A Harris Girl taken in the Overgate shopping center which is located
between the Old Overgate and the Nethergate – I don’t believe I ever
looked this good – coming from my old school, I’m sure she’s getting a
great education
A view of the Howff graves. The children were really taken by the number
of seagulls in Dundee; this one was stamping his feet on the wet earth to
attract worms to the surface. Never know what you’ll see or learn during a
wee walk around Dundee.
James Chalmers grave in the Dundee Howff, across from DCThomson’s and the
Post Office
There’s a story that Grissel Jaffrie, the last woman to
be burned as a witch in Dundee also lies in the Howff – I wonder if that’s
true. The other Howff, across from the Breadalbane on Constitution Road
was turned into a parking lot. Sad.
The brae leading down to where the Palace Theater used to be – I spend a
very happy childhood under the influence of my granny working at the
Palace and feeling a part of that variety theatre world of comedians,
chorus girls, and cleaning women.
A Dundee Door on North Tay Street – I believe this was where our family
doctor, Elizabeth MacVicar, lived and had her surgery. I think her father
was also a doctor – reminds me of that BBC show "Bramwell" that was on
American Masterpiece Theater on PBS – perhaps my memories of Dr MacVicar
was what made that programme so enjoyable for me.
The Old Steeple in the Nethergate at the City Churches – I asked a
passerby for directions and mentioned "Nethergate" – he looked at me like
I was nuts, maybe that name isn’t used any more. Anyhow, I never climbed
it when I lived in Dundee and didn’t attempt it as a visitor this time.
Adriana and Xylia were rightly shocked when I told them about General
Monck sacking Dundee for Cromwell and burning women and children alive in
there who had gone into the Church for refuge.
Had a nice discussion with the girls about ethics and
the old ideas of churches being sacred places and what can happen in times
of war.
The Queen’s Hotel, still standing, at the top of the Palace Brae in the
Nethergate – whatever it might be called now.
Xylia, Nan and Me in front of what we used to call the Reference Library,
but is now McManus Galleries and Museum – Rabbie Burns sits in front and
Queen Victoria ("young Vic" my Granny used to call her) is at the back of
the building, which is the main entrance to the wonderful museum Dundee
now houses there.
The nursery rhyme clock in the shopping center that replaced the Wellgate.
However, Markies still stands in the same spot, across from Tesco, which
took Woolie’s space. But there is still the food department downstairs in
Markies and they still sell Bramwell apple tarts like my Granny used to
buy on a Monday pension day – I know because I bought one of those pies
for auld lang syne.
