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.

Thomas Tilbury, Dublin, collinsirb@yahoo.co.uk

My grandfather, Arthur Tilbury was a native of Broughty Ferry  and he just passed away I would just like to know if any one there remembered him His parents were Freeman and Jessie. He was in the Royal Navy in the Second World War he met my grandmother Maura when his ship docked in cork they got married in and lived for a while in Broughty Ferry before moving back to cork. He had a sister, Anne and a brother called George. I would be thankful for any tiny bit of information regards Thomas Tilbury Thomas

David Irving, Corby,Northants Davidjarvisi@aol.com

I seen my mothers name on this sit..Isobel Irving...her maiden name was Clarke, daughter of John Watson Clarke of the Waverly. Her best pal was Lancie (married Norman Strachan) Her father worked in a foundry and was also on the lifeboats. She was born in 1932 and married Robert Irving in 1952 in the church on the street corner of church other uncles were many but I only remember 2. Dode and Chick Barry.i know they drank in the gunners. The Waverly was a microscopic community on its own. I remember everyone knowing everyone else. I remember Jean Mcdougal and her daughter Peggy,later to be Peggy Mcay. My parents had a boarding house for students in Millers Wynd in Dundee from the late 1950s to early 60s.teddy Khan, Tommy Sherrocks, Bob Turnball, Virginia Tatton, Legs Emmery, Stephen Yardly, Brian Grellis, Gill Gascoigne, Bill Dwyer, James Bowlam, Terry Gavaghan, Doug Hay, Doug Mac and many more were regulars guests. Our neighbours were the Easmonts, Downeys and Andersons. My parents are both very much alive in their 70s running a busy off licence in England but would love to hear from any of the above, also anyone from the ferry.

Hazel, Caterham, hmilks@aol.com

I know this is a very long shot but my Grandmother was the lighthouse keeper's daughter near Broughty Ferry. I believe it was the Budness Lighthouse. There was also a family home in Broughty Ferry called 'The Hame'. The family name was Cockeral or Cockerel. I am visiting Scotland for the first time in October & I would love to find the lighthouse & the old family home if it is still standing. Does anyone have any idea about the places or family?

Mary Johannessen, Texas, USA, mjohannessen@panola.edu

 I am planning a trip to Scotland, landing in Manchester, driving up to Dundee, Monikie area. Can you send me any suggestions on places to stay and things to see while in those areas. I was thinking of a central location and driving out each of the 6 days in different directions. My family name Gellatly and Sturrock all came from the Monikie area. Can't wait to get there. Thanks Mary

Bob Kelly, Newcastle, England, BobKellyNo1@tiscali.co.uk

Don't know how many people will look at this, but would happy to hear from genuinely keen people who really remember me. 

John McDonald, Perth Australia shirod@bigpond.com

Pleased to find your web page as I have just started a search for long lost relatives who lived in Broughty Ferry. Have some information through the Scotlands people website but have run out of clues. Do you have a local geneology group who may be able to assist?. I'm looking for descendants of James Taylor who was born in Broughty Ferry in 1890 and lived at 28 Monimeith Rd Briar Cottage at the 1901 census. I would appreciate any advice or reference to another source. 

William Pfautz, Lancaster, PA, USA, wtpfautz@comcast.net  

My Mother, Nellie Barlow, born in Dundee, Dec. 1893.  I never had the chance to visit Dundee but your web site is fantastic.  I'll always remember visiting your great city via this electronic marvel

Scott Ramsay, London, ramsays4@ntlworld.com

I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers my family - the Tullys and Lorimers of Brown Street. My Grandad was Hugh Tully. Such happy memories of my childhood in the seventies are flooding back! Scott Ramsay

John (Ian) Keill, New Zealand, johnkk@xtra.co.nz

How many remember playing cards etc behind the life-boat shed, punts(?)banker and Cush Knight with his crown and anchor I think he once had to take refuge in the tide when the Cops did a raid! Though not Ferry-folk Bruce Clark and myself had great friends there Shall (Jim) Crawford,Shog (Andy)Wood, Happy (Ian) Harper to mention a few.I still think of them and the times we had. Great laughs with great people.

