B R O U G H T Y   M E M O R I E S

If your ferry memory has not been added to this page, please re-send.

Isobel Mackie, 9/7/02

Hi all, my happy memories of broty' are the chalet on a saturday. My best friends were margaret chivers, margaret beatson, and sandra johnston. We had a reunion recently, and said we would do it again, but haven't got round to it yet.i used to work in the hap on a sunday where we met every sunday.i live in monifieth now but used to live in woodhaven place barnhill. If anyone remembers the chalet nights i would love to hear from them at isobelmackie@aol.com.

I agree with everyone, broughty ferry is a great place to visit. I love going in for a coffee with my friends.

Cassandra Crichton,  Australia, 5/7/02

I am actually trying to track down some information on the Crichtons of Dundee.

I am a direct descendant to Thomas Crichton  -born 1712. Thomas Crichton was born around 1712 and his sons John and Archibald were fairly famous - so I am led to believe.  John was a Lithotomist and renowned doctor, while his brother was almost as famous and I know he died in his house at Broughty Ferry.  Also one of their ancestors was an Anne Saunders who was a writer from Broughty Ferry and I have one of her letters Circa 1840 written about the Crichton Family.Don't know if you have any info,but didn't think it would do any harm to ask.

David Rastall, Frederick, Maryland, USA,22/6/02

Reading all the letters from people who remember Broughty Ferry as young children makes me want to add my contribution.  I attended Mrs White’s Nursery School, then after that the “wee” Grove Academy during the years 1947 to 1951.  We first lived in Dundee, at 16 Duntrune Terrace.  We emigrated to South Africa in 1952, and for six months or so before we left I lived with my mother in the Woodlands Hotel in Broughty Ferry while my father was getting thing settled in Johannesburg.  My memories of Broughty Ferry are few but very clear -  for example I remember the Caronia docking there.  I also remember nearby Kinnoul Hill. Oh, don’t get me going

 Robert Ness, 28/5/02

came across your website while browsing the net and the childhood memories just came flooding back....I had a lot of holidays in Broughty ferry when I was a wee lad. I stayed in the "links cottages"with old granny henderson......the wee shop on the corner was a treasure trove to me I can still smell the sweetness of it. I'm now 58 and can still see it all...great!
                         keep up the good work great site!

J Chong, Singapore, 10/5/02

Hi I am from Singapore - a far away land. Glad to drop a few lines here. I was in Broughty Ferry for 3 days (one and a half year ago) and loved every minutes here. Vividly remembered one of the evening - it was raining lightly and was admiring the castle near to the river; the lovely swans; the rainbow; the beautiful breeze; the simple meal by the water front ... Similarly unforgettable was the morning walk - the sun rise; the rabbits; the refreshing smell of the plants; the railway tracks ... Thanks for the lovely memories... it will always linger in my mind. Beautiful Broughty Ferry!- I will remember you from across the miles.

Heather Regester, formally Brunton, 8/5/02

My name is Heather Regester, formally Brunton. I spent about 8 years in the Ferry around 1955-63.  I went to the Eastern Primary school and then on to Grove Academy.  While at the Grove my best friend was Mary Davidson (we lost touch many years ago).  My father & mother Rod & Mary Brunton owned and operated The Heather Home Bakery at 326 Brook Street.  My brother Rod was a policeman in Dundee.  I would love to hear from anyone who might remember me or my family.  I now live in California and my Email address is heatherregester@cox.net.    It was so nice to find this site on the internet and I look forward to more updates and picture of the Ferry..  

Stephen Mansfield, Glasgow, 2/5/02

Broughty Ferry, the happiest and shortest lived times of my life. We moved from Newport on Tay to a new house in Fairfield Drive off Strathearn Road around 1959. My first school was Grove Primary in 1960 but had to uproot to Glasgow the next year where I still live. Still think of the Ferry though and my best friend Grant Maxwell. I have a school pic from 1960 on my web site http://stephenmansfield.co.uk  Love to hear from anyone in the photograph. Great site. Stephen

Heather Regester, Goleta, California, 11/4/02

My maiden name was Heather Brunton and we lived in Broughty Ferry for about eight years between 1955 & 1963.  My father & mother owned and operated the Heather Home Bakery at 326 Brook Street.  I attended Eastern primary school and then the Grove Academy.  I would be interested in hearing from any-one who remembers my family.  My Email address is heatherregester@cox.net.   I really enjoyed seeing the pictures on this site.

Alec Lilburn, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, USA, 6/4/02

 I went to the Eastern, the Grove and lived in the Sandy Hole and Campfield Gdns. Ferry was the BEST place to grow up, unfortunately no interesting jobs once one has grown up. The Ferry has changed a lot and not for the better, I still have lots of family there. Left about ‘69 to work in London then onto California. Been here for 21 years. Can contact me at aleclilburn@pobox.com

Pat Fawcett, Corby Northants 27/3/02

Visiting this site was a nostalgic experience, I went to Eastern primary and the Grove Academy. We lived in the flats on Queen Street and in a prefab in Barnhill..I last visited Broughty Ferry six years ago. It was great because it had not changed and I left in 1962..Visiting Barnhill was different, when did the prefabs disappear ? I love the site and hope it encourages visitors to the Ferry it is a great experience.

