Growing up in Dunblane in the 1970s our holidays were only ever in the summer. Easter and October school holidays were stay at home : play wi yer pals doon the Lechills or in the school field or in the skinny woods behind Bruce Avenue. October fortnight was tattie howking for many bairns. I wentContinue reading “'70s Summer Holidays”
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Dunblane SC Amateurs :formed 2016
Dunblane SC Amateurs were formed in 2016. Saturday 4 June 2016 to be precise, at the India Gate restaurant. The night was intended to be a reunion of the ’96/97s team, a year after our last match, a 3-2 triumph to win the cup at the Recs, Alloa. It ended up alot more than that.Continue reading “Dunblane SC Amateurs :formed 2016”
Dunblane Bypass
The Dunblane bypass was opened in 1991. Hard to imagine Dunblane without it now but long ago all the traffic heading up and down the A9 would thunder through Dunblane. There were fatalities in Dunblane, perhaps that brought it to a head. There were protests too. I recently met a lady who had protested. “IContinue reading “Dunblane Bypass”
Gran
My gran was born in 1897. My mothers mother, her name was Anne Hall. I know this because my niece has done research into our family tree. I also know because at Dunblane Primary School in the 1970s my teacher asked us to bring in something Victorian. I went home, told my mum and sheContinue reading “Gran”
Hampden in the '80s
Hampden is iconic. Though I never saw a match with crowds of over 100,000 I did witness some amazing Scotland matches in the 1980s, all whilst standing on the terracing in the Rangers end. No seats in those days, just folk packed in behind the goals. Stories tell of drunken folk pishing down the backContinue reading “Hampden in the '80s”
Family Traditions
Our family is odd. We have strange code words only we can decipher, family traditions only we can understand. Maybe we’re not odd, maybe every family has the same (but different) quirks ? For example, mum used to chap our door and walk in, shouting “Yoohoo!”. A stranger may think this is odd but IContinue reading “Family Traditions”
Still "Aff It"
So its Day 55 and ah’m still aff it, actually enjoying being aff it. At first I had sugar cravings and would eat chocolate or ice cream. If there was football on tv,I would get a couple cans of diet Irn Bru in as a substitute. It was indeed my other national drink. Going outContinue reading “Still "Aff It"”
Pabbay 2011
The lads resumed work at Pabbay Cottage in Spring 2011, erecting the timber frame round the outside walls. Tricky work as the stone walls were not on the plumb to say the least. The floor insulation was laid, underfloor heating pipes on top and then the screed was poured.The first floor joists went in, thenContinue reading “Pabbay 2011”
Suni Duni late'70s
I grew up in Dunblane in the 1970s: a very small person at Dunblane Primary School, I was second youngest in the class. We lived in Murdoch Terrace just across from the school field. Beyond that was hillside: no Wallace Road, no Anchorscross, no bypass ! Just coos I think. And maybe a bull …Continue reading “Suni Duni late'70s”
Alzheimer's
Mum was a primary school teacher, a very good one I’m told. Even when she retired she never stopped teaching, telling the grandchildren stories, pointing things out to them on walks. She had an active mind, loved reading. Later mum had Alzheimer’s disease, like her own mother. She would wander up Dunblane High Street severalContinue reading “Alzheimer's”
