Edinburgh History - Recollectons

Edinburgh Recollections Darroch School
1.	Charles Forrest Whitstable, Kent, England	- South Bridge + Darroch schools
2.	Florence Broderick nee McGhee Murieston, West Lothian, Scotland	- South Bridge school - Darroch school
3.	Marion Marshall nee McLaren Colinton, Edinburgh	- South Bridge school - Darroch school
4.	Lyndsay Montgomery now Linda Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh	- Burgess Brothers
5.	John Clark Canada	- Teachers
6.	George T Smith Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- Sean Connery
7.	Catherine Taylor nee Clark Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England	- Teachers - School closed - Shops
8.	Patrick Hutton New Town, Edinburgh	- Gillespies at Darroch
9.	Mike Armstrong Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	- Teachers
10.	David Dickson Sydney, NSW, Australia	- 1950s - Teachers - Headmaster - Careers Advice
11.	Marion Marshall Colinton, Edinburgh	- School Reunion
12.	George Dalgleish Bruntsfield	- 1955-58 - Teachers - Class Mates
13.	Margaret Cooper Colindale, North London, England	- Teachers - Lunchtimes
14.	Angela Downie West Mains, Edinburgh	- School Friends - Reunions
15.	Billy Stewart	- School Friends: Reply
16.	John Gillespie	- Teachers
17.	Rosie Small	- The Gibson Family

Recollections

Charles Forrest

Whitstable, Kent, England

Thank you to Charles Forrest who wrote

South Bridge School

and

Darroch School

"I sincerely hope someone has some recall of the 2 schools in Edinburgh that I attended:

- South Bridge School (from about 1952 to 1958)

- Darroch Junior Secondary School (from 1958 to 1961)

My Primary Teacher was Miss Heatherwick.

Does anyone out there have any memories at all of either school, or of any of the teachers or pupils? I've been unable to get much info.

I lived in the Potterow before moving to Keir Street, near the Art College. I eventually moved, in 1961, to live above the 'Little Theatre' in the Pleasance which my dad ran, better known now as the 'Pleasance Festival Theatre'.

Any recall from classmates etc. would be fabulous."

Charles Forrest, Whitstable, Kent, England: Message left in EdinPhoto guest book, August 4, 2008

More Information?

If you have any information that you think may be of interest to Charles, please email me. Unfortunately, I don't have Charles' email address, so I cannot pass messages on to him, but I can add it to this page on the web site and hope that he finds it then emails me.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: August 6, 2008

Recollections

Florence Broderick
(nee McGhee)

Murieston, West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Florence Broderick who wrote

South Bridge School

"I lived in Milnes Court, Lawnmarket, and went to South Bridge school after Castle hill school closed down in 1952

I was in Mr Anthony Steeles class. He was the teacher who watched the lines to catch the late ones in the morning.

Other teachers were:

- Mrs Preston

- Miss Woolard, the sewing teacher

- Mr Wilson, the head master.

Darroch School

"I then went to Darroch in 1955, where my teachers were:

- Mr Findlay

- Mr Knight art teacher

- Miss Scott, cookery teacher

We went to Bruntsfield for laundry classes and to the school house around the corner where they taught you how to run a house.

I remember my pals:

- Joan Christie

- Irene Flockhart

- Irene Dickson

- Freda Tait"

Florence Broderick (nee McGhee), Murieston, West Lothian, Scotland: August 20, 2008

Recollections

Marion Marshall

(nee McLaren)

Colinton, Edinburgh

Thank you to Marion Marshall (nee McLaren) who wrote this message for Charles. Unfortunately I don't have Charles' email address, so I hope he looks again at this page and finds the message.

Marion wrote:

"Charles:

I stayed at George IV Bridge and was a year ahead of you at school. Maybe you remember Linda Harvey, Moira Potter or Jacqueline Dennison."

South Bridge School

"After beginning my schooling at Castlehill School (below the Esplanade) which closed after a year, I moved to South Bridge School.

The teachers I had there were Miss Brown and Miss Mowat. Other teachers were Miss Gibson (very strict), Mr Steele and Miss Woolard (the sewing/knitting teacher)."

Darroch School

"I remember Miss Heatherwick at Darroch. I had;

- Mrs Nelson (in the huts) as Register Teacher and for Maths.

- Mr Paterson for English, hen Mr Somerville

- Miss Ketchen for Cookery

- Miss Thomson for Laundry

- Mr Birrell for Typing

- Miss Fuller for Music

- Mr Knight for Art

- Mrs Easton for Science

Can't remember the others.

My husband, George Marshall, was also at South Bridge then Darroch schools, but he's 2 years older than me, so you probably wouldn't know him."

Marion Marshall (nee McLaren), Colinton, Edinburgh: August 31, 2008

Recollections

Lyndsay Montgomery
(now Linda Montgomery)

Old Town, Edinburgh

Thank you Linda (now Lyndsay) Montgomery for providing this reply to Charles Forrest.