Roderick Kackenzie, Doha, Qatar, 24/02/2002

I was brought up in the ferry till my family moved to Douglas in 1955 when I was 9. We lived above Corbets paper shop in 302 Brook Street. My father was a Hairdresser in Draffens of Dundee and my Mother was a Home help. I loved my time in the Ferry especially the long summer holidays. I left the area 1962 to join the Royal Navy and have only been back a few times since. I now live and work in the Middle East with plans to retire on the beautiful Island of Corfu but I am still a Ferry boy at heart. e-mail roddymckenzie@hotmail.com

Mike Farringham, Glamis, 04/03/2002

My mother was a Broughty girl (Taymouth Place) and I lived in Forthill from the ages of three till seven (1941-1945) attending the "wee" Grove for primaries one and two. I still have a lot of (jumbled) memories from all these years ago. Whyttocks Cafe, Miss White's Nursery School, Miss
Mann at the Grove, my first girl-friend (four years old) dying from diptheria, the Regal Cinema (terrified by the witch in Snow White), the Broughty Picture House, the pavement artist outside the Post Office, Reid's the grocer, Bowman's the stationer, the Polish soldiers, seaplanes on the Tay, the air-raid sirens, the whale-bone arch, the playground fight with a  "friend" (iodine in the scratches from the Jannie, a sweet from Miss Mann), buying Oxo cubes in place of the unavailable sweets, and a German bomber shot down in flames during the night at Forthill (is this a figment of my imagination?). Still a favourite location.

Sheila Fleeton (was Cameron), Australia, 17/02/2002

Hi there, Wonderful to see your web site. I was brought up essentially in Broughty Ferry and went to the Grove Academy. My name then was Sheila Cameron and I lived with my parents brother and sister in Castle Street B/Ferry I am interested to catch up with anyone from the period from 1955 -1967. I lived in South Africa and now am resident in Australia. My e-mail address is: newlife@shoal.net.au 

F W Brand 7/2/02

I have many fond memories of growing up in the Ferry, and here is just a few.
I was born in Castle Street, in1934, and remember the pierrot show `s on the beech, at the Castle end of the beech next to what was the shelters and the toilets, and also Baptist Church sing songs, where crowds of people gathered to sing songs and listen, (Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.)
The sand then was about five or six feet below the prom wall, you had to go down the steps or jump of the wall to the beech.
And during the war when a merchant ship was sunk at the mouth of the Tay, carrying food and supplies, and they were washed up on the beech, and the local folk were all down there prams and wheel barrows, collecting what they could load up and take away, and I can remember the police visiting all the houses and knocking on the doors and trying to retrieve, the butter, oranges,flour,and eggs, and so on that was collected by the residents, but by this time it had all been hidden away.
We as kids, used to have boxing matches in the drying greens, tying rope round the four poles, and obtaining boxing gloves, that we were giving as Christmas presents, then as the
people passed on there way to the Chalet Ballroom on the esplanade, the would stop and watch, that's when we would go around with the hat collecting, what pennies we could, finishing up in the fish and chip shop close by.
I can remember the big guns mounted next to castle, pointing up the tay, and the barbed wire in the front of them on the beech, and the search lights, in the night sky.
We used to go to Castle Roy, with all the family, and listen to the pipe bands, and the lucky dips, that were barrels of sawdust, with gifts, wrapped in parcels, to pull out the barrels.
I could go on a lot more, with stories of the Ferry, but, I think this is a good time to thank you for a very interesting web site, and long may it continue, because of the great interest it gives to many ex ferry folk, thank you. BGRANDAD@aol.com 

Anne Dagen, 1/2/02 

Several people on the memories page asked about the tail end of fishing in the Ferry. I remember Chick Webster who, I think, made his living fishing from a small boat in the late 50s - early 60s

Pat Turner, 26/1/02 

How totally wonderful to have found this site. My dad was born in Broughty Ferry, 3 Derby Place, and I have heard many stories. Is Dalgety's Imporium still in Dundee? I am of Brown, Campbell, Dalgety lineage and am doing ongoing research. Anyone wishing to exchange information may contact me: mommat35@hotmail.com I too think a group mailing list would be a wonderful idea.

Thomas Henry Frederick Walton 5/1/02

To Whom it May Concern My name is Thomas Henry Frederick Walton and I live in Chilliwack British Columbia Canada. I was born in Winnipeg Manitoba in 1943. My father died six months before I was born and I was raised by my grandmother and mother. My grandmother spoke often about Broughty Ferry and Scotland and hopefully I will be able to visit in the not too distant future. My grandmothers name was Jean Hodge Patterson. She died in 1969 at the age of 92 or 93. I*m not sure what year she immigrated. She married a man named Sparkes. Would you be able to find out if she is still on the birth registry? Any information would be appreciated. Thank You Tom My mailing address is: 44697 Kimberly Place Chilliwack, BC, V2R 3H1 Canada