Obe Lynd, N. California

I know this is an unusual request but... I saw a post by Robert Ness. I'm trying to find an old high school teacher whose name was Robert Ness. He mentions he is 58 (in 2002)--this is about the right age. I'm wondering if you have any way to contact this poster and ask him to reply to me. My last name was Moll when I studied Biology from him at MLS in Saginaw, Mich. My email address is treehouse@pobox.com. Thanks very much! Obe

Raymond Jack, Peterhead, jake@peterhead.fsnet.co.uk

Just been looking at your web site, its brought back heaps of memories of when I stayed in the Ferry. I was born in Long Lane, moved to 74 Gray Street then back to Long Lane again number 168, went to school at the Eastern primary then Grove Academy leaving there in 1979. I stay in Peterhead now but hopefully some day i`ll return to stay in the Ferry, wonder how many of my old mates are still nocking about ???

Scott Ramsay, London, ramsays4@ntlworld.com

I wrote a year or so ago, saying I was Hugh Tully's grandson, and used to live in Brown Street while attending the Grove until 1983. A couple of people tried to contact me, but they typed my e-mail slightly wrongly. Anyone who remembers my Mum (Wilma Tully), or any of her family (Lorimars) I'd love to hear from you. Scott Ramsay

Gregor Mitchell, Vancouver Island, soccer.1@telus.net

born in Dundee at the Dri, lived in fonstane terr. in Monifieth until 5yrs old moved to 80 Monifieth Road in the ferry went to seaview then to grange primary when it opened, then to Monifieth high. I have a sister Mandy just got married this year at the Woodlands Hotel to Bryce Robertson. Hi to everyone that knows me GO CANUCKS

Elizabeth Lamont, Montreal PQ Canada, elizabeth.lamont@muhc.mcgill.ca

Hello. My mother, Mina Webster lived in Broughty Ferry until 1947, when she emigrated to Canada. She left behind a large family-9 brothers and sisters-at 119 King Street. Luckily, she took me there for holidays many times and so I have good memories of the Ferry.   I still have lots of relatives in Scotland, though most of my cousins left BF for other parts. My mother is still goiung strong in Montreal, well into her ninties.  Anyway just wanted to say hello and if anyone remebers the Websters, I'd love to hear form you and my mother would be delighted.  Elizabeth Lamont

Gemma Woods, Broughty Ferry, speckles2002@hotmail.com

Hi my name's Gemma Woods. I am a current 6th year prefect of Grove Academy and I'm researching it's history as a personal project.  I'm attempting to contact any former ppils of Grove Academy in the hope that they will share their memories with us. If you are, or know someone who is, a former pupil of Grove Academy caan you please contact me on speckles2002@hotmail.com  I'm very interested in how the school used to be and any information anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated, even if you feel it isn't relevant I'm sure to me it will me!!!  Thanks in advance  Gemma Woods

Bill Webster, Toronto - Canada, wwebster@look.ca

Glad to have found this web site, would appreciate any callers and especially any one who has info regarding an ancestor of mine called "Carver" Robbie, who had a boat called the "Carver" or the "Gleaner"  thanks

Jack, Corby, shejac@supanet.com

re cassandra's query on the crichton family dated july '02: i may be able to help.my mother was jessie bathie crichton(1905)she had sisters may & agnes , brothers lewis & jim , and their father was a publican(john o'groats bar , cowgate)also the grand master of st roque's masonic lodge.may never married but aunt aggie had 6 sons & a daughter....only 2 surviving to this day.this may interest you......her son ron's son (neil mcirvine) is a famous artist in melbourne....check his website....hope to correspond more if you see this..........regards from jack pearce

Nashwa, Sultanate of Oman, nashwar781@hotmail.com

hi, MARVELLOUS website. i was in UAD (uni of abertay dundee-2002,2003)and my friends and i always used to come down to broughty ferry. the images filled my eyes with tears!! looking at them brought back good memories. just want to wish the sweet people of Broughty ferry and the swans ofcourse!!!, long life, good health and happiness..:) have a nice day.

