 |  | | | Leaving Scotland | There are 22 messages in this section. |
Gary Collins from California. Posted 18 Jun 2002.
I was born in Glasgow in the late 1960s, I left Scotland in 1985 and hit sunny California. Funny all I ever wanted was a better life for myself. I was always told I would be nothing mostly by my teachers in Baillieston, Glasgow. What an impacted that had. Now I am a successful 34 year old man with three kids, but i miss my Glasgow and the good old days that are all gone... | | |
|  | Alex Currie. Posted 19 Jun 2002.
I was born in Paisley in 1922, and it was a very different place then, Paisley was a large town which seemed like a very small village, very prosperous with lots of industry, Coats's mill, Clarks mill, four or five fairsized engineering companys, quite a different place than it is now and although it was a large town I was very proud to boast that I knew every street name in the town, but I cant say the same today.I emigrated to Canada in 1950 and have had a good life here, but the many memories of Paisley are still with me. If anyone is interested in sharing some of these memories I would be very pleased to compare our remembrances of the town.
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| | Anne Brown (nee Blair). Posted 27 Jun 2002.
I was born in Falkirk in 1950, grew up and married there in 1970. My husband and I emigrated to Canada in 1974 in search of a better life. Canada was very good to us and our two children were born there - it is a wonderful country to live in and the people are very friendly, courteous and considerate of others. For employment reasons we have since moved to Houston, Texas. Life in Scotland seems like a hundred years away but it still has a place in my heart and will always be "home". Scottish folks are very unique and I guess I'll always be a "Falkirk Bairn"! I'd love to hear from any other Falkirk Bairns out there. Awrabest!
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| | David. Posted 6 Jul 2002.
Hi to you Alex, this is one buddie chatting to another. (You still support St. Mirren, the old black and white??) I was born in the town in 1952, stayed just up from the ANCHOR MILLS, went to the old south and west schools. What about you??? And the old River Cart is still there. Love to hear from you Alex, Dave.
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| | David. Posted 25 Jul 2002.
Alex, you say you had ice cream at Cardosi's cafe. That cafe was in Causeyside st. Paisley. It must have been Nardini's cafe that you went to in Largs. How was the bus trip from Paisley to Largs? Was it full of dancers going to the moorings, was there a sing song on the way back? Do you remember Burtons tailors at the cross, was it there when you left? The major cinema for the town has moved out to Linwood near Ferguslie.
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| | Alex. Posted 13 Jul 2002.
Hi David,you mentioned the old West school and the South school.I went to the West school until I was eleven and then went to Camphill,which at that time was considered the best school in Paisley,and I must say thst having compared the knowledge that some of the pupils in Canada have aquired after many more years schooling than I had,Camphill compares very well with any of them.You don't say where you moved to or how much you liked it,maybe you could let me know more about that subject,and any more memories you have of Dear auld Paisley.
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| | David. Posted 19 Jul 2002.
Hi Alex, what was Paisley like when you were a boy? What part of Paisley did you come from? Were the La Scala and Picture House cinemas there then? In the High Street. Do you remember Gilmour and Canal St. railway stations and the Abbey? The old soapworks and boatworks on Lonend. Do you remember the Royal Alexandria Infirmary hospital near the South school? They built a new one close to the West school in the 70s.
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| | David. Posted 18 Jul 2002.
Hi Alex, I left Paisley in 1976 and after moving around various towns have finally settled in Largs. I was born in Mill St. Paisley has grown since you left with large housing estates built in the mid 50s. Do you remember Barshaw and Brodie parks? Glasgow airport was built about a mile from Love St. in 1966 (it's massive now!) My parents and brother are still there. Do you remember the bonnie wee well on the hills above Paisley? The mills are all closed these days.
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| | Alex Currie. Posted 22 Jul 2002.
When I left Paisley in 1950, there were eight cinemas. Starting from the west end, the first one was the Westend, the next one was the Regal then the Picture House complete with an organ, then the La Scala, the Astoria, which was nicknamed the bughouse (I don't know why!!!) then the Kelburne and in the south side of the town beyond causeside was The Alex Cinema, I missed the Palladium which was down the pen just before New Street. The last time I was in Paisley which was about seven years ago there was only one cinema left,The Kelburne, and it was closed for renovations. I heard they were going to make it into two or three smaller cinemas, but I don't know if they ever finished it. As I said in my original letter to the forum, Paisley was a very different place as far as industry was concerned, but the centre of the town hasn't changed much. I have been home quite a few times over the years, so I am familiar with most of the changes in the outskirts, some for the better and some real disaster areas. I have to be very careful in choosing my words to convey what I think of Paisley today, if you send me your email address I could say much more about it without causing any ill feeling about my opinion.
I have spent quite a lot of time in Largs over the years, we used to go to the Moorings for dining and dancing, and to Cardosi's for an ice cream cone, I may have the name Cardosi's wrong, so you can let me know if I have it right or wrong.The last time I was in Largs was about ten years ago, so I guess it has changed a lot as well, although I doubt if it has changed a gret deal. The memories of life in Scotland will always be with me, so if you can think of anything else I will be pleased to comment.
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| | Tom Moir from New Zealand. Posted 25 Jul 2002.