James Aitken, Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia, 31/12/2001 

Love the site.........so many nostalgic memories of days gone by. What a pity I didn't appreciate more the lifestyle we enjoyed as kids. I went to Grove Academy for a year in around 1947/48 before being transferred to England with my father's job. I lived in Broughty Ferry but cannot remember the street name. I have looked at some online maps but they are not detailed enough. Is it possible for you to include a detailed street map of BF so that us expatriates can track down some of the features that are hidden deep in the memory banks. I am amazed at the number of 'Ferrians' that are scattered all over the world.......just shows we were an adventurous lot......but then again that is a Scottish trait from past centuries. Best wishes for 2002 and congratulations on a site that obviously brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. James Aitken Queensland Australia

F W Brand, 29/12/01

Hello, I would like to say how pleased I am to find your site, and what a wonderful job you do in bringing so many people brought up in the Ferry together again, keep up this wonderful web page, I log in on a regular basis to see if there are any names, or comments of interest to read, thank you.
I was born in the Sandy Hole 1934, in a family of seven, started school at the Little Western, and then on to Eastern, and so on to the Grove, leaving in 1949.
I have many good memories, as well as sad ones, but certainly unforgettable ones
I leave you my e-mail if any one is still about who I grew up with in these days.

BGRANDAD@AOL.COM 

19/12/01 Malcolm Orr, Christchurch, New Zealand

.Went to Forthill Primary then Grove between 79 - 84.Then onto Duncan of Jordanstone before London and now living in beautiful New Zealand. Interested to read from one of the contributors about Hamish Clark being in Monarch of the Glen.You can't imagine how much time it took to convince the guys at work here that I played in the 1st xv with him at Grove. Get back to Broughty Ferry about every three years and will be back in February to avoid the heat of New Zealand summer. E-Mail me on m.orr@designteam.co.nz.

Dorothy Rodger, 7/12/01 

Broughty Ferry.Hello I am wondering if you would like to establish a link to my site on Broughty Ferry. Most of my photographs are family but I have a nice selection of ones from Broughty Ferry and Dundee. My website is www.broughty.org.uk Dorothy.

Diane Morrison, 18/11/01

18/11/01 What a wonderful web site. I found it only last night, which was nice timing as I was making a wee visit up to Dundee today, and was looking for a nice pub lunch. My son is at Uni in Dundee(which is great as it allows me to visit the Ferry regularly)We took him to the Fishermans Tavern which I can highly recommend. Very cosy atmosphere with a coal fire burning. The food was beautiful and the staff very helpful.

My grandpa John Charles Murray Bell was brought up in the Ferry in the flat above the Post Office in Brook Street(1905 onwards). Since he died I have found out so much more about his family and ancestors. His grandfather was William Murray, Master Plumber who had a shop in the town. William and his wife Christina (nee Brown) lived in the flat above Goodfellows shop.(The chocolate violets are a must)

I feel a great affinity to the Ferry. What always amazes me, is how bustling Brook Street is. Lots of super wee shops well worth a visit. Your web site will keep me going till the next visit! Thank you

Bill (Lindsay) Davie 28/10/01

I've just finished a delightful tour of your grand site; especially enjoyed the many letters from ex-Ferry folk scattered around the world. I even noticed a letter from my brother!  I spent my early childhood in the Ferry, from 1942 until 1955 attending the Grove Primary and then the "Big Grove" for first year.  I emigrated in the 60's and was unable to visit for many years but happily have enjoyed a couple of trips over the past ten years.  Although my visits were too short I enjoyed every minute of them.  I bought several pictures of Broughty which hang proudly on my walls.   

So many things remain fresh in my mind; primary school with Mrs Crawford, playing football and cricket at the "Rec", watching Forfarshire play county cricket, playing in Castleroy, films at the
Regal and the Broughty (Reres), camping with the Scouts and watching Tommy Gallacher and Billy Steel at Dens on a Saturday.  In my travels I've had the pleasure of meeting former Ferry residents on four occasions although I hadn't known them before.   I once saw a Ferry bumper sticker on a car in Vancouver!  

Alex Harrison, Western Australia 13/10/01

My grandfather Alexander NICOLL was born in Broughty Ferry on or around 1886. He subsequently moved to Australia prior to the First World War. I would like to hear from any of his relatives.

pressureoff@dingoblue.net.au

Ian Bennet, Cruden bay - Aberdeenshire 07/10/01

i grew up in the ferry going to the wee grove in 1963 and then on to Forthill till 1970. I lived in Victoria Road and then moved to Reres Road in 1972. I remember my teacher was Mrs. Ross at Forthill. I would really love to hear from anyone who remembers me from these days. I was also in the BB's at St Lukes and the Sunday School as well Please e-mail me at ian.bennet@aberdeen.entoiol.com or atian@ibennet.flyer.co.uk. My parents still live in the ferry and i love going back to the old haunts although not many of them are left But you cant beat a saer heed from Goodfellows. Anyway i really look forward to hearing from you all

cathy.smith56@sympatico.ca

How does any one go and get a list of local council people for a town? Story has it that my great grandmother was involved with the local government in Broughty Ferry in the early 1900's and I would like to know a bit about it. Her name was Jane Findlay Philp. She was married to David Philp.
any help would be greatly appreciated.

Scott Ramsay, London 20/09/01

My Mum's family were all Lorimars. In the early seventies just about the whole family lived in Brown Street. Those were the days when there were stables at the bottom of the street. A real sense of community then. My Grandad Hugh Tully was a real character in the town. Does anyone remember him ? He was the Landlord of the Fisherman's Tavern for a few years.&

Julie Kennedy 10/09/01

Hi,

At last I have found a great site that gives some insight into the history of Broughty Ferry from local peoples memories.Thanks for setting this up and giving me the opportunity to possibly find out some information about my ancestors. I hope you can add my enquiry to your site.