 

Elaina M Guzman, USA-Chicago, elainamg@aol.com

Broughty Ferry!  I visited some time in 99.  I stayed with the wonderful Stewart family of Broughty Ferry.  They were such hospitable people who showed me a wonderful time!  If they remember me I'd like to say thank you for the kindness you had shown me.  It will never be forgotten.  They dragged me to and fro to all the wonderous Scottish sites that I will cherish forever!  I hope you're doing well!  Take care!

Pam Hedden (nee Matthews), Ontario, Canada, pamh@sympatico.ca

When I was in school I began writing to a pen pal named Wilma Robb.  We wrote for many years until we were young women.  I lost touch with her about 20 years ago.  She lived in Broughty Ferry and had a younger brother named Dougal.  I was love to find her again.  If you know how to contact Wilma Robb or any of her family, please let me know.  Thank you.

Jane Stewart, Banchory, jane.stewart57@btopenworld.com

Hello all, great site,brings a tear to my eye. I went to the Eastern Primary school in Broughty in the 70's.I visit lots there is something very special about this place.I am at the moment trying to trace my family back in Broughty. They were fisher folk, Websters and Galls in particular. Also the fishing boat 'The Carver' and my G G Grandad 'Carver Robbie' in the 1880's should anyone have any info or ,should anyone be researching the same names/area please email me.               Bye  Jane Stewart

Cecil Smith, Reading Berks, cassmith@ntlworld.com

I lived in the Ferry from 1932 to 1937, going to the Grove Academy. I have just discovered school photos and can remember the names of most of the pupils.(probably all dead now, as I'm 81)We lived in Casle Terrace, no. 1. What a wonderful web-site.Goodfellows made our wedding cake in 1945, they were great friends of my Father Wonderful days. Cecil Smith

Rodney Walker, USA, rwalker01@charter.net

Just found your website. I was born in the Ferry in 1946 and lived on Church St, & Douglas & Angus before moving to the US in 1958. Greatest memories I have ever had were of my childhood, and the Broughty atmosphere. Wish I had never left.

Donald, Brisbane, Oz , duxdylanqc@hotmail.com

It's a great place, i never smiled as much in my life as i did, for two weeks with the people in broughty ferry,it was cold and wet and wonderful, what a feeling. i've read alot of what has already been contributed by other's responses, and you're right, i've got a lump in my throat too, and i only saw it for the first time in december 2002. ooh roo Donald

Fiona Macpherson, Texas  USA, lindaw45@livingston.net

Hello there and how are you all. My father was Stewart Macpherson a policeman in broughty ferry all his life. He was good friends with Johnny Gasparini who had the newspaper shop near the ship inn. Anyone who knows or remembers stewart I would love to talk to because I am out in Texas and miss home very much, we stayed at 433 king street (cottage place)from 1960 to 1980.please reply. p.s. is Mr. campbell still the minister of st. aidens church off of long lane? and does anyone know of melanie haefner from long lane???

Michael Arthur Gall, Chelsea London, weefatmike@aol.com

when I wrote to your site before I forgot to include my e-mail address and now clicking on the SEND button seems to be so difficult for me...so many memories of the ferry fill my troubled mind.  Right now I am remembering the old washroom in the back garden in fort street...     sorry I can't seem to focus long enough to record my thoughts. Maybe I will try again another day, thank you for your site.

Jean Kennedy Lander, Caterham SURREY, jklander@tiscali.co.uk

I was born in Broughty Ferry in 1924 went to the Western School had a teacher named Miss Murray whom I adored she could not do anything wrong, I used to go swimming of the piers and play along the grassy beach, reres hill and down the sands and of course when I got a bit older delivered papers in the morning from Bowmans in Brook Street, but it was a hard life I used to play with Mary Ritchie from Church Street though she was not in my class at schoolI still visit the Ferry was up there in June though I have only 2 sisters left now I still like to walk along Fisher Street by the way my name was Jean Strachan and I lived at 114 King Street so anyone remembers me I shall be pleased to hear from them.

