Fleshmarket Close

High Street 1953
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When I was 8 or 9 years old our family moved from Clyde Street, Edinburgh to the High Street or, as we called our immediate area, 'The Tron', in view of living in the shadow of the old Tron Kirk. Our address was 'Fleshmarket Close' of Ian Rankin fame ref the book of that title. The number of the Tennement was 199 High Street. The area now of course bears hardly any recognition to what it was like when I was a youngster of 11 years in 1953. Thinking back it seemed almost Dickensian then. Mind you, we like most of our neighbours and friends had very little, times were hard but, it was the common denominator and, as a result neighbours were the salt of the earth. I have only the fondest of memories of my childhood 'street urchin' days and, lived there until jioning the Army in 1976 at age 24. Probably a square mile with The Tron as the hub would be my playground then. There were happy, happy days and what memories I have, I'm sure like many other people with similar memories and experiences, I think that I could write a book about the 'Royal Mile' that would be quite appropriate to that era. As a matter of referance to the picture 'Fleshmarket Close' is situated between the confectioners shop and the 'Black Swan Pub' of 'Deacon Brodie' fame. Although the proprietors of the 'Sweetie' shop were called Reynolds, we as kids always thought and indeed called them, Mr & Mrs Duncan, this was because most of the chocolate that they sold was made by local manufacturer Duncans Chocolate. Princes Street may be the focal point nowadays on 'old year's night' but in the 1953 era, the 'Tron' was where the crowds gathered and brought in the New Year. Ah! The 'good' old days.