I live on the Wirral which is just across the water (The Mersey!) from Liverpool. My great great grandfather was John Gilroy (died 1877). Since a child I have heard about my family coming from 'somewhere' in Scotland, having something to do with hemp/jute and owning a big house called 'Castleroy'. I had a couple of old pictures of Castleroy and I held the funeral card for John Gilroy who was buried in a cemetery in Liverpool. I had been told that John had moved away from his family in Scotland because he could not adhere to the strict religious upbringing and rebelled by moving away. Was he the Black sheep I wondered?

After many years of searching through Liverpool directories, census lists, cemetery records etc I finally found were John Gilroy was buried however the headstone had long since gone. I ordered certificates from the Family Records centre and discovered he and his family seem to have lived in the 'slum' area of Liverpool. His occupation was given as a hairdresser.

This intrigued me. How was it that John Gilroy had moved down from Scotland, from an obviously well to do family (The Gilroys), to set up residence in the slum area of Liverpool? What is his connection to the family living in the 'big house' Castleroy' which I had heard all about? The puzzle needs solving.

After many hours of trawling through books I bought a computer and hooked up on the Internet! Boy what a marvellous thing it is for genealogists! I found out Castleroy had been the family home of the Gilroys and it had been situated in Broughty Ferry, close to Dundee. Could it still be standing I wondered? I bought a modern map of Dundee which included Broughty Ferry and scanned the road names. Sure enough there was a road called Castleroy! Could this be where the house had stood? I waited with baited breath for an old Ordnance survey map to arrive from an order with W H Smiths. Sure enough there was the house and there was a short text stating the house had succumbed to dry rot and had been demolished.

AAArrrgghh......I was so disappointed. But at least I know knew I had the correct area and the family history that had been relayed to me had been correct. I decided I must get to see this place I had heard so much about and see if I could dig out some details from local bookshops, library, antique shops etc....

I had an opportunity to go on a short trip away with some friends to Pitlochrie and managed to persuade them to do a one day trip down to Broughty ferry to see if I could pick up some information and take some photos and video to bring back to show my folks back home. Luckily a new book had been produced showing old pictures of Broughty Ferry and this opened my eyes to other houses in Broughty ferry built/owned by the Gilroys. This was getting exciting and I couldn't wait to visit to start delving through library information and seeing the sites etc.This book informed me there was a Gilroy mausoleum in Barnhill cemetery and that they had owned a big jute mill in Dundee called Tay Works!

The day arrived to travel to Broughty Ferry.My friends and their 3 kids and me all piled into their Galaxy and off we went...in the rain! We arrived and luckily the rain had stopped but it was extremely windy. I had listed all the road names and house names I wanted to look for and armed with a map we set out a plan of action and decided to walk around.Boy it was a hike up the hill to Castleroy Road but here I was...on the site of my ancestors but what was left? We figured out what the perimeter walls must have been and noted there were now 3 or 4 modern houses now built on the land. What a disappointment.

We found the houses Dunalistair (Hill Street) and we think Rowanbank (Camphill Road) but couldn't find 'Gilroy cottage' in Monifieth Road where the Castleroy coachman had lived nor where the dairyman had lived at 75? Panmure St. According to the new book the Castleroy East Lodge (gardener), Castleroy Bothy (groom) and Castleroy House had all gone together with Castleroy itself.

However I received a thrill when we found Castleroy East Lodge (gatekeeper/joiner) in Hill St still standing and there was the name Gilroy in stone above the impressive gateway. Also we found the mausoleum in Barnhill cemetery with invaluable information on the marble plaques inside it which I could easily see. While in the cemetery I met a lovely local man who was visiting his wifes grave. He told me he had played in the grounds of Castleroy as a lad and he and his mates had played inside the derelict old house when it had been left. He said it had become a sorrowful site and definitely needed knocking down in the end. He was not sure however what local authority held the records for the Barnhill cemetery for me to contact for more information on possible other Gilroy graves in the cemetery. I do not know this gentlemans name but he was a joy to talk to.Thanks to him whoever he was!

Time was beginning to catch up with us and the kids were beginning to get hungry and tired plus it was nearing 4:30 and I hadn't even looked in the library yet! We dashed around the local shops but I was disappointed to note there were no old bookshops to search through or buy old/new local history books. The library held nothing and could only divert me to the main library in Dundee were everything is now held due to Broughty Ferry now being part of Dundee. I did venture into an art gallery/craft shop and some lovely ladies in there were intrigued with my story and dug out an old local history book they held upstairs for me to have a flick through. The lady kindly copied the relevant pages about Castleroy for me because the book was now out of print. Again to these ladies who ever you are, thankyou!

My day was done and yet I still had loads of questions I had unanswered. I left Broughty ferry feeling very strange.I do not know when I will see it again. Maybe my ancestors were looking down on me at that point. But I couldn't help wondering what had happened to their descendants? Were there any descendants still living in Broughty Ferry? We went back via Dundee to see if we could figure out were the Tay works jute mill had been but it was so busy so we just shot through.