Duncan Pringle, Canada, dunc.pringle@sympatico.ca

My Grand father, David Bannerman Pringle, was born on a farm in Broughty Ferry in 1904; the youngest of 16 children! As I'm searching my family tree, and know very little of his parents or siblings, I would greatly appreciate any assistance that past or present Broughty Ferry residents could provide. Cheers, Duncan

Charlie Webster, Bath Street, Broughty Ferry, cwebster@ic24.net

Hi there, It is facinating to read all these e-mails from former Ferryites especially those who are Beachies.  I have always lived in the Ferry.  First in Fisher Street (1947-75) then in Bath Street (1975---).  My later father, Chick Webster was a trawl fisherman for the greater part of his working life.  Laterly he worked with Dundee Harbour Trust and retired in 1963.  My later mother Tess (Angus) was a daughter of Nurse Clemintine Angus, a Ferry midwife. I'm session Clerk of St James (the Beachie) Kirk beside the life-boat shed and since May this year have become the local councillor for the Broughty Ferry ward on Dundee City Council. I'd be interested to hear from any ex-Ferryite of similar vintage to myself. Charlie Webster.

Ron Smart, St Albert, BC, Canada, smartres@telusplanet.net

I was born in Westbay Nursing Home on 28 Feb 48, and so consider myself a "beachie" Even though I just lived inside Monifieth at 12 S Balmossie St., most of my playtime as a youngster was on the beach in the "Ferry"    Many fond memories of going along the beachfront on my bike on Saturday mornings to the tent for the pictures and sing alongs of the "auld Scots songs".  The old Gene Autry and Flash Gordon serials.    Watching the old steam trains pull out of Broughty station (with the crossing gates closed to traffic of course)...next stop Monifieth, Barry Links, Carnoustie etc.   And then in the wink of an eye my folks decided to emigrate to Canada in 1959 and it was a thing of the past.  I made it back to Scotland for my 21st birthday 10 years later.  British Railways was still the filthiest railway in the world...but the trains ran on time.

Was at Seaview Primary School in Monifieth for Primary 1-4, Monifieth High School for Primary 5 and then Harris Academy in Dundee for part of Pri 5 before going tae Glasgow to catch the boat.  Miss Boath was the headmistress at Seaview and Mr Scrimgeour the headmaster at Monifieth in those years. You couldn't beat the ice cream cones in the Ferry.  Would love to hear from any old school chums from Monifieth and the Ferry...David Fiddes, Colin Cairnie, Billy Devlin, Barbara Cross, Shiela Walker(my Pri 1 sweetie).

Pat Brown Turner, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, mommat35@msn.com

Just wondering if there are any Brown's still living in Broughty Ferry area.  My dad was born there, Derby Place, and I am trying to find decendent's of his uncles and aunts. My great-grandparents were George and Catherine Campbell Brown.

Isabel Irving, Corby, Northants

Do you have an email address for Terry Gavagan who is listed in the Memories section. Terry used to stay at our place when he was  a student at Dundee Art college. He may remember the parties at Millars Wynd just off the Perth Road. I would love to get in touch with him or anyone who remembers the parties at Bob & Isabel's house.

Sharon, to Rosslyn dickinson, shazsweeney@yahoo.co.uk

My mothers family are from broughty ferry, and there name was knight from the sandy hole. as a child i went to the ferry for my holidays every year and still have a lot of family there. My Great Grandmother Elizabeth Knight she was called lizzy and my grandmother is Eliabeth Called betty.
I can remember the ice cream parlour and going fishing in a san pan for cockles with my uncle Tommy.

