Recollections

Alex McEwan

Australia

Thank you to Alex McEwan for leaving a message in the gust book.

Alex wrote:

Family

"From about 1942 until about 1955, I lived in what we called the 'pend' right next to Davie's Cafe, which is now the kids farm in Gorgie Road.

My brother and I were brought up by my mother because my father left us when I was 2. But my brother and I turned out OK. I also have twin half-sisters, somewhere in Edinburgh.

I've lived in Oz for the past 38yrs."

Laundry

"I went to Dalry School, then to Tynecastle School. (Happy memories.)

I remember the laundry, right opposite Tynecastle school. My mate, Norman, and I used to make a few bob putting the ladies washing tubs on a old pram we had and taking them up McLeod Street."

Beer

"We used to get into the Hearts ground after the matches and pinch the beer bottles. We got, I think, either a penny or tuppence back on them from the Greentree Pub, but once we got chased by these two huge dogs and just made it to the fence."

Fish & Chips

"The best fish and chips were in Wardlaw Place. It was always packed."

Biscuits and Rolls

"We used to get the broken biscuits and day-old rolls."

Tivoli Cinema

"I used to like visiting the blacksmith's shop, just round the corner from the Tivoli Cinema.

Does anyone remember getting into the Saturday serials? I think we paid thrupence and a couple of jam jars. Glass was scarce after the war.

And how many of you paid for one, then opened the side door for your mates, and sometimes got caught? Them were the days!"

Football

"We used to play football nearly all day in Ballgreen Park."

Asa Wass

"Reading some of these posts, Asa Wass's yard was a popular place. He was a very nice man. You never haggled. He said his price and that was it, but he would give regular customers a wee bit more."

Dance Halls

"Our dance halls were the Palais, the Lugarno* and the Cavendish at Tollcross. I never set foot in Fairleys."

* See also 'Recollections 4 and 5, below.

Work

"I used to work in the tannery, and at Ingles Green Laundry, and at the rubber mill.

I used to be a conductor on the buses, as well. My father came on my bus and thought he was going to get a free ride but I charged him the shilling for his fare."

Return to Edinburgh

"We've been back to Edinburgh a few times and we've seen all the changes."

Alex McEwan: Message in Edinphoto Guest Book: June 4, 2008

Recollections

Janet Porteous

(nee Janet Horne Cleland Eagle)

Northern England

Thank you to Janet Porteous for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guest book.

Janet also sent a reply from her mother's to Alex McEwan's recollections of living in Gorgie (1 above):

Janet Porteous' mother wrote, to Alex McEwan:

The Pend

"I lived in Wheatfield Road, Gorgie. I know the 'pend' that you mention. My Mother's cousin lived there. Maybe you knew them. They were Adam Fraser and his wife Margaret (Peggy)."

The Tinny

"I used to use Davie's Cafe a lot when I was younger. Like you I also went to Tynecastle School and used 'The Tinny' (washhouse)."

The Green Tree

"The Green Tree pub* was certainly on the corner of McLeod Street. Then, we would get our chips at Wardlaw Place.

* No. See 'Recollections 14' below

Entertainment

I used to go to the Lucano* in Slateford Rd. I also remember Dalhaigs where the tannery used to be. The Tivoli was very popular as was the Poole's Roxy cinema and the Lyceum.

* See also 'Recollections 4 and 5, below.

Sadly, the Roxy is now a shop and some flats and the Lyceum, and Lucano are now gone. The Tivoli is just a shell now and the Palais de Dance now, like a lot of cinemas now, has become a Bingo Hall! ** "

** The Bingo Hall in the old Palais de Dance building at Fountainbridge has now also closed. Many new developments are being built around it. A new Bingo Hall, Cinema and Bowling Alley opened a few years ago at Fountain Park, about half a mile to the west of the Palais. - November 15, 2008

Move from Edinburgh

"I no longer live in Edinburgh. We moved to Northern England 40+ years ago, but I still miss it. I love to get up as often as I can to see the changes in my city - some good and some, well, not so good!"

Janet Porteous, Nee Janet Horne Cleland Eagle
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, November 4, 2008

** The Bingo Hall in the old Palais de Dance building at Fountainbridge has now also closed, and a lot of new developments are being built around it.

A new Bingo Hall, Cinema and Bowling Alley opened a few years ago at Fountain Park, about half a mile to the west of the Palais.