George (m Sarah Reid) built Castleroy

Robert Henry (m Elizabeth?) built Rowanbank?

Alexander (m Marguerite?) built Dunalistair? which became a Black Watch home

George and Sarah seemed to have had 4 children

George Alexander

Alexander Bruce

James Reid

Sarah Ann

Where does my John Gilroy fit into this? I think he may have been a brother to the 3 brothers that started off in Rowanbank however I have yet to prove this. Was he the black sheep as my family down here seem to have thought? Or was there some other reason for him to move south?

Why did Castleroy end up derelict and succumb to dry rot? What date was it demolished? Were there any photos taken of it in ruins? Why did the family leave it to get to this state? Where did all the furnishings, paperwork, photos etc go from the house?

Why did the contents of Rowanbank get sold off in an auction when Elizabeth (Betty) Gilroy died? Was there no family to pass this on to? Again have all the family papers ended up in old bric a brac or antique shops?

I have no photographs of any of the Gilroy family from Scotland? Does anyone hold any photographs I could copy or know of a place that holds photographs or maybe paintings of the Gilroys I could get to see? I would love to put faces to names at least! Apparently there were 2 boats/ships owned by them too? Does anyone know any information about these?

When was the Tay works factory shut down and demolished? I presume this was due to lessening demand for jute and hemp with the introduction of plastics etc. What became of the company Gilroy & Sons, Gilroy Bros, partnership with Cox Bros? They apparently held land in Calcutta India. Where was this and what happened to that?

It seems the Gilroy family were not that well liked? Why? Did they treat their employees badly? Did they act like absolute prats and snobs? There was one saving grace and that seems to have been Alexander Bruce Gilroy who seemed to get very involved in protecting the local community and was involved with many organisations. He never married and died aged 70yrs in 1923?

I have searched so much information via the internet but really I need to visit Scotland again and this time for a longer stay in probably Dundee. I know the University of Dundee have Gilroy Bros records under reference MS66 in their archives and I will have to get to see that information some time in the future when I visit but for now they will remain a mystery. Also all Birth, Death, Marriage information for Scotland is held separately from that of England and Wales and so I can only trace it by travelling up there which unfortunately is quite a way!

Any information anyone could give me, however small or trivial, I don't mind, I am just intrigued to unscramble the puzzle and get to know my ancestors - good or bad!!

Thanks to the people I met and chatted to in Broughty Ferry on my daytrip out there. I enjoyed every moment! And finally thanks to anyone who has survived reading through my prattle...I hope it hasn't bored you.You may just be the one who can help me to solve the puzzle so thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!!

Julie Kennedy

P.S. Feel free to email me at jules@castleroy1.freeserve.co.uk

Within the will of A.B. Gilroy, Castleroy was offered to the Local Authority in 1945, however after inspection it was discovered it had significant dry rot which made it financially unrealistic to maintain. It was demolished in 1956. 

There is an excellent book on Broughty Ferry which contains pictures and some history on Broughty Ferry amongst which it details information on Castleroy and the Gilroys including (within the introduction) the auction sale at Rowanbank -  its called - Broughty Ferry,  Andrew Cronshaw, ISBN 0-7524-1509-3

David Murray 06/09/01 davmurray@hotmail.com

Stumbled upon the website after seeing a link to it on another web site. Born in the Ferry in 1967, I spent the first 12 years of my life happily, living in Morar Place, East Balgillo. My dad, Alex worked in Dundee as an insurance broker with the GRE. My mum, Elizabeth, (now sadly departed and sorely missed), worked for a while in the RS McColl next to the Green Belt. Have many happy memories of the Ferry, not least my days at Forthill, the blackouts of the seventies, the playpark round the back of the shops off the Green Belt, the information film played to Albatross by Fleetwood mac in the castle (!), going up the Wellgate Centre on a Saturday afternoon, amongst many others.... My brother Stephen still lives in Dundee, the rest of my family now have moved to the west coast. Myself? Well, I moved to Glasgow for a few years before ending up in London, where I've been for the last year. Don't get back to the Ferry very often but would love to hear from anyone who may remember/know me, or my family. Keep up the good work!

Cheers

Maureen Scott 31/08/01

I  lived in Broughty ferry from 1947-52.  My family lived in Castleroy ( now a private housing complex ) and I have fond memories of playing in the castle  grounds-what a setting for our imagination!!  An added bonus was the harvest of plums, apples and gooseberries from the castle orchard-there were  often
sore tummies from over indulgence!  I remember my first winter in primary school-sliding down Whinnie Brae on an old suitcase towards the Eastern in the bad snow of  the winter of 1947.  Annie Butchart's sweet shop in Queen St supplied the Eastern children with their ration of sweets!  As a treat mum
ould buy chocolate voilets, rhubarb tarts or filled bridge rolls from Goodfellows-( I still know the taste! )  A real treat was to be invited to a birthday tea in Goodfellow's tearoom but that was only a luxury of the
better-off!  Each summer saw the parade of corporation double-decker buses filled with Dundonians regularly making their way to Broughty beach which was crowded on a good day.  We would go along with pals to hear the "Good News" in the gospel hall in King St-1p entrance fee but that entitled you to a cup of cocoa!  I continued my schooling at Grove Academy having moved to Craigiebank in 1953.I now live in Fochabers ( Baxter's soup country )with my husband Colin-a native of the Ferry too. My maiden name was Crawford. It was a great place to spend my chiidhood. I still love going back for a nostalgic
visit although much has changed but the level crossing is still there!

