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The Courier
16 hours ago
- 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
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
These landlords were behind the bar at Dundee pubs in 1978 - how many do you remember?
Meet the Dundee pub landlords who were pulling pints in 1978. The boozers and the faces behind the bar will be familiar to a generation of drinkers. The pub scene in Dundee was thriving during the decade that gave us Blondie, Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin, Queen, the Sex Pistols and Thin Lizzy. Competition was fierce in Dundee in 1978. Some of the famous names included The Broadway Bar, The George, The Galleon Bar, The Ivanhoe Bar, The Robin Hood Bar, The Scout Bar and The Three Barrels. A pint of lager would cost 39p. On tap in 1978 you would have found Belhaven Heavy, Diamond Heavy, Harp Lager, McEwan's Lager, McEwan's Export, Skol Lager and Tennent's Lager. Nips included Otard Cognac, Vulcan Brandy and White Horse Whisky. 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. There was even a competition giving 15 readers the chance to win a case of Skol Lager by placing your favourite eight TV shows of 1978 in order of preference. So jump in the Chevrolet Blazer and head back to 1978 to meet the landlords who were serving up drinks and calling last orders in boozers across the city. Mine host of the Arctic Bar at New Inn Entry was Dundonian John Gilpin. The Sporting Post said the Arctic Bar had 'always been a popular meeting place for husbands who have been dragged into town to help with the shopping'. 'We like to think that we offer a good pint with pleasant service and apart from the drink, we rely on conversation as the main entertainment,' said John. 'In fact, we did at one point put in taped music – but nobody could hear it above the noise of everyone speaking.' There was also a 'cosy lounge' which attracted 'wives as well as husbands'. John lived in Ellengowan Drive and was treasurer of the St Francis Sporting Club. Frank Hendry was publican of the Commonwealth Bar in Victoria Road. He took over the premises in 1974 when it was known as The Oddfellows Bar. Frank was a founder member of St Francis Boxing Club. He went on to manage the British boxing team at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. Choosing a new name for his pub was no problem and Dundee captain Tommy Gemmell and Rangers striker Derek Johnstone attended the opening. The lounge was decorated with pictures of sports stars and framed jerseys which had been worn by some of the world's greatest footballers, including Eusebio. It was the perfect place to watch games during the 1978 World Cup. 'Big and bearded and pipe-smoking' Alan Doyle was publican at the Diving Bell Bar and Porthole Lounge in King Street. He thought the name would be perfect, having worked as a diver for 20 years. The pub used to be called the Blair Bar. The Mine Host feature said the pub felt like 'a sailor's homecoming' and was 'cosy and tastefully decorated' with a 'gleaming brass porthole' behind the bar. It was from a freighter that sank just off the coast of Auchmithie. There was live music in the Porthole Lounge every evening. Ray Martin was mine host of the Glass Bucket Lounge in St Andrews Street. He was a process engraver before training with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries. The Dundee United supporter became the landlord in 1976. He replaced Fred Brady who retired. The pub was originally called the King's Bar. Dundee United matchday programmes were displayed in the pub. The Sporting Post said several United first-team players would 'pop in for a soft drink and a chat with their supporters' when they were not training. No. 10 Lounge Eddie Summerton was the publican at No. 10 Lounge in South Tay Street. The pub was a former dentist's and opened in June 1978. The advertising feature said it wouldn't have looked out of place in London's West End and was decorated with a dozen original paintings of Shakespeare characters. Eddie said: 'The idea is to try to provide a different type of place for people to come to for a few quiet drinks. 'After a day's work, couples can come along, enjoy the atmosphere and talk to each other without having to compete with the sounds from a jukebox or any other music.' Nobody wearing denim jeans would be admitted after 7pm. Jonathan Stewart was 24 and the youngest publican in Dundee. After leaving Harris Academy, he trained as a hairdresser. He had a salon in Broughty Ferry before buying the Ladywell Tavern. He had been mine host since the age of 19. His brother was Jeff who was publican at The Three Barrels in Hilltown. The Mine Host feature said: 'Jonathan has a four-point formula for a successful pub – cleanliness, variety, real ale and the serving of quarter gill measures. 