Recollections

Alex McEwan

Australia

Thank you to Alex McEwan who for posting replies to a message from Janet Porteous in the EdinPhoto guest book. Alex believes that Janet may not have found his replies in the guest book

I've included details from Alex's replies below, and hope that Janet might find them here. Unfortunately, I don't know Janet's email address so I'm not able to contact her.

Alex wrote:

Message for Janet Porteous

"I think i may have got the Christian Name wrong for the lady I was referring to. I think she was called Jean Fraser. She lived 2 doors along from us. I can only remember one family of Frasers.

If you'd like me to tell you more stories, let me know and I'll gladly tell you them. They are quite amusing."

Messages posted in EdinPhoto guest book
by Alex McEwan, Northern England, November 18+22, 2008

Janet

If you'd like to contact Alex, please email me, then I'll give you his contact details.

- Peter Stubbs: December 1, 2008

Recollections

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith who wrote about the name of the dance hall in Slateford Road, described as 'The Lugarno' (in 1 above) and as 'The Lucano' (in 2 above).

George wrote:

'The Locarno'

"I'm sure that the dance hall in Slateford Road was called 'The Locarno'. It was built above a garage and a terrace of shops, the most westward of which was a chip shop.

The street frontage was of a glossy black glass-like material. I think, too, that there was a pool hall in the upper premises.

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: February 5, 2009

Recollections

Robert Brotherston

Forster, New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to Robert Brotherston for sending the comments below, after reading the messages from Alex McEwan (in recollections 1 and 3 above)

Robert wrote:

Newton Street

"I was born in Gorgie in January 1930. I lived in Newton Street for 25 years as a child, and went to Dalry school.

Whenwhen i was 9 years old, war started and I was evacuated to Linlithgow. The war finished when I was 14, and I returned home to Newton Street."

HC Hutchison's Garage

"I went to work for HC Hutchison's garage at Ardmillan, and had to wait until I was 16 before starting an apprenticeship. I started in the Spare Parts Dept, then moved up to serving petrol. I used to get a few tips."

The Tivoli

"The best tip I was getting was from Mr Robertson. He was the Manager of the Tivoli and the Dominion cinemas. He used to give me a pass to the Tivoli. The Saturday Matinee was very good. I was a member of the Mickey Mouse Club. Sometimes, Tommy Walker gave us a talk. Hee was very popular."

Pubs and Steamie

"On the opposite side of the street, there was a gents' toilet where the kids' farm is now. Thirty yards along was the Green Tree pub.

The Tynecastle Arms was at the corner of McLeod Street and down Mc Leod Street was the steamie (wash house, laundry)."

The Locarno

"The Locarno was a dance hall and a pool room. My wife, Jean's grandad laid the dance floor. Below, was a garage. I was the Foreman Mechanic there for 13yrs. It was owned by Martin's the Bakers."

Move to Australia

"I left Gorgie in 1976 and moved to Australia. Two years later, Martins ceased to operate."

Robert Brotherston, Forster, New South Wales, Australia: February 17, 2009

Recollections

Robert Brotherston

Forster, New South Wales, Australia

Robert Brotherston added:

Ice Cream Shop

"Opposite Newton Street was an ice cream shop, owned by Dina. Most Sunday nights, I would go there for hot peas and vinegar, a real treat."

Chip Shop

"A couple of shops along was the chippie, run by Jimmy Haliburton. My favourite was a white pudding supper."

Sweetie Shops

"Another haunt was the sweetie shop, owned by Jennie Halliday. I also got my comics there. You could always swop them when you had read them.

Another sweetie shop doon the road made home made table ."

Dairy

"The dairy was owned by Andrew Cruickshank. On a Sunday morning, I would get my well-fired rolls and bran scones there."

Butcher Shop

"Leadbetter had the butcher shop. My fav. was potted heid.

Memories

"This was all of 60+ years ago, all very good memories which I am happy to share."

Robert Brotherston, Forster, New South Wales, Australia: February 19, 2009

Recollections

Alistair Rankine

Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia

Thank you to Alistair Rankine for leaving a message in the Edinphoto guest book.

Alistair wrote:

Gorgie Road

"I lived near Alex Mc Ewan of (1 above) 'The Pend'. I actually lived at 61 Gorgie Road, above the then Kirkcaldy Linoleum Shop. This tenement block no longer exists and is now Gorgie Farm.