25/5/3 Terry Gavigan, Sydney,  Australia

Love your site. Great info. Terrific photos - any chance of additional new photos of Broughty. Have been visiting your site for a number of years now. Frequented Broughty in the early sixties. Lived in Dundee for a while. Hello to Fran Booth ex Dundee Art College student from Broughty Ferry and as always -Elisabeth Frew

21/5/3 Mrs. Heather Johnson, North Essex, England

My father lived in Broughty Ferry as a boy - came from Blairgowrie.   My grandfather worked as a Dray Man at a local brewery - Gray Brewery in Fort Street probably.!I don’t think there was another in B.F. ! If anyone has any information about the brewery, I would be very grateful to hear from you at !heatherannej@hotmail.com! Great site ..................     Heather

18/5/3 David Watson

Do you know anything about the Dundas Street Club ?

19/4/3 Sandra Wilkins (nee Orr)

I grew up in Ralston Place West Ferry with my parents Mary & Colin and sister Moira.  We emigrated to Tasmania in 1970 I attended Eastern Primary School and then Grove Academy.Just found this wonderful web site and YES I remember Goodfellows and Brook Street very well.My friend Denise Morgan lived in a flat above Ruthven P Smith Ironmongers store - spent many happy times there with her and her family Just wanted to say hello!   

23/3/3 michael arthur gall,  chelsea london

google search' broughty ferry' brought you up, wow what a great site. I was born in the ferry in 1949.An easter egg and a groviemug, then  dundee art school, then london new york, london, new york, paris, london, back to the ferry, back to london for now, anyway you get the picture. I was a beachie for sure, still am, always will be. Have three sons with Joyce macdonald who I met at dundee art school. My mind floods with memories of fort street, brown street, king street, dundas street, fisher street, the parkie, the long lane, my grannies house at 172. We lived at 47 fort street and grannie and grandad tom gall were at 45. Yes i remember hugh tully and sandy neave and koko knight and jonny gall's garage and dr dewars house where safeway is now, and tom petrie and hie beautiful garden, it was paradise to me, and duncan millars sunday school classes at st aidens,and john norries gang, he lived at the bottom of brown street and my grandads workshop in the long lane and my dad everywhere in my memory. well i have said enough for tonight, sleeping tonight will be difficult with love from wee mike

13/3/3  Roslyn Dickson, British Columbia, Canada

I stumbled on this site just today.  I was born in the Sandy Hole, nee Knight.  Lots of family still in Scotland.  Great site, thanks

11/3/3 Brian Leslie

Thank you for having such a good site, I also think it might be a good idea if there was a way of contacting old school friends through this site. Kind Regards PS. I left Grove Academy 1970Go to the Meeting Place in the Broughty Ferry home page..

31/1/3  jimdo@shaw.ca

My mothers name was Annie Dunn. She had a brother whose name was Willie  Robertson he lived in Broughty Ferry He and his wife had 13 children My  mother marriedwillie Young and they lived in Fife I am the youngest child Dorothy and I live in Canad I am looking for to meet up with some of my long lost cousins in Broughty Ferry and Dundee area.

10/12/2002 Bill Sullivan, Yarmouth Port, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

Hi, If anyone in Broughty Ferry knows of any Strachans or Lorimers still in the area I would love to hear from them. My family is from Broughty Ferry and I am going to visit this summer with my wife, nephew and niece. Our e-mail is minnetux@rcn.com . Thanks, Bill

31/12/2002, Bob Young, USA

My wife and I were in BF in spring of "98 for 3 weeks visiting our son, Eddie Young, wife Lori, and children Marcus and Megan.  They lived there for almost 5 years.  Anyway, we adored BF.  What a wonderful place!  I took walks down to the waterfront a few times and it was so much fun.  My wife, Gwen, would have gladly lived there - said so many times.  She is gone now, but I'm so glad she had that experience.  The people were warm and friendly.  You have much for which to be thankful!  There are people there now for whom I have warm memories.  I'll not name them but they will know who they are if they ever read this Site.  It is not likely that I will ever get back but I will never forget the Ferry and the sweet time we had there.  Bob Young, Shelbyville, Tennessee. USA.,

02/11/2002, Tony Meldrum, Aberdeen

Broughty ferry is one of the most beutiful villages i have ever come across in my 68 years of life. The houses are of the highest quality and the beaches are extrordanary. I love b.ferry !!!!