Lynda wrote in the EdinPhoto guest book:

Burgess Brothers

"Two boys who lived close to me, David and Douglas Burgess both went to Darroch. They lived in Quarry Cottages just up from Niddrie Mill.

David was into golf, quite young, and played at Portobello golf course. Douglas was into athletics. I remember seeing a photograph in the Evening News here about him winning something at Meadowbank stadium

If you know either of them, I could try and find out a little more for you."

Linda (now Lyndsay) Montgomery, Old Town, Edinburgh:
Message left in EdinPhoto guest book: August 7, 2008.

Lyndsay

I don't know Charles Forrest's email address, so I'm not able to let him know about your reply. I hope he reads your reply above.

Message for Charles Forrest

If you read Lyndsay's message above and would like to contact her please email me, then I'll give you her email address.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs, August 7, 2008

Recollections

John Clark

Canada

Thank you to John Clark who wrote:

Teachers

"I do not have any fond memories of Darroch School. After experiencing the love and affection I had for North Merchiston Primary, Darroch was like a penitentiary.

I attended between 1949 and 1952. My one good memory is my English, History and Geography teacher, Mrs Rozgova. She was strict, but she was so intelligent about what was going on, and also what was in store for the future.

The only other teachers I remember are Mr Thorburn ( French) and Mr Mallenson ( Science)."

John Clark, Canada

Recollections

George T Smith

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith who wrote:

Sean Connery

"I'm surprised no one has mentioned one ex-pupil of Darroch: Thomas Connery, milkman, coffin polisher, body builder, chorus boy and film actor also known as Sean Connery; but then, most of his contemporaries are knocking 80 years by now."

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: August 21, 2008

Recollections

Catherine Taylor
(nee Clark)

Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England

Thank you to Catherine Taylor (nee Clark) who wrote:

Teachers

"I, too, attended Darroch school in the 1950s, a little before Charles Forrest (1 above). We used slates and slate pencils.

Mr Kennedy was our headmaster.

I was also taught by Mr Thorburn. He was quite scary to me. Our English teacher was Mrs Drayton."

Schools Closed

Sad to say Darroch, is no longer a school. Neither is South Bridge nor Drummond Street."

Catherine asked Charles Forrest:

Teachers

"Do you remember:

- Miss Forsyth, the music teacher?

- Mrs Forsyth the other French teacher?

- being taken to Lady Glenorchy church for certain services?

Shops

"Do you remember the shop in Gilmore Place that sold home-made tablet? - the number of dinner monies that were spent there and in the chip shop in Fountainbridge, opposite Duncan's chocolate factory! Oh happy days."

Catherine Taylor (nee Clark), Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England: January 10, 2009

Recollections

Patrick Hutton

New Town, Edinburgh

Thank you to Patrick Hutton who wrote:

Gillespies at Darroch

"I was at Darroch, so to speak. Gillespies used it as an annexe in the late 1970s. I spent most of my 2nd year (1976-77) there, as Gillespies was overcrowded and S2 was sent down there.

Darroch was used, throughout my time, for Arts and Crafts: the huts at the back were metalwork, Art was on the upper floors, and woodwork and Tech Drawing were upstairs in a separate building.

One winter the whole of Gillespies was squeezed in for a wee while as I think the oil tanker drivers were on strike, but the Darroch boilers were coal-fired.

We used to go to Tollcross sometimes. There was a short-cut through Murchies Dairy (stinking) to Lochrin Place."

Patrick Hutton, New Town, Edinburgh: January 12, 2009

Recollections

Mike Armstrong

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Thank you to Mike Armstrong who wrote:

Teachers

"I attended Darroch School. My final year was 1959, class 3TD. My teachers were:

- Mr. Alexander (Woodwork). He was a gentleman and a great teacher.

- Mr. Hendry Hall (Music). He carried his belt under his jacket and over his shoulder. He also taught the school's Brass Band.

- Miss Williamson (English).

- Miss. Bryce (Maths).

- Mr. Forbes (Metalwork).

- Mr. Tulloch (P.T.).

The Headmaster was Mr Kennedy."

Mike Armstrong, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: April 6, 2009

Recollections

10.

David Dickson

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to David Dickson who wrote:

1950s

"I attended Darroch Secondary School, leaving in 1959. I'm pretty sure I was in Class 3TD. The first name of one of my class mates was Alistair. He had blonde hair.

Headmaster

"The Headmaster was Mr Kennedy. He always wore a black gown over his suit and, if I remember correctly, had a neat grey coloured moustache and gold specs

Teachers

"The Music teacher was a Mr Hall. He always carried his belt over his shoulder and under his jacket.

Miss Williamson taught English and History/Geography."

Careers Advice

"My final advice from the School Careers Advisor, who I think was the Metal Work Teacher, was to go into a salesman's job.