Davie's Cafe was always popular. I used to have lunch there instead of 'School Dinners'.

Jenny Haliday's shop, opposite Whitepark was popular for her home-made tablet. My Mother used to work in her shop.

Before moving to 61 we lived at 144 and had a great view of Hearts home games.

The Athletic Arms (Campbells) on the corner of McLeod Street and the Gravediggers at the top of Ardmillan were my Dad's locals.

If anyone remembers me I would love to hear from them if there is a way you can get my email address from this site."

Alistair Rankine, Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia:
Message posted in Edinphoto Guest Book: February 26, 2009

Recollections

Alistair Rankine

Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia

Thank you to Alistair for writing again with more recollections of Gorgie.

Alistair wrote:

Snooker Saloons

"I remember Sandy Cook's Snooker Hall in Gorgie Road, just past Stewart Terrace, where you could learn to play on Table 4 which they called the golf course. Once you could play on that table you graduated to the better tables. It only cost 6d for half an hour, back in the early-1950s.

There was another snooker hall, called the Haymarket Saloon in Dalry Road. It was opposite Caledonian Crescent.

Also in Slateford Road was the New Carlton, which was a bit more up-market."

Dance Halls

"Westfield Halls was a popular 'Saturday night out', with Davie Mann's band. It was there that you learned to jive.

The Locarno in Slateford was also a popular place. It changed its name to Paulenas at one time, then back to Locarno.

Back Greens

"The back greens to the tenement houses in Gorgie Road from 164 to 96 were popular places to play football, rounders, cricket and a few other games.

I remember some of the lads from this area:

- No 154: Archie & Norman Currie

- No 144: Billy Sibbald & Alistair Rankine

- No 134: Raymond & Norman Tookey

- No 124: Lillian Marr & Marina Rankine

- No 116: Joyce Gorrie
Margaret Jack
Mary & Margaret Sweeney

- No 110: Dave & Kenneth Gray

We had some great times.

I wonder if any of the above remember these times."

Alistair Rankine, Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia:
Message posted in Edinphoto Guest Book: March 16, 2009

Recollections

Elizabeth Lanzon (nee Boal)

New York, USA

Elizabeth Lanzon wrote:

T&H Smith

"Does anyone remember T&H Smith, Manufacturing Chemicals Co? I believe it was on Wheatfield Road, off Gorgie.

I worked for the company from 1950 until 1957 when I left to get married. I really loved that job, great people and was treated very well by all.

I loved to go to the Palais, the Plaza up Morningside area, and occasionally to the Cavendish.

I'd love to hear comments from anybody who remembers the company."

Elizabeth Lanzon (nee Boal), New York, USA: December 3+13, 2009

Recollections

10.

Ken Smith

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Thank you to Ken Smith for replying to wrote:

T&H Smith

"In my day, we also knew the place as the 'Chemical Works'. My mother (Chrissie Smith) worked there from after the war until well into the 1960s.

She was part of the cleaning staff. She left early in the morning to walk, in all kind of weather, from Whitson to Wheatfield. She would get back home at around 10am.

I don't know if this will mean anything to Elizabeth Boal.

Ken Smith, Alberta, Canada: December 14, 2009

Hi Ken: I've sent an email to Elizabeth to let her know about your reply. - Peter Stubbs Dec 17, 2009

Recollections

11.

Ken Smith

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

and

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George Smith and to Ken Smith for sending me this poem about Gorgie:

Gorgie Poem

"O Gorgie Road when we were wee

Was sicca place for fun and glee

D’ye min’ Saughton Games oan summer nights

Levoi an tig an’ bonfire nights?

The favourite haunts for us tae meet

Was Westfield Road and Westfield Street"

George Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: Mar 27, 2010
and Ken Smith, Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Mar 28, 2010

Who wrote the Poem?

The poem has 40 lines but I have only reproduced the first six lines here. If you know who wrote the poem, please email me so that I can contact them and seek their permission to add the whole of their poem to this page.

Thank you . - Peter Stubbs: April 2, 2010

Recollections

12.

Lorna Hanna

Innerleithen, Scottish Borders, Scotland

Lorna Hanna wrote

Wardlaw Terrace

"My granny lived with her mum, three sisters and one brother in Wardlaw Terrace. My mum was born there in 1944.

