Family
Memories of Dundee - Part Five
Just before the war, roundabout 1937/38, my Uncle Jack, my Dad's brother, bought a hut sited in on the 'Downs Poultry Farm' simply known as 'The Downs'' between Monifieth and Carnoustie, near Barry. There were a few other huts situated there, probably about a dozen or so. Nearby to the site was a military camp associated with a convalescence building (I think) called the Soldiers Home. We regularly spent weekends or sometimes longer at 'The Downs' as did many others from Dundee when they had a few days off. Read more......
Memories of Dundee - Part Four
I suppose one of the big things in my life was the Empire Exhibition. This was held in Glasgow in 1938, at Bellahouston Park. There was a special railway excursion to be running on the autumn holiday Monday of that year, them known as the October fast. We (my sister May and I) were taken along with Mum, Granny Gillan and Doris (my Mum's unmarried sister). It was so exciting-Glasgow! That was a long, long way away in those days and I had never been on such a long journey before. This was really something special for a seven year old like me. I remember being amazed at the fountains in the grounds and staring goggle-eyed at the sight of a red-coated Mountie just outside the Canadian pavilion, actually riding a horse. This was even better then Nelson Eddie playing the part of a Mountie and singing to Jean McDonald in the film 'Rose Marie'. That had been my only experience of these romantic figures until them - and that was in black and white! Read more......
Coronation Day
One of my first memories as a child was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 2nd not the 1st, I'm not that old. I lived in a 'single end' in Bernard Street and we had a great street party. My cousin Francis Harvey was dressed up to be the young Prince Charles. I was only 3 at that time, but I still think of it with fondness. Later that year we moved to a new house in what I thought was the countryside because it seemed so far away and there was a farmer by the name of Sherrit who lived up the road. Read more......
Forever in my Heart
Born 1928. Living at 47 James Street, a family of 8 in two rooms. Opposite was Paddy's Market open on Saturdays lots of fun. We played "Hucky Duck", "Reely fo", "Kick the Can" and "Skiffies" at Mr. Geekie's sweet shop in Alexander Street and only a wee walk to the "Peek". Dundee will forever by in my heart...xxx.
Holiday Memories
My grandfather's unmarried sister, Georgina Scott lived in Eden Street for many years and her parents before her. She died in approximately 1960. Our family stayed with her for a holiday a few years before she died. My sister can remember a bed in the living room. I remember the man in the corner shop could smoke his cigarette backwards i.e. with the lit end in his mouth.
Buster Stall
My Great Granny Christina De Gerniar MacGregor had a buster stall in the old Overgate. She was some woman after having sixteen children.
Brilliant Dundee
My childhood in Dundee was brilliant, Mid-Craigie to me was the grandest place on earth, for me it was home and may I say in all the places I have been to since - nothing compares - that isn't sarcasm - it's heartfelt. The Swannies was my best place to be and Baxter Park in the summer was a joy. I remember skating on the ponds on a few or more cold cold winters, but you never felt it till you got home. Singing like a banshee in the park at the competitions and never winning apart from once. I am talking late 50s/early 60s when life was easier and safer. Read more......
Clark's Chip Shop
When war ended in 1945 a crowd from school assembled outside Clark's chip shop and we were all dancing in Gray Street, then on to the celebrations in City Square, Dundee.
Tram Charm
I saw a young man regularly on the tramcar and liked the look of him. One day I had the chance to sit beside him and I took it. I unfastened my charm bracelet, shook my arm and it fell at his feet. We both bent down to pick it up and bumped heads. I pretended the bump was quite sore, he was apologetic and said he felt bad, we chatted and when it was my stop he insisted he walked me home. We went out regularly after that and married two years later.
Streets Now Gone
I was born in 1930, within a cottar-house on Milton of Craigie Farm, long gone, but B & Q and ASDA are sited there. I think 1930 was the year of the darkest day in Dundee, when some people thought the end of the world had come. Read more......
