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The Courier
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
The pubs and landlords who were the heart and soul of Dundee's schemes in 1978
These Dundee landlords were pulling pints and calling last orders in the city's scheme pubs in 1978. The faces behind the bar will be familiar to a generation of drinkers. Local pubs have been the lifeblood of Dundee's housing estates for generations. They brought new neighbours and strangers together. Some of the boozers in 1978 included the Charleston Bar, the Claverhouse Bar, the Dolphin Bar in Fintry, the Planet in Lochee and The Rock in Menzieshill. Many of these names can still be found today. Some disappeared through the years. A pint of lager cost 39p in 1978. On tap you would have found the likes of Diamond Heavy, Harp Lager, Guinness, McEwan's Lager, McEwan's Export, Skol Lager and Tennent's Lager. What was your tipple? Pubs were open in Dundee from 11am to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 11pm. They were also open on a Sunday following a change to licensing laws. The Sporting Post produced a weekly feature in 1978 called Mine Host, which gave the public the chance to get to know some of the publicans who were front of house. So who was serving up drinks and conversation at your local? Bill and Zena Wallace were running the Admiral Bar in Camperdown Road. The couple took over the Ardler pub in 1974. Bill ran the pub and Zena was in charge of the food. The menu ranged from pie and chips to a full meal including steak. The décor throughout the lounge and public bar was of a 'seafaring nature'. Even the couple's Labrador puppy was called Nelson. The 'most striking feature' was a ship's mast in the centre of the bar. Lighting was provided by a row of ship's lanterns. The lounge included a stage and room for dancing. The Esplin family had been performing at the Admiral for 13 years. They provided music and dancing. Customers were encouraged to join in at all musical events. Bill said it was the customers themselves who made up the character of the pub. 'Good customers make a good pub,' he said. Tommy Martin was mine host of the Amber Lounge in Lochee High Street. The footballer who played for Dundee, Dundee United, Forfar and Oxford United had turned his hand to a wide variety of careers after hanging up his boots. These included being a driving instructor and clock importer. He ran the adjacent Golden Egg restaurant and opened the pub in 1976. 'Former Dundee United boss Jerry Kerr suggested that I might consider opening up a pub in this development,' said Tommy. 'After some consideration, I realised it was a good idea. 'If you don't try something different, you'll never discover whether you'll be a success. 'The success of this, my latest venture, has been way above my expectations.' Tommy suggested the 'subtly-decorated elegance of the lounge' created the atmosphere of a private club 'where people can relax and feel at ease'. The Amber Lounge offered a comprehensive daily menu of 26 dishes. Top price was £1 for sirloin steak. Drinks were 25p during 6.30pm to 7.30pm happy hour. It was an effort to attract customers earlier. John McKenzie was serving at the Balmore Bar in Dura Street. He had been there since 1977. John started working in the licensed trade in 1942, before working for 20 years at the Dundee Caledon shipyard as a stager. He left in 1968 and returned to bar work at the Nine Maidens and the Downfield Hotel before becoming a manager with Scottish and Newcastle. John said the Stobswell boozer was one of the best he had worked at. 'It's basically a man's pub,' he said. 'Somewhere a chap can come for a good pint and a good blether.' The Balmore had just started bar meals in 1978 and John said the main topic of discussion over lunch was Scotland's prospects in the World Cup. The less said about that, the better… The team that had been given an open-top bus tour before they even left, came home from Argentina to an empty airport after a debacle of a tournament. Mine host at the Golden Pheasant in Ardler was John Conacher. The advertising feature described the boozer as 'friendly, lively and novel'. John and his wife Irene were relative newcomers to the licenced trade. The couple spent seven years in South Africa where John worked in the building trade. 'The weather was great,' he said. 'There were many good things about the way of life out there. 