However I ended up being a Police Officer in Sydney, Australia""

David Dickson, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Recollections

11.

Marion Marshall

Colinton, Edinburgh

Thank you to Marion Marshall, who wrote:

Darroch School Reunion

September 10, 2010

"I'm actually going to a Darroch Reunion on Friday, Sep 10, 2010, at Lothianburn Golf Club, 106a Biggar Road, Edinburgh (near the Hillend ski slope), 7.30pm to 11.00pm.

Anybody who is interested in this event should contact David McBain."

Marion Marshall, Colinton, Edinburgh: September 6, 2010

Recollections

12.

George Dalgleish

Bruntsfield, Edinburgh

Thank you to George Dalgleish, who wrote:

1955-58

"I attended Darroch (canal side academy) from 1955 to 1958.

Teachers

"Some of my teachers were:

- Gavan McAll, English.

- Dr Swanson, Maths.

- Mr Jeffries PT.

- Mr Forbes, Metal work.

Class Mates

"My class mates were:

- Jimmy Higgins.

- ? Hutchison.

- ? Mc Fadgen.

- Jean Gilmore.

- Kirk.

- Sargent bros.

- George Davis.

- Marlin Strachan."

I'd love to hear from any out there, if you think you remember me"

George Dalgleish, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, October 25, 2010

Recollections

13.

Margaret Cooper

Colindale, North London, England

Thank you to George Dalgleish, who wrote:

Teachers

"Darroch School at Gilmore Place was my secondary school from 1948-1951. It was a good school with good teachers:

- Miss Rosie

- Mr Burroughs

- Mr Ainslie.

I was in 3TCM ** when I left.

** I asked Margaret the meaning of 3TCM. She explained that it stood for 3rd Year, Technical & Commercial Class, Term beginning March.

Lunchtimes

Happy lunchtimes - we shot off to Dominic's chippy. Us girls all had such a crush on Dominic. We would buy fourpence worth of fritters, and we'd club the rest of our dinner money together and buy five Turf cigs which we thought at that time made us look cool.

What were we thinking about? - a greasy bag of fritters and a fag. Cool, I think not!

Margaret Cooper, Colindale, North London, England:
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, August 1, 2011

Recollections

14.

Angela Downie (nee Lancashire)

West Mains, Edinburgh

Thank you to Angela Downie, West Mains, Edinburgh for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Angela wrote:

School Friends

"I was at Darroch from Feb 1959 until Mar 1962.

I'd like to hear from classmates in classes 1CMA and 1CMB, or any other old friends who remember me:

- Wilma Morrison

- Linda Blair

- Pat Martin

I have been searching for Ethel Davie from Rankin Drive for over 30 years. Where are you Ethel?"

Reunions

"I have organized four reunions since 1986. The next one will be in Spring 2012."

Angela Downie (nee Lancashire), West Mains, Edinburgh:
Message and email address posted in EdinPhoto guest book, August 29, 2011

Recollections

15.

Billy Stewart

Thank you to Billy Stewart for posting a reply in the EdinPhoto guest book to Angela's comments in 14 above.

Billy wrote:

School Friends

Reply

Thank you to Billy Stewart for posting a reply in the EdinPhoto guest book.

Billy wrote:

"I don't remember you, Angela, but Wilma Morrison and Linda Blair were in in my class at Sciennes. Marshall Flockhart, Eric Brown, Grant Roberts and Stuart Baker were also in my class. They all lived around the same area. Do you remember any of them? I used to like to think Wilma was my girlfriend."

Billy Stewart: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook August 29, 2011

Recollections

16.

John Gillespie

Tollcross, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Gillespie for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

John wrote:

Teachers

"I attended Darroch school from 1951 to 1954. I really enjoyed that school. Neil Connery was in the same class."

- Our class teacher then was Mr Inglis. He also taught English, Geography and History. He always dressed smartly and had a fantastic teaching manner. Our class, '1 TCDM', had to go to Bruntsfield for his lessons. Other lessons were held a Darroch.

- Mr Boxer taught PT

- Mr Burns taught Metalwork

- Mr Hall taught Music."

John Gillespie, Tollcross, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, February 10, 2012

Recollections

17.

Rosie Small

Edinburgh

Thank you to Rosie Small for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Rosie wrote:

The Gibson Family

"I'm looking for the Gibson family, who lived at 9 Polwarth Crescent and attended Darroch school.

There were Patricia (Pat ) and Victor. They emigrated to Canada around 1967. Can anyone help me to find them?

Rosie Small, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, May 19, 2012

Reply to Rosie?

IF you'd like to send a reply to Rosie Colin Sharp, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass you her email address, if I have it. If I don't have her email address, I'll pass you the email address of Colin Sharp who emailed me today asking the same question as Rosie asked about the Gibson family.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, May 19, 2012