I just wondered if anyone remembered my granny. She was named Janet (Jenny) Cowan, and her mum was Isabella. I'd would love to hear from anyone who can help

Lorna Hanna, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders, Scotland.
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook: April

Reply?

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

Thank you . - Peter Stubbs: April 17, 2010

Recollections

13.

George Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George Smith who wrote:

Scouting

58thTroop - Gorgie

"At the age of 12, I joined the Boy Scouts at the 42nd Troop at the Candlish Church in Colinton Road.

A year or two later I gave up its green with grey edge neckerchief and joined the nearer 58th Gorgie troop (yellow with black edging) at the now demolished church on Slateford Road opposite the Lyceum cinema."

Drills

"I studied for several proficiency badges and rose to Troop Leader . We drilled and held weekly meetings in the church hall and had other meetings in a loft, our 'den', over some former stables on a site between Mackenzie & Moncur's foundry and the brewery maltings - now flats?"

Camps

"Hikes and weekend camps at Bonaly Towers and in the Pentlands and Moorfoots in addition to 'wide games' in such as Craiglockhart Dell were among our activities. I learned useful skills like map reading and elementary surveying and camp cookery as well as social skills like self discipline and team work."

Jamboree near Paris

Learning to Dance

"In 1947 I was selected to join the Edinburgh contingent to the 'Jamboree Mondiale De La Paix' at Moissons near Paris. Prior to going, we had to learn to dance!

Taught by a redoubtable but patient lady we learned to do a passable 'pas de bas' which was to be basic to our national display at the Jamboree."

The Journey

"We gathered in a school in Infirmary Street one evening, slept fitfully there till early morning when we marched down to the Waverley to join our special train to Newhaven in Sussex, where we arrived in time for a night ferry to Boulogne."

Displays and Games

"At the Jamboree there were delegations from many countries all of whom put on some sort of display in a large central arena. The Indian delegation was celebrating Independence.

The various countries played competitive games. I played rugby against an Australian team. I think we won and I have bored people for years on the tale of how I played for Scotland against Australia. Strangely enough many years later in conversation with my elder son's father-in-law from Dundee it transpired that he too was in the same team!"

Highland Dancing

"Our display was a mass display of Highland Dancing in the form of several sets of eightsomes, four sixteensomes and one 32- some set in the centre. We marched into the arena to the 'Black Bear ' a march notable, I believe, for its pauses."

Learning French

"At the end of the jamboree some of us stayed on for a couple of weeks hosted by French families. I stayed with a war widow and her twin sons in Nevers in Burgundy and had my first encounter with good food well cooked, good wine and French girls.

My spoken French improved immeasurably and corresponding with the girls improved my written French and this proved valuable in my 'Highers' the following spring."

Journey Home

"I cannot remember the homeward journey though there was an adult Scoutmaster with us to oversee it. I think he was an antique dealer from the Lawnmarket"

Experiences

"The experiences formed a strong element in my growing up and I have been grateful for them."

George Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: August 8, 2010

Recollections

14.

James McDougall

Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Thank you to James McDougall who wrote:

The Green Tree

"I noticed that Janet Porteous (Recollectons 2 above) referred to The Green Tree as being in McLeod Street. In fact, that was the Tynecastle Arms.

The Green Tree was on the other side of Gorgie Road, just past Gorgie Farm.

The reason I know this is that I worked in the pub, just before I came out to Australia."

James McDougall, Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia: September 12, 2010

Recollections

15.

Neil Lawrence

Fountainbridge, Edinburgh

Thank you to Neil Lawrence who wrote:

Corporation Ash Depot

"Here is a photo taken at the Corporation Ash Depot. where ashes from everybody’s fires were loaded onto waiting railway wagons.

The roadways were ramped to allow carts to dump waste ash straight into open topped wagons."

Accident

"My wife’s Grandad, Robert Porteous, worked there until the 1940s. He is in this photo, holding one of his work horses with its flags and horse brasses. The photo may have been taken as part of the celebration of the end of he war in 1945.

Robert was killed after being kicked in the head by the horse in 1946. He was survived by his 5 children and beloved wife Alison Melville Porteous who died in 1994. My wife shares her name."

The Photo

"This land was later used as a Police Box Dump, and is now 'Gorgie City Farm'. The cottages in the foreground are demolished now. I remember playing in their ruins in the 1970s.

The tenements in the background are the current tenements in Newton Street, just off Gorgie Road."

Neil Lawrence, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh: October 13, 2010

Thank you to Neil Lawrence for telling me about when he used to play on this site in 1976/77. At that time, the site was a 'Police Box Dump'

Recollections

16.

Ken Smith

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Thank you to Ken Smith who wrote:

The Site of Gorgie Ash Depot

"When I grew up in Edinburgh (1930 to 1948) the lane in this Google Earth view was used to enter the ash depot. My aunt lived on the top floor in the tenement to the left.

The building to the right with the red door was a men's' urinal, with an attendant who kept it clean. It was a very busy spot after a football game at Tynecastle and when the many pubs closed!"

Ken Smith, Calgary, Alberta, Canada: October 18, 2010

Recollections

17.

Neil Lawrence

Fountainbridge, Edinburgh

Thank you to Neil Lawrence for writing again with more details about this photo.

Neil added:

Corporation Ash Depot

Now Gorgie Farm

"The houses in the foreground of the picture, just behind the horse and cart are in Tynecastle Lane.

I checked this on the old maps. They must have been there for a while as they were on the 1876 OS map. They are named as Tynecastle Lane on the on the 1895 OS map."

Neil Lawrence, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh: November 2, 2010

Recollections

18.

David Wood

Newmarket, Suffolk, England

Thank you to David Wood who wrote

Cattle Market

"I grew up in a house at Hutchison Terrace, and I have many happy memories of playing in and around Gorgie cattle market and its associated station(s) which were little used by the 1950's."

Stations

"One station, Gorgie West (I presume), was regularly used to unload Chipperfield Circus trains and, occasionally, for troop movements from Redford Barracks.

This station had two sidings adjacent to St Cuthbert's Laundry, which had some curious features. The 'platform' was set at the height of the wagon roofs while the buffer end of the tracks was hidden from the road (Chesser Avenue) by a carefully constructed corrugated iron screen.

I have not been able to think of any good reasons for these features - if anyone can shed light on them I would be very interested."

David Wood, Newmarket, Suffolk, England: December 30, 2010

Reply to David?

If you can think of any reason for the station features that David mentions, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to him. Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: December 30, 2010

Recollections

19.

Douglas William Garry

Hutchison, Edinburgh

Thank you to Douglas Garry who wrote:

Gorgie Farm

"I lived from the day I was born in 1948 until 1960 in 61 Gorgie Road, then we moved out to Saughton Mains.

I played with my friends in the areas that are now Gorgie Farm. Names I remember are:

- David Slater

- Norman Thomson

- Bobby & Jennifer Darling

- George Bremner

- Tommy Williamson

- Ian Hardy.

- Tommy Thomson"

Civil Defence

"I remember the area being used by the Civil Defence, and the empty cottages in Tynecastle Lane being restructured for the civil defence training though I don't recall seeing anyone there.

In the very last (top) cottage was an old lady who was the last to leave."

Douglas William Garry, Hutchison, Edinburgh: January 23, 2011

School Photo

Douglas also sent me this photograph of his class at Dalry Primary School:

Douglas says he would be interested to make contact with any of the pupils.

Recollections

20.

Ian Harding

Gorgie, Edinburgh

Thank you to Ian Harding who wrote:

Granny's House

"Thanks to the EdinPhoto web site, I have been able to link up with both an inter-family and personal friend from my old days, which we all spent together when visiting my Granny's house at 61 Gorgie Road (circa 1939-58)."

The Dungies

"Sadly, the area is now known as the Gorgie Farm but, as youngsters, we enjoyed utilising it and exploring it, when it was regarded as the `dungies`; an Edinburgh Council facility used for stabling the horses and carts required to uplift the daily refuse collection.

School

"My Gran was a cleaner at my old school, Tynecastle, for 37 years."

Memories

"My memories of Gorgie and Tynecastle are immense. I've been reading through some of the other memories submitted, and remember the people from when they were babies or were running errands for thier parents. (lol).

Ian Harding, Gorgie, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, April 15, 2011

Recollections

21.

Douglas William Garry

Hutchison, Edinburgh

Thank you to Douglas Garry who wrote about the time when he used to live at 61 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh.

Douglas wrote

Chocolate Delivery

"My Granny (nee Davidson) Garry & Grandad lived all of their married lives in Stewart Terrace. I well remember going to the terrace to play with my cousin Ted Garry and ended up (on a Wednesday as I recall) grabbing mugs.

This was an afternoon that the tanker brought the hot liquid chocolate to the McVitie factory. The intake valve from the tanker was in a window, half way down the street.

All the kids grabbed a container/s and assembled around the driver of the tanker. when he had delivered the factory chocolate he disconnected the intake pipe from the tanker. The remaining chocolate from the hose was poured into the awaiting mugs and cups of all sorts.

The driver did this with fun and relish knowing that he had given all us kids such a pleasure. Who ever he was, thank you very much for being a great human being."

Douglas William Garry, Hutchison, Edinburgh:
1. email about Gorgie received January 23, 2011
2. message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, August 14, 2011

Recollections

22.

Thomas Smith

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Thank you to Thomas Smith who wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

"I was born at No. 6 Gorgie Cottages in 1954. My grandparents lived there:

- My Grandfather Charlie Smith was an S.P. (Starting Price) Bookie at the Wheatsheaf Pub, which I believe is no longer there anymore.

- My Grandmother lived at the cottages until 1970. She passed away there at the age of 93.

- I have two older sisters, Ina and Agnes. They used to play with another Smith Family who, I believe, started the Smith's Crisps Company."

Looking for Photos

"I'd like to find some old photos of Gorgie Cottages. I know we had some during the Coronation of the Queen, as we were a very tight knit family. if you could email any photo's it would be greatly appreciated."

Looking for People

"I'd like to hear from anyone who lived in that area and remembers my family - including Jemima, the very nice lady who ran the shop in front of our cottages and her family."

Thomas Charles Smith, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia: September 27, 2011

Reply to Thomas?

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

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: September 28, 2011

Recollections

23.

Raymond Porteous

Raymond Porteous wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

"My Grandma & Grandad lived in Gorgie Cottages. I don't know which number they lived at. They left to go to Saughton Mains but I'm not sure when that was.

My Grandparents were John & Margaret (Peggy) Menzies. They had 3 children, Mary, Margaret (my Mum, born 1939) & Ian. My Mum and Uncle Ian are still alive & well but sadly Grandma, Grandad & Auntie Mary have long since died."

Raymond Porteous, September 28, 2011

Please see also: 'Reply 1' below

Recollections

24.

June Falconer

Old Town, Edinburgh

June Falconer wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

"My grandparents, David and Margaret Gray, stayed in Gorgie Cottages and I am not sure where they were. I assume it is what is now called Stenhouse Road.

My grandfather, owned the blacksmiths along Gorgie Road, opposite the entrance to Saughton Park in the early 1900s.

Any furtherinformation that you can give me would be greatly appreciated."

June Falconer, Old Town, Edinburgh: October 28, 2011

Please see also: 'Reply 1' below

Recollections

24.

Reply

Peter Stubbs

Edinburgh

Old Gorgie

Reply 23 above also refers to Gorgie Cottage and mentions a book where a photo of them can be found: - 'Old Gorgie' by Malcolm Cant ISBN 1 84033 212 3

This book has many interesting old views of Gorgie with captions accompanying them.

Below is the caption in this book that accompanies the photograph of Gorgie Crescent on page 42. Malcolm does not specifically refer to these houses as being Gorgie Cottages, but I assume from John Dickson's comments above that's what they were.

Gorgie Crescent

"In 1904 these very distinctive houses with projecting windows and outside stairs formed part of Gorgie Crescent, which lay between Alexander Drive and Westfield Road ***

Originally, the crescent was reached directly from Gorgie Road but that entrance was blocked off by the construction of the flats and shops (with the projecting balconies) which were built on Gorgie Road in 1925.

Many of the occupants of Gorgie Crescent worked nearby at Cox's glue works."

Malcolm Cant 'Old Gorgie', P.42

*** i.e. on the north side of Gorgie Road, about 1/2 mile to the east of Saughton Park.

Recollections

24.

Reply

John Dickson

Royston, Edinburgh

Gorgie Cottage

Thank you to John Dickson for giving me the exact location of Gorgie Cottages. They are, in fact, the houses in Gorgie Crescent described in Malcolm Cant's book in Reply 1 above.

Gorgie Cottages were situated immediately to the SE of the Gorgie Mills' Bowling Green which lay to the north of Gorgie Road and to the west of Westfield Road.

Acknowledgement: John Dickson, Royston, Edinburgh: November 5, 2011

Note: Gorgie Cottages are shown on the Godfrey Reproduction edition of a large scale OS Map of the area, but I am not able to add that to the EdinPhoto web site for copyright reasons.

Recollections

24.

Reply

Douglas William Garry

Saughton Mains, Edinburgh

Thank you to Douglas W Garry who wrote:

Our Home

"When My wife and I married in 1971, our first home was No.2 Gorgie Cottages. The rent was £1.10/- (£1.50p) per week and the lady in the sweetie shop next door took the rent money for you."

Our Home

"In July 1973 we were given notice by the EH Council that the cottages were to be demolished, and we were to be given a new Council home.

I took this photo on a Brownie 127 Camera in 1974 as they were tearing the cottages down down."

Location

"They replaced the cottages with new flats that are now called 'Coxfield'.

The are named after the glue works there, which may have have owned the site."

Douglas W Garry, Saughton Mains, Edinburgh: January 24, 2012

Recollections

25.

Lilian Young

Hamilton Square, New Jersey, USA

Thank you to Lilian Young who wrote:

T & H Smith

"My first job, in 1953, was with T & H Smith Company on Wheatfield Road. I worked with Moira and Mary in their Accounting Department under the supervision of Irene Hewitt. In our bookkeeping we used National Cash Register machines rather than books and felt that we were so far advanced.

Irene, who was older than her staff members, had a lovely boyfriend named Magnus and they took all of the young office girls to the Plaza dance Hall which was located near the Dominion Cinema. They watched over us and saw that we all got home safely.

While I was working there a story went around that a fire had taken place in one of the labs and that a technician had been badly burned. Fortunately the fire was put out quickly, but we heard that whatever was in the plant was enough to blow Gorgie off the map - a scary thought for the younger workers."

Sweep

"Also, we had friends, Sid and Nan Stanley and their son, Edmund who lived at 223 Gorgie Road. Sid was a chimney sweep, and on Saturdays, along with working as a sweep, he had a large calling for his presence at weddings.

Apparently to have a sweep at your wedding was considered good luck, so Sid would arrive, covered in soot and wearing the obligatory top hat to wish the happy couple good luck."

Lilian Young, Hamilton Square, New Jersey, USA: August 13, 2009

Recollections

26.

Douglas William Garry

Hutchison, Edinburgh

Exactly a year after sending his recollections of Gorgie to the EdinPhoto web site, Douglas Garry posted this message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

1948 to 1960

"I lived on the 2nd Floor of 61 Gorgie Road Edinburgh from 1948 until 1960. I knew of Alistair Rankine but he was older than I was and at that time that was a big difference.

I knew:

- Tommy Thomson from the other side of the Gorgie Road and his family.

- Jennie & Bobby Darling.

- Billy & Alan Wright, Springwell House Lodge.

- Davie Slater.

- George Brennen.

- and many others from Gorgie and Dalry schools."

Douglas William Garry, Hutchison, Edinburgh:

Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook January 23, 2012

Recollections

27.

Douglas William Garry

Hutchison, Edinburgh

Thank you to Douglas William Garry for sending me this photo of himself with his cousin, Edward Garry and sister, Margaret. This photo was taken on Coronation Day, 1953.

Tom, Douglas and Margaret Garry

Going to a Coronation Party, 1953

Douglas wrote:

Wardlaw Street

"This photo was taken at the top of Wardlaw Street, Gorgie, in 1953 when we were attending a Coronation Party.

Note that there are no cars in this picture!"

Douglas William Garry, Hutchison, Edinburgh: January 23, 2012

Recollections

28.

Alistair Rankine

Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia

Thank you to Alistair Rankine for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Alistair wrote:

Walking

"It is interesting to read all the stories about children being away all day, mothers not knowing where we were.

I remember we used to collect cigarette packets. On a Sunday, when I was about 11or 12, I walked from Gorgie Rd along the following route collecting packets on the way - Dalry Road, Haymarket, Princes Street, Leith Street, Leith Walk, Great Junction Street to Newhaven then to Granton, then got the No. 2 tram back to Gorgie.

I was gone all day. My mother had no idea where I'd been. Great Days. Kids couldn't do that now."

Alistair Rankine, Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, February 20, 2012

Walking

The two people who replied so far to Alistair's comments in the Guestbook, June Robertson and Nan Scott both recalled the long walks that they used to have as children, their not worrying about where they might be, provided they were back in time for their meal.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: February 21, 2012

Recollections

29.

Alex Smith

Spain

Thank you to Alex Smith for replying to several of the comments above on this page.

Ales wrote:

Reply to 1. above

Dalry School

"Alex McEwan wrote 'Recollections 1' above. I think that his brother may have been called Tom. If that's correct, we were in the same class at Dalry Road Primary School."

Money-Making Schemes

"I shared his money-making schemes of helping the ladies with their washing loads from the ‘steamie’ to the bus stops on Gorgie Road, and taking the after-match beer bottles back to the pubs. I took mine to the Tynecastle Arms (or Campbell’s as it was known locally) but had to stash them away until the Monday as Campbell’s was too busy on a Saturday night to take them."

Asa Wass

"We were in celebrated company using Asa Wass’ rag and bone yard. Sean Connery, in his book ‘Being a Scot’ records that he too took old clothes there."

Reply to 6. above

Diary

"The diary that Robert Brotherston refers to was owned by Andrew Fairgreave. I delivered milk for him 6 mornings a week, for a couple of years.

I earned 8/- a week for six mornings' work."

Reply to 8. above

Neighbours

"Alastair Rankine wrote about some of the people who lived In Gorgie Road. Here are a few more:

- No. 124: This was also home to the Wilson’s, Charlie and Ronnie. They had triplet sisters who became a pop group and did quite well. I remember seeing them perform in a club in Manchester in the late-1970s or early-1980s.

- No. 116: Joyce Gorrie had a younger brother called Charlie.

- No. 110: This was also home to John Hall whose mother was either widowed or divorced. She married Colin Campbell, similarly unattached, who lived opposite at No. 109, giving John a half-brother Colin Jr.

- No. 106: Robin, Ada and Alex Smith (writer) lived here. So, also did:

- Joy Preston

- Donald Catley

- Margaret & Betty MacDonald

- Alan Whitson."

Street Bookie

"Does anyone remember the gate alongside 109 that gave access to a garage occupied by a coach firm, MacKay’s, I think. It also frequently gave home to Jocky McClelland the (illegal) street bookie, long before the days of betting shops."

Police

"I got married and left Gorgie in 1961. I later joined the police and had 5 years in the Leith Division, happily arresting Hibs supporters, before discovering that I could transfer to the Manchester area and get even more pleasure being paid to arrest Englishmen (lol). I now live happily in retirement in Spain."

Alex Smith: Spain: April 6, 2012

Recollections

30.

Anne Wood

Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland

Thank you to Anne Wood for replying to Thomas Smith's comments in Recollections 22 above.

Anne apologises for not remembering Thomas or his family, who lived at No.6 Gorgie Cottages, but says she hopes that the photo below will remind him of the shop, as it never changed!

Please click on the thumbnail image of the shop below to enlarge it.

Anne wrote:

Gorgie Cottages

Jemima's Shop

"Jemima was my great aunt. She had the shop at No.3 Gorgie Cottages. I used to stay there at weekends when I was growing up and always had jobs to do, stocking the shelves and using the empty boxes to weigh out a 'forpit' of tatties ready to sell the next day.

Golden Wonder Crisps cost 3d and a half loaf cost 1/3d. Jemima lived in the shop until the it was pulled down.

My parents, Jim and Margaret Wood, lived at No.2 Gorgie cottages from 1949 until 1955. My dad used to go to the Cash & Carry for Jemi, or Auntie Mi as I called her.

Photo of the Shop

The shop had previously been owned by my Grandmother, Anne Wood. Here is a photo of the shop."

"The woman on the left in this photo was my grandmother, Anne Wood, the child in the pram was Thomas, her son, my uncle. I'm, not sure who the other woman was, Jean, I think My uncle was born in 1913 so this picture may have been taken in 1914 or 1915."

Neighbours

"I remember :

- Mr & Mrs Lawrie. They had a daughter, Sheila. I think their son was Alex

- Mrs Greig. She had a son Jim,

- Mrs Gibb and son Peter.

- Mrs Piercy,

- Miss Lawrie.

Anne Wood, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland: April 25, 2012