'We left because of the political situation – and, after all, there's no place like home.' They returned to Dundee and took over the Glengarry in August 1977. Customers like to see the same faces and good service,' Dundee pub landlord Jeff Stewart. It was John's brother, George, who suggested they start in pub management. George was manager of The Gaiety. They stayed three months at the Glengarry before moving to the Golden Pheasant. The pub was known for its skittle alley in the basement in the 1960s. Darts was now the main sport played in the pub. The Lochee Darts Associated hosted many events in the basement. A slimming club also used the lounge for afternoon exercise sessions. Jeff Stewart was landlord at The Three Barrels in Strathmartine Road. Jeff left Harris Academy and got a job in a lemonade factory, taking the tops off empty bottles, before serving his apprenticeship as an oil tanker navigator. He gave up the sea after failing an eye test. Despite having no family background in the licensed trade, he gained experience in several pubs, including the Occidental where he met his wife, Geraldine. Scottish and Newcastle loaned him £9,000 to buy the Hilltown boozer in 1967. Meals were served at lunchtime and in the evening. Jeff was a football fan and he travelled to Argentina in a pair of Stewart tartan trousers in June 1978 to watch Scotland's ill-fated World Cup campaign. It was a busy summer. A games room was built and the public bar was extended in July 1978. Two dart boards with electronic scoreboards and 10 tables for dominoes were added. A patio opened where you could enjoy a drink in good weather. Jeff's philosophy on running a good pub revolved around his staff. 'Customers like to see the same faces and good service,' he said. 'To get this you need happy and reliable staff.' There were so many pubs to visit in 1978. So which scheme boozer would you have decided to go to?
The Courier
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Meet the landlords pulling pints at Fife's pubs in 1978
Raise a glass and celebrate these landlords who were serving up frothy ale and conversation in Fife pubs in 1978. There were so many pubs to choose from. Where would you have gone? The Clipper Lounge at the Cutty Sark in Kirkcaldy? Maybe you would have enjoyed a pint of Diamond Heavy and toasted mince sandwiches 'with or without curry' in the Bruce Tavern in Dunfermline? Or enjoyed the 'subdued atmosphere and elegance' of The Cottars in Rosyth? The Sporting Post produced a weekly feature called Mine Host which gave the public the chance to get to know some of the Fife landlords who were front of house. Some of these faces will be familiar to a generation of drinkers. Who was pulling the pints in your local in 1978? Davie Westwood bought the Cutty Sark Bar in Kirkcaldy in 1971. The pub opposite Kirkcaldy Harbour was completely decorated in a nautical style, which included a specially designed carpet in the Clipper Lounge. 'We have tried to get a seafaring atmosphere in the place and on the walls we have large portraits of the old tea clipper herself,' said Davie. All around the bar were items from ships ranging from steering wheels and lifebelts to a very old ship's bell which was used to ring time every night. Davie was president of Kirkcaldy District Licenced Trade Association. 'We were one of the first pubs in Kirkcaldy to be granted a meals extension and our lunches and evening meals have proved very popular with customers,' he said. 'We have regular outings with the customers and on Sundays we have sports events which include the inevitable darts and dominoes.' Wife Myra ran the kitchen and was seen 'with a cheery smile behind the bar'. May Allan was landlord of the Bruce Tavern in Dunfermline. She took charge in 1976 when mother-in-law Peg Allan died, and she presided over an all-female staff drawn from family and friends. The Sporting Post said May dispensed 'ready wit and foaming ale with equal grace'. Bruce Tavern patrons 'enjoyed lunchtime or evening snacks that include such tasty items as toasted mince sandwiches with or without curry, whole wheat rolls with either cheese or ham, and in the summer months the full platter of the ploughman's lunch'. The gantry mirrors were engraved with the names of historic ales and brewers. A darts team competed in local tournaments and Bruce Tavern FC proved themselves formidable opponents in the Dunfermline Sunday football league. She was married to Robert with two teenage sons and a grown-up daughter. Archie Watson was landlord of The Cottars in Rosyth. The pub was opened in the heart of a housing estate in 1975. The 'subdued atmosphere and elegance' was popular with 'young married couples'. Archie offered a 'quiet evening' with 'no sing-songs, darts dominoes or pool'. 