I left Scotland some two and a half years ago. I remember leaving Paisley with a temperature of -5C in January and arriving in Auckland, New Zealand a few days later
with a temparature of 25C! I have never worn any of my Scottish winter clothes since I got here.
I married here and have a six month old son. Life is good. I miss the historic part of Scotland. Everything here is relatively new or looks new. I don't miss most of the food.
I definitely miss the company of other Scots - the patter!
Oh for a Tunnocks caramel wafer!
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| | David. Posted 25 Jul 2002.
Hi Tom, how are you settling in over there? You will be missing the rain and wind over Paisley right now. 25th July and it feels like February (sitting here munching a caramel log washed down with Irn Bru and watching a Billy Connolly video, bliss ha ha!) I had a few chances to emigrate to Australia. Sometimes I wish I had moved over there as the weather here is worsening year to year. It's the warmth and the banter of Scottish people I would miss if I left. What is it like to start out in a new country? What are the things you miss about Scotland (as well as Tunnocks) hope to hear from you again Tom.
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| | Eleanor Lynch from Pollock. Posted 7 Nov 2002.
I left Parkhead in 1964. Came to California. Rest of family still in Scotland. I had to agree with Tom Moir (New Zealand) I would sell my soul for a Tunnocks Caramel Wafer. Also the morning rolls, with square sausage. Only thing I want to eat when I go back to visit.
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| | Ewan Cramb from Bangor Pennsylvaina. Posted 25 Nov 2002.
I came to the US in 1983 when I was 23, from Stirling , even though I have'nt been back since (shame on me) I still miss a guid pint of tennents lager and stoppin' at the chippy on the way hame fea the pub for a steak pie supper and a bottle of Irn Bru for the mornin' drooch!
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| | Debra Hanson. Posted 30 Jun 2002.
Through the wonders of technology I have just been (via the internet) watching clips from BBC Scotland on Film, "The Disappearing Island" 1964 - "A moving film documenting the decline in the population of the Island of Barra".
The clip which caused tears to cascade down my face was entitled "Children leaving Barra" in which an aging crofter and his wife - Mr and Mrs Galbraith - talk of their struggle as crofters and the effect of this migration on their family life. The camera briefly pans the interior of their home and settles on a photograph of 3 of their sons - all of whom have left to work and make lives elsewhere. One of them ("Donald, a Harbourmaster in Liverpool" - actually that should be "Ronald") is my father and Mr and Mrs Galbraith are my late grandparents.
My grandfather died the year after this film was made. I cannot describe the effect of seeing this footage other than to say that I am deeply grateful to be able to'bequeath' it to my son (Duncan age 7).
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| | Dave. Posted 6 Jul 2002.
Hi Gary, how are you? I think you are the lucky one here . Reading your mail I think you have made the right move. You have all the sunshine, 3 kids and a good job. (Are you sure you wanna come back here???) P.S. I will send you over a pint of Tennents to make you feel at home. And a video of Taggart. Bye for now, Davie.
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| | Peter MacKay from New Zealand. Posted 14 Feb 2005.
Gary, I agree with you about Glasgow - there's nothing like it. I have lived in NZ for 14 years now, and I detest the place. It has caused me all kinds of mental problems I never had before. I am always borrowing Scottish books from the library. To see Glasgow Green again, or Arcadia Street (Bridgeton), or Peel Glen Road (Drumchapel), or to hear Francie and Josie is like winning the lottery to me. - Peter
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| | Norman Carr from Oakville,Ontario, Canada. Posted 11 May 2005.
I left Paisley in 1967, but have fond memories of the town and my relatives. I went to Camphill Senior Secondary 1962-1967 and after re-establishing contact after 37 years decided to write a humorous novel about growing up in the sixties in Paisley. I would love to share and unlock the memories of the time with you.
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| | Bryson Tait from Durban, South Africa. Posted 14 Nov 2005.
Norman, I am also a 'Paisley Buddy', born in King St in 1943, attended Camphill from 1956 to 1960 and left for SA in 1976. I'd be very interested in reading your novel. Please provide the book's name, publisher etc.
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| | Claus Boyle from Paisley. Posted 13 Jan 2006.
I went to the East Primary then Foxbar then West Junior secondary then transferred to Camphill Senior Secondary from 1962-65 so our paths may have crossed. I have many good memories of the school and also Paisley which I would be glad to share with anyone who was interested.
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| | Duncan Thompson from Guelph, Canada. Posted 14 Mar 2006.
Born in 47, lived on Schaw Road, Gallowhill, went to Abercorn and Camphill in the 60's. I would love to talk to anyone that remembers me - email me at duncan47@sympatico.ca
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| | Allan Cameron Haggerty from Australia. Posted 3 May 2006.
I wish that I could communicate with other people I went to school with. I feel a wee bit daft. I am so happy to find this site.
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| | David Dunlop from Paisley. Posted 3 May 2006.
My mum went to Camphill senior High, we are all still in Paisley but thought you might remember her. Nan (Annie) McNaughton. The funny thing is her brother now lives just outside Durban he went around the eary 60's and still live there, Donnie McNaughton he works at Ulster Carpets. Please reply
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