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

UPDATE

Thank you to Anne Wilson for replying to the final paragraph of Donald Grant's notes above.

Anne wrote

The Howff

"I think the place where the Corries played was probably called 'The Howff '. (I'm not sure of the spelling: it may have been 'The Houff'. Does that trigger any bells?

Anne Wilson, Edinburgh: October 5, 2009

UPDATE 2

Thank you to Jim Cairns who wrote:

The Trist

"I was interested to read the comments above, about 'The Howff' in the High Street. But I think that the place where the Corries performed was called The Tryst.

I remember it well, especially The Corries and Paddie Bell. It cost two shillings (10p) for entry on the nights that they were performing, and that fee got you a bottle of Coke! Real value for money.

My wife and I were there the first night that Roy Williamson played his mandolin in public. The Corries were a real revelation, and Paddie Bell's pure, clear voice was a delight. It's sad that Roy and Paddy are no longer with us."

The Howff

" 'The Howff' was owned by a Mr Buchan, who had previously run the aptly-named 'Rest and be Thankful' cafe at the top of Ramsay Lane."

Jim Cairns, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland: October 7, 2009

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?"

Eleanor McIntyre, Portobello, Edinburgh: August 11, 2008

Recollections

Jean Robertson Wright

Thank you to Jean Robertson Wright who wrote:

Sweetie Shop

"My Gt Granny, Jessie Dougal, is shown on 1901 Census living at No 19 Simon Square. She was listed as a 'Small Wares Shop Woman'.

She was widowed at 26 when her husband was drowned in the Eyemouth Disaster of October 1881, and she gave birth to my granny 3 weeks later

Following the birth of my granny, Jessie left Eyemouth and moved to Edinburgh where she became a live-in cook. My granny was brought up by Jessies mother.

I'm not sure when Jessie moved out of Simon Sq. but she ended up living in the High Street and had a sweetie shop which for famous for 'Granny Dougal's Toffee'."

Jean Robertson Wright: March 8, 2010

Recollections

Eric Gold

East London, England

Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote:

John Knox House

"This photo of John Knox’s House, taken in 1960, brought back memories to me as I saw a bus a single decker at the crossroads of Jeffery Street and St. Mary’s Street were one could hop off or jump on. It's a Number 1 which took me to Easter Road to go to St. Anthony’s School by Hibs football ground entrance in Hawkhill Avenue."

Eric Gold, East London, England: October 10, 2010

Recollections

Linda Robertson

Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England

Thank you to Linda Robertson who wrote:

Great Aunt and Uncle

"My great Aunt and Uncle, Katie and Jimmy Keppie lived with Brandy the dog in Paisley Close, just next to Carrubbers Close mission and John Knox's house.

I remember going up to visit her as a child and being terrified of the dark passageways in the close.

My Great Auntie Katie was a well-known character on the high street. She lived to a rip old age and was famous for accosting workmen with her walking stick."

Royal Visit

"I vividly remember the visit of King Olaf from Norway to Edinburgh, and watching the carriage procession from their window. I also seem to recall that their daughter, my mum's cousin Margot, dropped the large Union Jack flag she was waving out the window, so apologies to anyone reading this who was standing below."

Linda Robertson, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England: July 12, 2011