgh: April 19, 2007

Update 1

Thank you to Irene Beaver, now living in Kirkliston, Edinburgh, who sent me the same words as above.

Irene added:

"To the best of my knowledge, these words are correct, although how I managed to remember them when I forgot half of what I was taught beats me. :)

There's another version which starts 'We are vessels of manure...' - much more popular with the pupils."

Irene Beaver, Kirkliston, Edinburgh, September 29, 2007

Update 2

Thank you also to Rosemary Macleod for sending me very similar lyrics.

Rosemary added:

"I think the lyrics were composed by history teacher, Mr Harris, ("Felix"). He was a lovely little man, but not quite of the world as it was then. The words made us laugh helplessly!"

Rosemary Macleod: September 21, 2009

Reply

to Question

Betty Smith (nee White)

Holywell, near Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England

Thank you to Maureen Ritson (nee Pyper), now living in Holywell, Northumberland, who attended Boroughmuir from 1958 to 1964 for sending me the message below.

Maureen wrote:

'Pupil Version'

"I left Boroughmuir in 1964 and can still remember the tune of the school song. I managed to remember most of the words as well.

There was also a 'pupil version' which my mother said began: 'We are barrels of manure'!

She was at the school way back in the 1920's, I think.

Maureen Ritson (nee Pyper), Holywell, nr. Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England: April 25, 2007

Reply

to Question

Betty Smith (nee White)

Thank you to Betty Smith (nee White), now living in Italy, who attended Craiglockhart Primary School, then Boroughmuir, for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guest book.

Betty wrote:

School Song

"On the subject of the Boroughmuir School song. I still have the original music should anyone want a copy."

Betty Smith (nee White), Message left in Edinphoto Guest Book,: December 3, 2008

Reply

to Question

Don Sandilands

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Don Sandilands who wrote:

School Song

"After reading the comments above, I've been way down memory lane.

I went to Boroughmuir form 1940 to 1944 (leaving age 14). I am 82 years old now but still remember most of the words of the Boroughmuir school song, composed by the music teacher and I think his name was" Moir" or "Moyes". My class did not learn much about music for, when rationing began, my music period consisted of completing ration books for the public from forms.

The words of the song went something like this:

'We are Vassals of the Muir (or moor), Vassals of the Muir

In silent vigil at the shrine,

We pledge fealty to the Muir.

Justus! Serve the cause of right!

Tenax! Keep the scutcheon bright,

As we proudly bear the banner

The true Vassals of the Muir'."

These words agree almost exactly with the first few lines of the verse in 5 above.

Don added

Up at 5am

"That's about all I remember about the school, except for getting the strap almost every morning for being late, as I had to get up at 5.00am to deliver rolls and milk for the Dumfries Dairy and newspapers along the same route for a newsagent on Gorgie Road.

Needless to say, my school years from age eleven at Boroughmuir do not evoke happy memories - not that it was the fault of the school!

Being up at 5.00am had its advantages, however:

- I was able to breakfast on rolls and milk, courtesy of Dumfries Dairy.

- I was one of the first kids on the street to gather shrapnel after an air raid! It made great souvenirs."

Don Sandilands, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: July 17, 2010

Reply

to Question

Jim Cairns

Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

Thank you to Jim Cairns for letting me see the sheet music for 'Vassals of the 'Muir', published by Rae MacIntosh & Co Ltd, 39 George Street, Edinburgh.

The song is described as:

Broughton Secondary School

Rallying Song

Poem by: U A Harris Music by: Frank Moyes

The sheet music has a green cover with an illustration of three soldiers (or similar) background is another on horseback and a Saltire, with a backdrop of Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park.

Unfortunately, I'll not be able to add this music or illustration to the EdinPhoto web site for copyright reasons.

Acknowledgement: Jim Cairns, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland: November 29, 2010

Question

Evan Reid, now living in Ayrshire, Scotland wrote:

Athletics - 1955

"I recently came across a short reference to the Edinburgh Schools Athletic Team to meet the Glasgow Schools at the annual inter-city athletic contest which was held at Scotstoun, Glasgow in June 1955.

I know it is a long shot but I wondered if anyone had a full copy of the Edinburgh Team List covering the three age groups which were:

- Group A (17-19)

- Group B (15-17)

- Group C (13-15).

I took part in that contest and was in Group B and therefore have a particular interest in that list.

The Boroughmuir Team

I was at Boroughmuir at that time and some of the other Boroughmuir lads who were in the team that come to my mind are:

- Arthur Leitch

- Tom Gifford

- John Hughes

- Brian Blisset

- J. Trench.

I also remember:

- Roger Macdonald (Heriots)

- Eddie Keating (Heriots)

- Lorimer (Watsons)."

Evan Reid, Ayrshire, Scotland: December 19, 2009

Reply to Evan?

If you'd like to send a reply to Evan, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to him.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs

Reply

to Question

Bob Fairley

Palma, Majorca

Thank you to Alastair Adams who wrote:

Class Mates and Rugby Colleagues

"I've just discovered Evan Reid’s interest in:

- Arthur Leitch

- Tom Gifford

- John Hughes

- Brian Blisset

They were all classmates or rugby colleagues and friends.

I still have contacts with:

- Larry Hutchison (antiquarian)

- John Gray

- Harry Pincott (Scotsman, sports)

After 43 years in Germany, I am now retired in Palma de Mallorca.

Bob Fairley, Palma de Mallorca: July 2, 2010

Question

Former Boroughmuir pupils have been asking more questions than visitors to the web site who attended other schools. Is this a result of the way they were taught at Boroughmuir?

Here is another question. It comes from Margaret Kortas who now lives in Canada.

Margaret wrote:

Friends

"I attended the Muir from 1952 until 1958 and was in the same class as John Gray, Harold Pincott, Tom Gifford and John Hughes at various times.

I read some time ago on a Muir website that John Hughes was running a business in Sweden and that Tommy Gifford had died very young. They were both gifted linguists and were the first pupils in the school to learn Russian."

Tommy Gifford

"Tommy lived downstairs from my friend. and am curious about what career he followed and when and how he died. He was a very low key but nice fellow."

Margaret Kortas, British Columbia, Canada: October 17, 2010

Reply to Evan?

If you'd like to send a reply to Margaret, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to her.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs