Edinburgh History - Old Town - Recollections

Recollections

James A Rafferty

Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Thank you to James A Rafferty for sending me his memories around the Old Town.

James wrote:

Bobby from the Wash House

"Catherine McKinsley asks if anybody remembers Bobby from the High Street wash House. See Dumbiedykes 25 ('At Play').

I remember him. We used to call him 'Wascal' because he had a speech impediment and couldn't pronounce his "r'"s. Any time we were making a nuisance of ourselves, he would shout: 'I'll get you wee wascals'."

Grassmarket Mission

"We went to the Grassmarket Mission and also to Carrubber's Close Band of Hope in the High Street.

They had good Christmas Parties

The Superintendant at that time was a Mr White who stayed near to Jeannie Deans pub at Saint Leonard's."

Lantern Show

"I remember, one night, going down to Tron Square and watching an open air lantern show. The subject was the demon drink as it usually was on a Tuesday night in the hall. The songs we used to sing were:

'Deep and Wide'

complete with hand gestures and that old favourite,

'My Cup's Full and Running Over'."

Grassmarket Mission

"I also grew up in the High Street at No 233, next to Sloans the furniture shop."

Lyndsay Montgomery, Old Town, Edinburgh: July 24, 2008

Recollections

Eric Gold

East London

Thank you to Eric Gold for following up James Rafferty's comments about Bobby from the Wash House.

Eric wrote:

Bobby from the High Street Wash House

"Everyone, including myself, knew Bobby from the Wash House. He would were a black overcoat and have a wee pram and would give my mum and other mums too, a lift home from the wash house back to their houses. The mums would treat Bobby with a couple of pennies as money was very tight in those days.

My Auntie Nancy who lived in the Waverley Buildings was the Queen Bee of the washhouse in the High Street were Bobby would be, and if anyone man or women took the Mickey out of Bobby she would give them a bit of her tongue and a right hander too (ha ha ha ha). She was tough, my auntie Nancy was. She was a character, and was no Miss Mouse either (ha ha ha ha ha).

I can still remember Bobby to this very day and you would always see him in the Cowgate near St Patricks Church if he didn't had a pram full of washing."

Simon Square Wash House

"In later years my mum and the other women from Arthur Street would use the wash house in Simon Square as it was nearer."

Eric Gold, East London: August 1, 2008

Recollections

Donald Grant

Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland

Thank you to Donald Grant who wrote:

The Tryst

"Another foray through your site brings back more memories and your readers can maybe fill a gap in mine.

As a boy in the 1960s I can remember going to premises in the High Street near the City Chambers. I can't remember if it was actually a club, or a cafe with a space for performers but I think it was called The Tryst. It certainly can't have been licensed, otherwise I wouldn't have been allowed in.

The star attraction was a folk group known as 'The Corrie Folk Trio plus One', also known as 'The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell' (she was the plus one).

Paddie was always principally a solo performer though. Eventually, she pursued her own career and so it became simply The Corrie Folk Trio.

At that time, the Corries were still in full time employment. One of my elder sisters became quite friendly with them and used to baby sit for one of them at his flat (in Henderson Row if I recall correctly). He was a teacher.

Eventually of course, as everyone who remembers them from their early days knows, Bill Smith left the group leaving just Ronnie Browne and Roy Williamson who became The Corries and went on to considerable fame.

Can anyone remember seeing the group play in the High Street, and was it The Tryst? I do remember waiting in a long queue in the High Street to get in, so even then they had quite a following.

Donald Grant, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland: August 1, 2008

Recollections

Eleanor MacIntyre

Portobello, Edinburgh

Eleanor MacIntyre asked this question, before reading the comments from James A Rafferty (1 above) and Eric Gold (2 above).

Perhaps somebody can provide more information.

Eleanor wrote:

Waskles

"Can anyone remember of a chap called Waskles?

This is a child’s memory that I am quoting. He believes that Waskles lived with a Mrs Macintyre at Arthur Street.

Can anyone tell me anything more about him?"

Donald Grant, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland: August 1, 2008