Oxenfoord, Midlothian

Born in a very special place

I was born in Dalkeith in 1936 and shortly after moved to 17 Gibralter Terrace, Dalkieth, Midlothian, Scotland. I was the fourth to be born and already had an older sister by 5 years and two older brothers. By the time I was 11 years old I had another two sisters and two brothers.
We lived in a 3 bedroomed council... [more]

Boyhood in Broomieknowe, Lasswade

In 1953 my family moved from Edinburgh to live in Broomieknowe, Lasswade. I liked the large garden we had on this quiet street with pigeons cooing in the big Chestnut trees in the neighbours garden, and a big barn owl which nested in an old sycamore next door. My brothers and I like to excplore in the Esk Valley, walking along... [more]

Childhood

I was the son of the cobbler at the Klondyke pit. All the kids at that time played in the streets or went up to the pit head baths for a shower, this was because there were no baths or showers in the miners' houses. Everybody in the village at that time knew all the kids and all the kids knew... [more]

growing up near temple

I remember Temple school. The Knights Templar play. Christmas plays. The youth club on Friday evenings. Friday I'm in love. I was. The glen. Scottish country dancing. The human skull in Anna's cellar. Diving off the waterfall. Baking and Christmas parties at the Dunlop's. The quilt. The Fete and fancy... [more]

A Blessing

My grandparents lived in Wilkieston, my grandfather was a blinded Serviceman. They enjoyed a happy life in the village. I spent every weekend and summer holiday there and it remains in my heart. From the milkman to the Post Office, the church to Maggie Morgan's eggs, I do cherish those memories.

Tait Family

Though I was not born in Scotland, I have been back many times and always end up in the town my family was a big part of. My parents, grandparents and g-grandparents have always been a part of the woollen mills and my mother ran the looms, my father fixed them and most machinery and my gran had a small store... [more]

A farm worker's daughter in Dunsyre

Dunsyre was my first school, there were only 7 children in the whole school, myself and my two brothers all went there. I loved my teacher, she showed me great kindness, her name was Miss Low, I will never forget her. We lived at Westhall Cottages about a mile or so away. My dad worked at Westhall Farm, Mr Green was... [more]

Wilson of Braidwood

My brother and I were packed off to Scotland from London each summer to visit our ancestral homeland, whence we would visit our Aunt Daisy and Uncle Adam at their place next to the old Braidwood school near the bottom of the village. This was always a real treat. The wonderful garden that sloped steeply down to the stream at the... [more]