City Centre

I was born in Maryfield  Hospital in 1950 and lived  in Buchanan Street until we got moved to Douglas in 1953. I went to St Vincent school until age 7 when a new school St Pius was built opposite my house  in Balmerino Road. I used to love going to the baths on Saturday morning one week and the Gaumont on another, I used to love going through the Arcade under the  Caird Hall and see the roast chicken turning on the spit. It made me feel really hungry.

My memories of staying in the beautiful city and delightful Broughty Ferry now need a kick start....
 
Stayed at Tayview Guest House, believed to be in St Vincent Street just around the corner from the welcoming Sliding Tackle pub (our adopted local).

Worked in Main Road adjacent to the Timex factory upgrading electricity cables and jointing, at the time of Tay Bridge construction. A gang of seven, we made several friends, among them a crowd who claimed to be known as the "Dundee Bums".
 Read more......

My grandfather Simon McIntosh was stage manager of the King's Theatre and prior to that of the Palace Theatre. I have his autograph book with some of the 'stars' like Harry Lauder and pictures of that time.

Frae Panmure Street tae Tally Street
On Sunday's efter tea
Teenagers walked backwards and forwards
Thro' the centre o' Dundee
On only ae side o' the street - in procession
Headin' for a musical 'session' Read more......

Wha remembers the City Arcade
Underneath Caird Hall
Buyin' onythin' frae a half-loaf
Tae a bouncing rubber ball Read more......

I remember the royal arch in the early 1960s nobody in Dundee at that time liked it. It was like most buildings in the town centre covered with black soot generated by the smoke from all the mills and domestic fires in the town centre. This was before the clean air act was applied in Scotland. It was covered in black soot which was  contrasted with the white bird droppings deposited on it. Dundonians were happy to see it go.

 

Empty shell
Broken frame
Crumbling
Listen to the concrete grumbling Read more......

I remember the Empress Ballroom beside the Royal Arch. It was called recory roundabout. I went with my friends and we were still at school as we were aged 14. We paid 1/6 admission and we loved every moment of it.

Deserted natural habitats
Abandoned sea shores
Where have all the gulls gone?
Flying to fast-food stores! Read more......

Citizens are partying today
Chasing clouds away
Singing with Dundee
It’s The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Read more......