Edinburgh History - Old Town

Recollections

Kathleen O'Donnell

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Thank you to Kathleen O'Donnell who wrote:

Schools

"I was raised in Chessel's Court, 240 Canongate and went to St. Ann's and St Pat's schools from 1948 to 1956, then St. Thomas' at Lauriston.

I've managed to see old friends from school:

- Catherine Baker, from Arthur Street (best friend)

- Marlene Davis

- June Valente, now in New Zealand

- Jim DiMambro

- James O'Day.

I'm still in touch with the girls from St Thomas's and meet when I go home.

I have a brother Danny O'Donnell born 1939 who went to St Mary's York Lane, then St. Pat's then St Anthony's"

Question

Photos of Chessel's Court

"Does anyone know where I can get an old photo of Chessel's Court, 1943-1953? I lived in the tenement that is painted red.

Thanks again for the memories.

Kathleen O'Donnell, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book: January 14, 2008

Recollections

Tony Ivanov

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Thank you to Tony who replied to Kathleen's comments above.

Tony wrote:

Schools

"Kathleen obviously lived at Chessel's Court during the period that I lived at No 8. If my memory serves me right, I think the red building was No 6, Kathleen will correct me if I'm wrong.

Kathleen may remember an elderly lady living on the first floor of her building in the fifties by the name of Mrs Lawson. I used to run errands for Mrs Lawson, mainly to the local shops in the Canongate."

Tony Ivanov, Bo'ness, West Lothian, Scotland: January 15, 2009

Messages for

Kathleen O'Donnell

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Contacting Kathleen O'Donnell

Hi Kathleen. I now know of two people who would like top get in touch with you again:

- Tony Ivanov, who lived at Chessel's Court, and wrote Recollections 2 (above).

- Pat Foy (nee McGachie) who lived beside you at Chessel's Court, and last saw you a few years ago.

email Address

Unfortunately, the only message that I have from you came to me via the EdinPhoto guest book, so I don't know your email address.

However, if you can email me, I'll pas on your email address to Tony and Pat.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: February 23, 2009

Recollections

John Childs

(Haggis)

Whakatane, New Zealand

Thank you to John Childs who wrote of the time when he lived in Chessel's Court. John wrote:

1985-88

"Chessel's Court is a great place to have lived.

- I lived in the main building at Chessel's Court for just over 3 years, 1985-88.

- I lived in the top house, 4/4 Chessel's Court . My room looked over Salisbury Crags.

- At the end of my time at Chessel's Court, I lived on the 2nd floor of the 'Red Building."

John Childs (Haggis), Whakatane, New Zealand: August 5, 2010

Recollections

John Childs

(Haggis)

Whakatane, New Zealand

Thank you to John Childs who wrote:

1.30am

"One night, I was lying in my bed night when, at about 1.30am, I heard my landlady's dog growling and scratching at my door to get in. At that same moment something or someone came through the wall beside my bed and started to climb over me.

I could feel it pushing down on the blankets as it climbed over me. This went on for about three minutes, with the dog growling at the door all the time. It was pitch dark. I just froze and couldn't move.

As soon as it got to the other side of my bed and climbed off me, the dog stopped growling and went back to her bed.

I waited a few moments then got up, turned the light on and looked about out the room and out the window, but there was nothing to be found."

History of the House

"A short time later a gentleman from the floor below mentioned how things have changed at Chessel's Court.

I asked him what he meant and he said that my bathroom used to be where the kitchen was and the kitchen where the bathroom was, and that the door to my bedroom used to be at the end where my bed is now. That gave me the answer as to why whoever it was came through the wall where they did."

Ghosts

"People in the court have said that there were ghosts about the place, but in all the years I lived there this was the only encounter I have had. You'll have to take it from me that what I tell you is the truth. I'm not into made up stories and stuff like that, just the facts."

John Childs (Haggis), Whakatane, New Zealand: August 14, 2010