Gavin Whitelaw, 25/08/01 Barking Essex - but still really Broughty Ferry

Well I see that you have a piccy of my mums house at the top of the page. Brought up in the Ferry in Fisher Street and my parents still live there. I get back as often as I can 8not often enough and like some of your other correspondants say it really was a greay place to grow up in playing on the beach and the pier and you really didnt appreciate how lucky you were. I attended Eastern and Grove and left Grove in 1981. Am now in London working as a technician

Marriane Drysdale, USA 23/08/01 - drysd001@mc.duke.edu

I now live in Durham, North Carolina. I spent my early childhood in Broughty Ferry
(from about 1968 until 1978 or so)  I went to Eastern Primary school with my two sisters, Nancy and Louise - we lived in the house right next door to it on Monifieth Rd !  We have great memories of playing in Dawson Park, and pretending to be Robin Hood in Reres Park.  I also remember spending hours on the beach and in the (frigid) sea !  I have happy memories of Visocchi's, "Annie Butcher's", picking brambles on the old railway line, going to the Regal and buying a poke
of chips for the walk home, Mr. Allison the grocer, the "pie shop" which had the most awesome Forfar bridies.

I would love to hear from anyone who was around at that time -my sisters and I often fantasize about packing it all in and buying a B and B in Grotty Broughty ! drysd001@mc.duke.edu

You might want to try www. friendsreunited.co.uk. Not specifically for Broughty ferry, but it does list all the schools in Broughty Ferry (primary and secondary). Ex-pupils register the year they were in and its a good way of getting in touch with old school pals. 

Judith Montgomerie, Perth, Western Australia 22/08/01 - jmonte@global.net.au

Just happened upon this site and saw a posting from a Montgomerie.   I am interesting in contacting anyone who can assist. jmonte@global.net.au

C. Hooper, Canada  14/08/01

My grandmother was born in Broughty Ferry in the 1890's.She lived most of her adult life away from the Ferry and I never visited or got to Know the place. I know her father had a watchmaker/Jewelery shop - Fehrenbach and was of german decent. That story I do not Know. They lived in a house caled I believe roselee ar something similar. I wondered if perhaps the house still stood or anyone recalled any salient facts. Thank You

Alan B Grant 28/07/01 USA

Sitting on a Delta flight from DC to Atlanta I spoke to the lady sitting next to me who out of the blue told me about the Ferry Web site, her mother had lived there many years ago. Having lived in many places in the world I long to return to the Ferry and when I am tired of building and designing robots in the US I will return for good to the area where I have fond memories of Balmyle Road where my family has lived for many years.

I recently visited the area and had the opportunity to visit the Ferry. Of course my first stop was to Goodfellows for a cream meringue and a loaf of youma. I got the meringue but the server had never heard of a youma !!!! I remember going to Goodfellows tea room on Saturdays and devouring as many souffle cakes as we could, I think the record for 2 of us was a total of 48 

If anyone remembers me from the schooldays at DHS I would love to hear fromthem

Does anyone know what happened to Sheila or Helen Jamieson who lived on Grove Road in the Ferry I heard that the family had moved to Newtyle but I never heard any other information

Hope that someone might remember me from the 50s !!!

By the way I love the web site you have done a great job
Alan B Grant

cobratec@mindspring.com

Neil Donald 23/07/01 Email: ndonald@bechtel.com

A message for Heather Hoare...... you posted a request for information regarding your family in Broughty Ferry ( 16/05/01)
I knew most of your cousins and knocked around with Norrie for several years. My younger sister went out with Norrie for a few years a long time ago. I believe I met your mother when she was over for a holiday years ago. I can put you in touch very easy as Norrie is back living in the Ferry.
email: ndonald@bechtel.com

Christopher Grimmond, 28/06/01

Ashley Todd, South Africa 22/06/01 - ashleytodd@highwayonline.co.za

Renita Johnson 08/06/01

My great grandparents ( Archibald and Cecelia Scott Young) with their children (James, Robert, Mary, Cecelia(my grandmother), Bella, Helen, Douglas, Dorothy who is still living in Connecticut, Alexander, Elizabeth, Archibald) came from Broughty Ferry to Ellis Island to live in New Haven, Connecticut. It was great seeing where they came from via your website !! Thanks 

Amy Watson, 08/06/01

Did you know that Hamish Clark - star of Monarch of the Glen and the
Vodafone adverts comes from BF?

Jim Davie, South Hampton 05/06/01

Im very pleased to have found your web site which is extremely well done and with the Links provides me with hours of nostalgic wallowing.My name is James Davie. I lived at Forthill Drive and went to the Wee Grove and the Big Grove which I left in 1954. In 1955 I left the Ferry for Southampton wher I have lived ever since.If anybody who remembers me reads this they can mail me on - jim@lautrec.fslife.co.uk

Pat Leighton (aka Pat Birse) - Canada 31/05/01

I didn't see under the attractions "Donkey rides", that was the highlight of my days in Broughty Ferry !  That, and a walls icecream bar (with sand!). 
Hail now from Toronto, Canada.