02/11/2002, Ian Macalindin, Derbyshire

Great site about a lovely town where I grew up 1950 - 1960. My father worked as a foreman joiner with Sampson's on Brook Street (at that time) and was well known in the town. We lived at the junction of Gray Street and Long Lane which was only two minutes walk from the harbour. The Tay pilot cutter used to tie up at the pier and it was an event every time it left to pilot another ship into the Tay. The magical view of the Tay at night with it's myriad of navigation buoy lights remains a happy memory. I guess the most poignant memories I have of the town is related to the Mona lifeboat disaster and the queues of mourners outside the church close to the lifeboat shed. A huge tragedy for such a small town.  Any old comrades from the Great Eastern primary school or anyone living in the town at the time are welcome to drop me a line at ian@cliffashlane.co.uk. Keep building on a great site!!!

01/11/2002, Myles Fitt

I saw your website of the Broughty Ferry and thought it to be wonderful. Please find attached two photographs of the Ferry (the other a view from Kingoodie, Invergowrie of sunset on the Tay) and I would be delighted if you could post them on the website (attributed to me please, if they are considered good enough obviously)!

07/08/2002, Alan J Hendry, Namibia

Hi there thanks for your reply this is another item you can possibly put in the newsletter; My father James P Hendry rebuilt the house’ Rocknowe ‘ on Reres Road just behind the park in the 1960s maybe someone knows who lives there now and can forward my details as I would really like to give the present owners some of the history on the property, and possibly they could send me some photographs as I don’t have any . Thanks again and keep up the good work!  Aye yours  PS Hope you enjoy the photograph from my front garden!

03/08/2002,  Chris Kennedy

Firstly, what a charming website. It has come to my attention, (as all things do, late and by accident) that my grandfather may have been born in Broughty Ferry.His name was Peter Creighton Kennedy. His birthday may be August 29th, around 1870.For family history I am trying to find his birth certificate.  If you would be so kind as to direct me where my search should begin I would be most appreciative. I am writing you from California, (a displaced Canadian) so my resources here are limited to the Internet indeed: cpk@cox.net

02/03/2002, Mark, Holland

Hiya, Just found this site. I've lived in the Ferry for a wee while and had a practical placement in Dundee. I've stayed in the big house on Victoria Road. Just a great place to be and i'll be back this summer. Just want to see the ferry again. Love the site. Cheerio from holland.

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.

So there it is. My daytrip to Broughty Ferry. I still have many questions as I say to be answered and would love to hear from anyone who can give me any information on the Gilroys, Castleroy or anything to do about the history of the Gilroys in the area and the houses, factories, servants, friends, etc. that affected their day to day lives. From what I can gather originally there were 3 Gilroy brothers who were originally spinners of flax and tow in a handloom factory in Rosebank in 1848 before they moved onto Tay works in Lochee Rd. I think the brothers were possibly

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

To Mr. Buttars,

 

Thank you so much for the information that you sent us about Carbet Castle.   My family was amazed when we went to your geneology site.  My great-grandfather is Francis Grimmond (fourth generation).  We can add to your chart and now we have eight generations of Grimmonds! ( Now we spell it Grimond )

We live in Canada and it means so much to us to be able to trace our family roots back home to Scotland.

My grand-father died when my dad was a young boy, many questions were left unanswered.  This means more to us than you can imagine!

Yours Truly,

Christopher Grimond

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

I lived in Broughty Ferry from 1980 - 1983 before moving to South Africa, I attended Craigiebarns Primary School and would love to hear from anyone who remembers me.  My memories of Broughty Ferry are of wonderful summer days spent playing at Dawson Park, these memories are especially bittersweet since it is not safe for my own son to play in the parks here in Sunny South Africa, I feel that he is being cheated.  The wonderful Sundays when all of us kids used to meet at the bottom of the road with our bikes and packed lunches and go off riding for the entire day.  I lived in a beautiful cul-de-sac (Langholm Gardens) where almost every house had children, oh the summer nights spent playing at the top of the road until late at night.  I just wish that our children here in this country could experience the freedom that we did in Beautiful Broughty Ferry.