'The variety in the Ladywell is shown by the array of more than 50 malt whiskies and over 20 continental lagers.' William Harper was mine host of The Quarter Gill on the corner of Allan Street. It was originally known as the Allan Bar. William was not your average publican, having previously worked as an electrical measurements engineer in Zambia and at a petrol station in Lochee. He took charge in 1975. William said: 'You meet many different types of people and it is interesting and sometimes funny learning about their day to day lives,' A wooden model of an old French sailing ship was a talking point in the pub. Ian Thomson was publican of the Speedwell Bar in the Perth Road. It is better known as Mennie's, after former landlady Isobel Mennie. She was his aunt. He took over the pub when she retired in 1975. 'The clientele is great and I get on well with them all,' he said. 'I've really enjoyed owning my own pub, though it has meant a lot of hard work.' He said he couldn't have made the pub a success without his wife, Connie. Jim Ross was mine host of The Toby Jug in Victoria Street. Jim was manager of Laing's Hotel in Roseangle before taking over in 1977. He would play music tapes brought in by regulars. Pub snacks included 'anything from filled rolls to picked eggs and toasted sandwiches'. The Toby Jug had a football team and two darts teams. 'I'm on show to the customers, with the bar as a stage,' he said. 'If they like what they see, they will come back.' There were so many pubs to visit in 1978. So which boozer would you have decided to go to?
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Daily Record
Centuries old Scottish mansion once owned by Tennent's chief now lies in ruins
The estate has had some legendary owners down the years. Venture approximately 18 miles west of Pitlochry in Perthshire this summer, and you might stumble upon a sight that is both extraordinary and deeply affecting. Standing stark against the landscape are the skeletal remnants of what was once a magnificent mansion, Dunalastair House. From a distance, it retains a semblance of its former imposing structure, but a closer approach reveals nothing but a grand ruin, a haunting shell of stone and memory. The site, while haunting, has recently become a point of interest for explorers. It is perhaps surprising to learn that less than a hundred years ago, this now derelict building served a significant purpose, operating as a school for Polish children. The history of the Dunalastair Estate stretches back centuries, originating with the ownership by Clan Donnachaidh, also known as Clan Robertson. The Robertson family held control of the estate in and around the area. A prominent figure linked to the site was the great poet chieftain, Alexander Robertson of Struan, a staunch Jacobite. He is believed to have resided in a house known as the Hermitage, thought to have been located on or close to the present Dunalastair site. This earlier structure was destroyed by fire following the 1745 Jacobite uprising. Subsequently, around 1800, a double tower house, known as Mount Alexander, was constructed on the site. The Robertson clan's direct control continued until 1853. In that year, George Duncan Robertson, the 18th Chief, sold the property to General Sir John Macdonald of Dalchosnie. According to the Dunalastair Estate website, General Sir John Macdonald chose to demolish the building then on the site and constructed his own residence, the structure whose remains are visible today. Several decades later, the estate was sold again by Alastair Macdonald, son of Sir John, to Hugh Tennent. Hugh was the great great grandson of the founder of the Wellpark Brewery, now known as Tennent's brewery. Hugh would revolutionise the popular beer after being inspired by trips to Bavaria in Germany, the first of which he made in 1881, the same year he bought Dunalastair House. Tennent's Lager, as we know it today, was first brewed at Wellpark in 1885. Despite his success, Hugh died aged 27 in 1890, having owned Dunalastair for just nine years. The following year, in 1891, the house and estate were acquired by James Clark Bunten, who was the Chairman of the Caledonian Railway Company and is the great grandfather of the current owner. However, from this period, Dunalastair began to experience a decline. This was particularly noticeable after the onset of World War One, when the large staff required to maintain such a property became increasingly scarce. During the Second World War, the estate found a temporary new purpose as a school for the children of Polish refugees. Despite this, its decline continued into the 1950s, exacerbated by a fire around this time. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. In the 1950s, the house's contents and furniture were sold off. Its condition worsened considerably in the 1960s following significant vandalism and the theft of lead from the roof, leading to its current state of complete disrepair. Currently, although various proposals have been made for the restoration of the house, the high costs involved have thus far prevented any such projects from proceeding.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots urged to keep 'taps on' this summer as Tennent's team up with comedy legends
