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Durisdeer
Durisdeer maps
Historic maps of Durisdeer and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Durisdeer maps
Durisdeer photos
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Carronbridge| Burnhead| Penpont
Durisdeer area books
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Memories of Durisdeer
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Dumfriesshire memories
Craigdarroch Cottage, Eliock, Sanquar
We lived in Craigdarroch Cottage, near Eliock Bridge, Sanquar, in the early 1960s while my dad, Wullie Wilson, worked on the farm there. At that time the farm was owned by the Kerr family. A black London-style taxi used to collect us to take us all to school in Sanquar every morning. The driver was usually a man called Jack Laird. The gamekeeper for the farm estate was Bill? Smith. They had a red-haired daughter who ran around with us 5 Wilson kids. Another girl, Julia Maxwell, lived down the hill from us and we all had some great adventures, wandering up into the hills to lie in the burns in our swimsuits in summer, or sledging down the farm road in wintertime. I wonder why it felt like the summers were always sunny and hot and the winters wonderfully snowy? A grocer's van came up the hill to the cottages once a week, but disaster struck during one of his visits. A boy who lived in the cottage next... Read more
Mr Inglis
It was in early 1965 I with the young lady who was to become my wife went to see the minister Rev John H.A.Inglis at this manse to see if he would marry us,this he duly did on the 25th of September of that year and we are still together 42 years later
The manse is now privately owned,a new manse was built a few years ago and it may olso be privately owned, as the minister lives in Thornhill now, being in charge of several parishes.
The Falls
This dam on the river Scaur would be erected to power the mill,the big building to the right of the falls of which is now gone as is the dam
When I was a boy water was taken from the left and used to power a turbine to generate electricty for Capenoch big house,it was not a very good light,it was I think only 110volts
When the river was in flood it was an awesome sight to see the water powering over the rocks and the salmon jumping having been waiting in the pools downriver for a flood to get upriver to spawn
Memories Growing up in Sanquhar
I was born in Sanquhar in Jan 1956, in my house in Deer Park, which is not far from Sanquhar castle. I used to go to the castle most days, go to the top and play there all day, used to play over the brae heads with my pals, and one good friend Gordon Ralston. We would make tents with blankets over the fence and play for ages, used to play front garden, when I heard the tune of 'The Lon Ranger' on the TV I would run in, jump on the edge of the chair and watch it. Or would play in bedroom when wet, with empty boxs or drawers out of sideboard, sit in them, pretending I was a kid in a car, great times, not like kids now with all there modern games. My dad Archie Gibson used to put me on his shoulders and go across the brae heads to my gran's, Agnes Gibson, who stayed at Bells Crescent, she would give me pieces and jam,... Read more
Building The Wooden Bridges at The Waterfall in 1985
Was tasked (with my fellow sappers) with the building of 2 wooden bridges with my colleagues of 103 Field Squadron RE. I would love to know if they are still standing and what the area where they were built in is called - some day I intend to visit this place and re-visit some happy memories. I remember it was a few miles outside Sanquhar but we went into Sanquhar each night to sample the pubs.
My Grandparents
My Grandparents lived in Kelloholm on Anderson Street, Number 31 or 32. I remember my Grandad used to be the caretaker at the school in Kirkconnell.
They then lived in the Toll House. My Grandad's name was Alexander (Sanny) Templeton. My Grandma was Isabella. They had 3 children, Margaret, Neilly and John who is my Dad. I remember that I used to go play on a children's playground that had a putting green and bowling green opposite. My uncle worked down the pit and he died quite young, and my aunt was a teacher, she lived in Eaglesfield.
Happy Times
I was born at 56 Anderson Street and my grandparents Alexander and Jane Kerr lived in Graham Street. We used to visit every year until 1960? when they passed away. We used to stay with our aunt and uncle who lived in Greystone Avenue. I remember learning to swim in the killie? I think it was called, and buying a sweet called Tablet, visiting relations, all good things. I know all my cousins all live there still. I have a photo of myself at six weeks old being held by a Mr Dixson of Anderson Street. We used to love coming to Kelloholm. All the happy times, if anybody wants to get in touch they will be more than welcome. Thank you, Pauline