Finding this site has brought back some of the most wonderful times that I had while living in the Ferry from 1981 - 1983. We need a school directory to enable people to contact old school mates. Thank you.

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

Hi my name is Heather Hoare originally Heather Lindsay my mother was born in Broughty Ferry and is a member of the Gall family....I have cousins Norrie , Arthur , Linda, Shona, Martin and Peter all of the Gall family I would like to know if anyone knows of them...I lived in Dundee until I was seven and moved to Melbourne Australia with my parents in 1964 and would like to know how to contact any of my cousins if anyone out there know them......My parents names Margaret Gall and David Lindsay.....please help me find my relatives as my parents have recently passed away......Thanks ...Heather

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

I was born in broty ferry 1922 stayed at 49 Brown St.with my parents and 5 brothers and sisters in a two roomed house,now demolished.My father was largely unemployed during this period,because of the depression.He served during WW1 in the Royal Artillery for the whole of the war on active service in France,discharged with the usual medals and good conduct certificate he returned to a land fit for heroes and the dole.I well remember going to Ingramsand Goodfellows the bakers with my brother with a couple of pillow slips to contain unsold bread and cakes,what luxury. We enjoyed ourselves without the need to vandalise,although we did steal apples and pears from the gardens in West Ferry and Castleroy.I was educated at the Western which I loved(George Watson,who drowned on the lifeboat accident was in my class) At 11 yrs I was sent to the Eastern,which I loathed.I spent most of my time playing truant.I decided at 13 yrs I had had enough of education and left to take up employment.I carried on performing many menial tasks until the age of 18 when I joined the RAF,I received a first class education in Electronics and spent most of my service studying I served in Iceland,Middle East,Far East and Singapore on demob.after a period at home at 49 Brown St.

On my return I decided that my future lay outwith the FerryI applied or a job in Civil Aviation passed an interview in London,was accepted and told my initial posting would be to Southampton.I received a telegram to say"report to Aberdeen" which I duly did.I was sent,after a time to our College at Bletchley Park to attend a 3 months course on a particular nav.aidwhich was to be fitted at a number of sites one of which was Craigowl Hill Nr.Tealing.I spent a very happy two years there,living with my grannie at 273 King St.working shifts of 24 hrs.duration attending college in Dundee,going to the Rep.Listening to The Scottish Orchestra it came to the end with a vengeance I was transferred to Prestwick and from there to aTransmitting station midway between Stranraer and Portpatrick and from there to various short stays at stations in Sumburgh,Orkney,Wick and was informed that I would be due to go to a remote station in 6 months time I had booked a holiday on my motor bike to France Switzerland and Italy on completion I was told that my remote station duty had been brought forward and I was to proceed poste haste to the Island of Lewis for three months,a fate worse than death

I remained extending my stay at Mangersta Radio Station for 2 yrs.I found the work fascinating and challenging,the purpose of the equipment was to assist flight over uncharted oceans,it gave me a good grounding in administration and widened my tehnical knowledge,I returned to my permanent  station outside Stranraer. I applied fo a transfer to Stornoway Airport.which  I received.I remained at Stornoway for the remainder of my career and as I thought the importance of the area regarding the increase in  passenger carrying aircraft and military movements was enormous .My responsibilities increased my salary increased,I was responsible fo two radar stations,a fully equipped emergency instrumented runway capable of automatic landings,automatic approach aids,all demanding a high degree  of expertise in addition I was responsible for Coastguard equipment covering the North West coast.A far cry from my fathers reward after his more unrewarding service I nearly forgot my name is William Malcolm Smith.Ex Ferry lad.....

 

Sally King, USA 27/04/01

I was delighted to come across your Web page.  My grandfather, Douglas Rodger, was born and raised in Broughty Ferry.  A little bit about granddad:  Born 1894, joined the Fife & Forfar Yeomanry to fight in WWI--after the seige at Gallipoli he was assigned to the Blackwatch, after WWI worked for the Dundee Courier as an illustrator, left in 1922 for USA, came through Ellis Island and ended up in San Francisco, where he worked as a political cartoonist for the San Francisco Bulletin that became the San Francisco News, he wed Alice Victoria Kennedy and they produced my mother, Janet, and her two sisters Margie and Mary.  He passed on in 1962 (approx.).  I never got to know him personally and appreciate seeing pictures on your Web page of where he was born and raised.  One day I hope to visit and see your town.