Still Game legend Sanjeev Kohli is part of a group of top Scots comedians encouraging Scots to keep their Taps On this summer as part of Tennent's Lager's new campaign. Scots have been urged to keep their 'taps on' this summer in a new skin cancer campaign from a host of Scots comedians and Tennent's lager. The push by the Scots beer giants comes amid rising skin cancer rates and is encouraging Scots not to take their Taps Aff through a new collection of special t-shirts where all profits go to Melanoma UK, a charity working to combat skin cancer. Comedy legends including Still Game's Sanjeev Kohli, Ashley Storrie, Larry Dean, Bash the Entertainer and more are lending support to the limited-edition collection. Sanjeev Kohli, best known as Craiglang shopkeeper Naveed, said: 'We're all guilty of getting a bit overexcited the minute the sun shows up - I've seen folk sunbathing on traffic islands. "When it appears, we fight that urge to race to the nearest patch of sand to feel the sweet warmth on our bare skin. But while we're busy basking in its glow, we often forget that it's still pelting us with UV rays. "I wanted my t-shirt design to be a cheeky nod to those fleeting moments of sunshine as we race to make the most of it and a reminder that if the sun is melting your ice-cream… think what it can do to your skin!' The Tennent's Taps On campaign is designed to encourage people not to ignore the sun's dangers, and to embrace the brighter side of the season without being daft about their own health. The items are designed to sum-up Scots unique relationship with the sun. The collection includes: Larry Dean: We've Got Your Back - A Scottish seagull swoops in to leave a deposit on a sunseeker's back…a big dollop of suncream. Susie McCabe: Summer Survival Kit - We find a way to celebrate summer and get good use of our BBQ, even in the rain. Sanjeev Kohli: MelTer - Demonstrating the daily challenge of trying to finish an ice lolly before it's melted. Ray Bradshaw: Think like a Ginger - Any sensible pale-skinned person knows being under the sunbathing towel is preferable to sunburn. Diona Doherty: SPF is Sexy - Nothing says 'hot' like staying sun safe this summer. Kim Blythe: Suntrapped - Showcasing the joy of chasing the shy summer sunshine in a beer garden. Ashley Storrie: The Battle: You're Either Oot Or You're In - Demonstrating the frustrating unpredictability of our sun. Bash The Creator: Four seasons in one day. Or less - No problem, we'll still be out enjoying the summer come rain or shine (or wind and hail) Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK with around 17,500 new cases every year and it's on the rise with incidence rates increasing by almost a third (31 percent) over the past decade. Detection rates in Scotland are lagging behind those in England, and Tennent's are encouraging people to remember that the sun can still cause damage, even if it's behind clouds. With almost nine in ten cases in the UK being caused by exposure to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Joanne Motion, Senior Brand Manager for Tennent's said: 'Braving a Scottish summer is practically a national sport, and no one does it better than us. "But while we're all for making the most of every rare bit of sunshine, we're also keen to make sure folk are doing it safely. "That's what Taps On is all about - having a laugh, raising some money for a brilliant cause, and keeping your burn-prone bits covered while you're at it. It's sun-smart without being sun-boring.' Colin Glover from Melanoma UK added: ' Skin cancer doesn't care if it's 15 degrees or 25 degrees, UV rays can still do a lot of damage. "We know how much people love the sunshine, but we want to encourage people to enjoy it safely by avoiding sunburn, keep a 'tap on' to help protect backs and shoulders from sun damage and ensuring you're wearing SPF.' The Taps On t-shirt range goes on sale Friday, May 2 at 10am via the Tennent's website. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