'We are busy,' said Archie. 'But without the interference of pub sports there is still an atmosphere of quiet.' Archie was assisted by his wife Janet, a full-time barmaid and eight part-time staff. John Moody was mine host of the White Heather Roundhouse in Kirkcaldy. Publican-turned-footballer John was a former goalkeeper who started his football career aged 17 as understudy to Jack Harkness at Hearts. He became a major in the Army Physical Training Corps and played wartime football for many clubs including East Fife, Raith Rovers, Aberdeen, Hibs and Tottenham. Snacks 'such as pies and toasted sandwiches' were available at the White Heather in 1978 which boasted a public bar, lounge and large function rooms. The various beers were 'excellently kept, and service is always brisk and cheerful'. In a prominent place on the wall was a photograph of a guide dog which was bought and trained thanks to the generosity of the pub's patrons. Darts, pool and dominoes were played in the pub which also had a golf club. Willie McNeill was landlord of the West End Bar in Lochgelly since 1960. The Sporting Post said Willie was renowned for his 'speed and dexterity dispensing foaming ale to a crowded bar without complaint about lack of service'. He took over the West End after spells at the Crown Tavern and Minto Hotel. Until 1977 it was described as 'a traditional style of pub, with little place for women'. 'They were allowed in,' said Willie, 'but you could say it was more of a man's pub.' A £30,000 facelift made the West End an open plan bar and lounge which brought a 'change in atmosphere' and attracted 'more and more couples'. The new look featured 'timbered beams, reproduction chairs and tables, genuine antique farm kitchen brassware and horse brasses, shoes and livery'. Willie lived above the pub with his wife. He had little time for hobbies and the West End took up most of his leisure time. Nona Lamont was mine host at Belgeddie Toll Tavern where she welcomed customers 'with a choice of refreshment and a mouth-watering menu'. The former high school teacher took over the running of the pub in 1976. The well-stocked bar carried a selection of 16 single malt whiskies and 22 blends. Most expensive item on the dinner menu was Tournedos Rossini at £3.50. Cheapest was the £1.35 omelette. Steak was the most popular main course. Husband Richard resigned his job as a rep for a cigarette firm to share in hosting the popular establishment, which offered a 'homely and comfortable atmosphere'. 'We were both strangers to the trade,' said Richard. 'But we adapted to it – and now regard our business as part of our social life, and our customers as an ever-increasing circle of friends.' Noddy's Neuk was presided over by Harry Walker and his wife Agnes. The pub opened in 1976 as part of the Touch housing estate in Dunfermline. The public bar included a TV, fruit machines and dart boards while the 'comfortably furnished lounge' provided 'discreet lighting and soothing piped music'. Bar snacks were 'hot pies and brides and a selection of crisps and nuts'. There was no demand for meals. 'We did try them at the start,' Harry said. 'Our trade is mostly in the evening and purely local.' When not attending the various bars Harry could often be found playing darts. 'Apart from that I don't have time for anything else – except following Hearts,' he said. Jim and Rose Kenny were running the Northern Roadhouse in Dunfermline. Entertainment in the 'luxurious function suite' ranged from boxing tournaments, concerts and cabarets to discos, fashion and hair styling shows. In the public bar there were darts, dominoes, pool and a big screen TV. Rose prepared the food which included soup, steaks, scampi 'or more humble fare such as pies, bridies, hamburgers, filled rolls, sandwiches and toasties'. In the cocktail bar there were paintings on show from local artists. The regulars gave money to good causes through collections organised in the pub and staged a show twice a year with all proceeds going to the local community centre. The social club also took pensioners on summer outings and festive celebrations. There were so many pubs to visit in 1978. So which boozer would you have decided to go to?