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

Hello From Montreal , Canada,

My name is Nancy Coupar and I was brought up in Broughty Ferry.  Finally , after seventy years , my daughter and I visited my home town.  That was five years ago already.  It is wonderful to be able to see the familiar sights again on this web sight.  Thank you for these pictures!

     

Aileen Mc Donagh, USA 07/04/01

Broughty Ferry at Home, It was with some interest that I found this site accidently and it is so interesting.   In the process of going through your site I noticed a message from a Daphney {Smith} Davis of Roma New York, and was delighted to find out her mother lived in King Street Broughty Ferry. I have been searching my family tree from here in Michigan U.S.A. and everything I have managed to come up with so far, have been Broughty Ferry, Monifeith , Dundee My Grandfather was born at King Street, and some of the other siblings, my great Grand Parents were Married in Broughty Ferry, and the family name was Smith, also Cook also Weymes.   I don't know if you have a message column for poeple searching for family connections or not. it would be great to have such a service for people searching in your area.   I have never been in Broughty Ferry, but will make it a must next time I visit Scotland, I had already made up my mind to spend a lot of time in that area, because of the family. I Would like to contact this Daphney Smith Davis if possible, My E Mail is Ganarah@home.com if it is possible to give her the information I waould appreciate it  Having the same name as the family there is possibility of some connection.  My own name is Aileen Mc Donagh originally from Helensburgh,   

Thanking you for listening

Sounds like a good idea to get a page for meeting or getting in touch with people. I will try to set one up shortly 

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
:

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

My mother hailed from Dundee and my father from Coventry (its a long story), and my Auntie and Uncle (Joe & Muriel Wood) lived at Ferry Road, Monifieth. Every school summer holiday and some Easter's were spent staying at their house or my grans in Catherine St Dundee.

All have passed away now but still I bring my wife back to Broughty Ferry, and she like me will probably never fail to love the area and the people. Childhood memories of "mealie puds & rubbarb tarts" can thankfully still be re-lived but now as well we can enter some of the good local pubs.

I remember being a bit of a train anorak at the time standing next to the old swing style level crossing gates in the sixties and watching and hearing them clatter shut, as the evening fish train from Arbroath steamed past, the smell of fish lingered on for some time afterwards! Then we walk back to Ferry road via The Esplanade and in Summer more than likely there was a fair a ride on the dodgems (which is a kin to driving in Birmingham !) and back to the house feeding the swans off the bridge close to Balmossie Halt.

 Daytimes would be spent on the beach making sand towns and castles or once I was accepted adventures out with the local lads (there was no silly Scottish?English rivalry there) just kids having fun without adults filling their heads. We would walk the old railway between Broughty Ferry and Forfar or go upto Buddon or play putting. No video games!

Ah well, better go before this gets all to sentimental !!! I have many more memories and will perhaps, send you some more, of course there was no "E mail" in those days, so I suppose somethings have improved for the better, but hopefully Broughty Ferry will stay as it is unspoilt and its inhabitants warm and friendly always with a hello or a smile.

Perhaps it would be possible to use your site to locate anyone whom knew Joe and Muriel ?

Best Wishes for now, we may be back this year........so get the rubbarb tarts and mealie puds in!

 

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. . 

 

 

ADD YOUR MEMORIES TO THIS PAGE 

If you have a memory about Broughty Ferry, whether 80 years ago or just last week, please share it with all of us. It might be eating a Visocchi's cone on a hot Saturday or walking the dog on rainy Sunday on the beach. Perhaps its old school teachers or new friends met on holiday.

Share your story with us. We'd love to here about it. Go to our Contact Us page and send us an email or fill in our form.

 

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