Heather Hoare 16/5/01

Jo Anderson (nee Rowlings) London 15/05/01

I am another Ferry girl, grew up in theFerry, then Barnhill , went to the wee Grove during the war. I remember the school windows  having strips of paper put on for the bombs and my gasmask.  We used to play on the stony beach at lunch time. We swung on the railway gates at the top of Grey Street when they opened  & the stationmaster used to run out shouting at us.Ice cream at Visocchis, Meringues at Goodfellows, standing outside the chipper on Saturday night, the back seats at the Regal - by this time at the big Grove.  Hanging round the peanut butter factory - does anyone else remember that?  Swimming off the pier with the Phibbies and the huge jellyfish. The best place in the world to grow up, we were so lucky. Jo Anderson (nee Rowlings) London

Alexander Smith 14/05/01

Sally King, USA 27/04/01

Allan Reilly, 22/04/01

Is there aninvolved. Part of my family Lorimers were Ferry fisherfolk for many generations but gave up on it around WWI.ybody out there who remembers the tail end of the fishing at the Ferry%3F I know it was in decline since early in the 20th century but it did linger until shortly after WWII. Perhaps some relative may have been

Chris Grimmond, 17/04/01

My Great Grandfather Grimond used to own Carbet Castle on Camphill Rd. I know that most of it was destroyed during the war then later rebuilt. Can anyone give me more information about the place and my ancestors Is it a private residence today.Thank you for your help. chris.lynn@sympatico.ca

Nancy Coupar, Canada 15/04/01

Aileen Mc Donagh, USA 07/04/01

Alan Reilly 18/03/01

I would be interested to know if there are any people who actually remember the fisherfolk at the ferry. Does anybody know of their relatives or ancestors being involved. Its best days seem to have been over by WWI but a very small amount of fishermen remained until after WWII. I know that when my late grandfather James Lormer was a boy his father packed in the fishing. Probably most folk with relatives ancestors from the ferry called Lorimer Ferrier Gall etc. are partly of ferry fisher stock. It is strange that you never hear it talked about. I realise that it was a long time ago and there are far fewer people now living in Broughty Ferry with ferry ancestry.

Dian Montgomerie Elvin, Tarago, New South Wales, Australia 18/03/01

My childhood was spent in Broughty Ferry, in Castle Terrace, overlooking the beach. I could write for screeds about making castles in the sand and nearly drowning in the Tay, as well as the piercing winds with sand storms.  During WW2 there were "Big Guns" stationed at the Castle and along the Esplanade.  Every so often they would be fired to make sure they worked.  It frightened the children and made a big crack in our kitchen ceiling! I don't think they were ever used in battle, although I can remember looking out at night and seeing a small German plane flying past the house.  It had dropped a bomb in the Dichty and was on its way home.  I could see the pilot!  At the end of the war Italian prisoners came to remove the rolls of barbed wire scattered all over the beach - in case of invasion up the mouth of the Tay - and they made the best of their situation by toasting bread over small bonfires using bits of barbed wire for toasters - and they ate the toast with dandelion leaves, picked fresh.  My small brother was a great success with them, with his surname Montgomerie!  They thought this a huge joke!

I was sorting out some old photographs of the family in the garden at Castle Terrace during the war, had an idea to search for Broughty Ferry with "Google.com" and there you were!  Thank you for a nostalgic site! Dian
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Maureen Gillies Barton - nee Birse,  Queensland Australia 15/2/01

Another Grove Academy lassie who travelled the world before settling far from home. I have wonderful memories of growing up at Forthill. Wandering wild and free for the summer holidays. Long days on the sands,  the beach mission, ice creams and clootie dumpling at Gramdmas at Rugbt Tce. Holidays at Glen Lethnot. Sailing on the river with picnics at Lucky Scapp. Catching buckets of flounder and large partins. We were very lucky to grow up in such a wonderful place.

Mike Corbett, Wymondham, Norfolk 15/2/01

I'm sure I'm not the first one to define what the Sandy Hole was. Strictly, it was the rabbit-warren of terraced, tiny cottages which used to lie between Castle Street and the railway line and, when I was a boy in the Ferry in the 1940's and 1950's, there used to be regular pitched battles, usually on the beach at the bottom of Brook Street, between the Sandy Holers and the Beachies who, as Alan suggested in his e-mail, came from Fisher Street, around the lifeboat shed. I lived at the beach end of Brook Street and my Dad had a newsagent's shop just beside the Royal Bank in Brook Street until about 1970 - it's a pet food shop now, I think, but I didn't qualify as a Sandy Holer or a Beachie, so I became a pretty good runner. One of my favourite memories of the Ferry is going along to my Dad's shop on a Saturday evening and listening to all the crack about the football results as all the men came in to wait for the Sporting Post. At about twenty past six, I'd go up to the station where six or seven of us used to wait for the bundles of Posts to be flung off the train, then I'd dash back to the shop and, two minutes later, they'd all be sold out and Dad would be locking up the shop. I remember you could hardly see through all the cigarette and pipe smoke in the shop - but what an atmosphere. left about 35 years ago, but the Ferry was a great place to grow up, and I pop back for a wee nostalgic look whenever I can.Best wishes for your website - I'll pass on your address to my sister, Jill, in the USA. No doubt you'll be hearing from her

