The eccentric Edinburgh character 'Monkey Mary' who had a story to tell
Edinburgh is no stranger to an odd character or two, and a firm local favourite over the years was Mary Dunlop and her animals.
Mary lived in the Grassmarket, and entertained children in the city with mechanical barrel organ - pulled by her beloved pony, Smokey. If that doesn't sell you, she was also known to be accompanied by a real capuchin monkey who was along for the ride.
The trio wowed locals with their musical interludes, and were often seen outside the St Giles' Cathedral. In post-war Edinburgh, Mary and her pals were a common sight in the '40s, '50s and '60s.
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Mary became such an iconic figure in the city that a memorial plaque was laid for her in Rutland Square. While she was still alive, the barrel organ needed to be fixed - with a local club fundraising for the repairs so that her tunes could continue to entertain.
After Mary passed away in 1966, Smokey was taken in by the SSPCA to a centre in Balerno. Their barrel organ can be seen today in the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile.
Edinburgh World Heritage said: "Throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s Mary Dunlop was a well-known West End character, along with her white pony 'Smoky' pulling her barrel organ on a small cart.
"She brought music to the doorstep of many residents in the streets, and was especially loved by local children who nicknamed her 'Monkey Mary'. In 1958 a major overhaul of the barrel organ was needed, and a group of West Enders clubbed together to fund its repair.
"When Mary died in 1966 Smokey went into retirement in an SSPCA centre in Balerno. Mary's barrel organ can still be seen today in the Museum of Childhood."
After sharing her story on social media, Edinburgh World Heritage saw dozens of comments with locals remembering Mary.
Bill Harris commented: "I remember her well into the early '50s, around where we used to stay."
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Mairghread Ellis added: "I remember when she was an old lady. She used to be outside my old school in Queen Street, with a white pony."
Morag Small said: "She used to play in Queen Street, outside my school. Teachers would get raging."
Lizzie McDougall commented: "Oh the barrel organ lady! I loved her.
"She used to come round with her pony, who I adored."
The image of Mary Dunlop was provided by the Living Memory Association.
They are a free, drop-in museum with sessions open to visitors fortnightly on Tuesdays at 1pm and weekly on Thursdays at 11am.
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