Daphne Davis, Rome 15/2/01

Greetings from Rome, New York, I am Daphne (Smith) Davis, I spent my holidays as a child in Broughty Ferry. My mum, dad and I lived in England, but my mum was from the Ferry so spent our holidays with my gran and grandad who lived in King Street. Happy days indeed, playing
and fishing on the pier and being chased off by the piery, playing at the sands and also when a little older swimming with the "Phibbies" club near the castle, even going to the berries one year. My mum's friends children were all very friendly with the sassenach and included me in everything. I loved going into the lifeboat shed to see the lifeboat, and always had to have a trip on the Fifie each year too.  My uncle was the barber in Monifieth at the time so spent quite a bit of time there
too. Last time I was in the Ferry was in 1995 when I brought my mother back for a visit (she is now 94). It was wonderful to see that most things have stayed relatively the same. Not forgetting having tea and cakes in Goodfellows mmmmmm.  Finding this site has indeed brought back many happy childhood memories. I will return often.

Alan, The Ferry, 22/11/00

You often hear folk mentioning that they were from Sandy Hole in the Ferry. A man in his late 70s recently explained to me that there was a rivalry between the sand holers and the beachies people along Fisher Street etc. when he was young. Does anybody recall this ? You often here of people proudly calling themselves Sandy Holers but you never hear beachies mentioned.

Camerom Clark, Holland 16/11/00

As a kid I remember there used to be an annual swim from the harbour across the Tay and back (about 20 years ago). Always wanted to join in some day. Does this still go on? Do you know where I can find some information on this ?

The Old Amphibious Society has been around for many years and is still going. Its famous for its new year dip on New Years Day. We'll see what else we can find. - WebAuthor

Michael Needham

I spent my first 6 years of life in Broughty Ferry but, even still, remember it well. Only been back 3 times since my family moved to the Borders. I lived in Blake Avenue. The one thing I noticed  and was so pleased about  when I went back on a nostalga trip a year ago was how little had changed:the shops and the sights.. A lovely little town that I will return to every 10 years or so.

Alyson Murray, Battle Creek, Michigan, USA

Recently my mother and father were in Broughty Ferry on a trip "home" for my father.   His name is Alexander Norrie, he was born at Trottic Mains 60 years ago.  He lived there until moving to Canada at the age of six.  His mother, Isabella Austin Bishop was married to Alfred Norrie, a local Broughty Ferry baker, and they had my dad.   On his trip "home" he was able to stay at a bed and breakfast on Norrie Street, and wondered how to find out the history of the street.  Is he somehow linked to this street?  Is it tied to his family heritage?  Unfortunately, he was only able to stay in Broughty Ferry for a couple of days, and wasn't able to do any research.    My grandfather,
Alfred, was one of five brothers who grew up in Broughty Ferry.  My grandmother, was a Bishop, one of eleven children, and also from Broughty Ferry.  My great-grandmother, was the owner of Trotic Mains, and I believe even my grandmother was born there.  Quite a story, isn't it?  I would love to be able to get some of the local history regarding either the Bishops or the Norries to relate to my father.   With best regards from an ocean away,

Norrie Street was named after the Linen Mill Baron who owned the house at the top of the street. More to follow...

Jared Bendis

My name is Jared Bendis, I am from Cleveland Ohio USA and recenlty had the pleasure of visiting   Broughty Ferry Castle.  While I was there the person at the museum mentioned that they might want to see some of the photos I took of the castle.  Is this the website for the city or the castle?

This web site is not affiliated with broughty castle. However, any digital images of Broughty Ferry provided by readers of these pages will be added.

francie golden - thedundeelassie@aol.com

my name is francie golden and i was born in the sandy hole.  my sister eleanor  still lives in castle st, any one from the sandy hole please e mail me  or from the  ferry or dundee.

Peter Lennie

Fond memories of the chalet Friday night dances.

Monifieth Holidays - Alistair Durham, Birmingham,  25/06/00

New Lifeboat - Graham McHardy, 23/06/00

I remember the day the new lifeboat was launched back in the 1960's and the huge crowd that had circled the harbour to watch. It seemed that the whole of the Ferry had turned up to watch. I was only little at the time and needed a hoisty up to see what was going on. My Dad was a ' Sandy Holer ' as were my Grandparents and although we lived in Maryfield in Dundee we spent every Saturday in the Ferry. Happy Days!

Exploring - Anne Dagen, 29/05/00

I remember in the late 50s spending holidays in a little flat just opposite the lifeboat shed. One day I went exploring up river, to find out where the shingle ended. When I got back, it seemed as though
everyone in the Ferry was out searching for a 'lost' child...me. That put an end to the exploring for a while.

 Long summer walks - GG, Dundee 07/05/00

I remember every summer until I was about 8 years my mother used to take myself and my brother and sister a the walk from Dundee to Broughty Ferry. We walked along the stony beach collecting and inspecting, fish, pebbles, crabs... The best part was getting to visocchies for an ice cream then making sand castles on the beach until it was time to come home. Great fun. . 

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