The following is an article from 1972, which was posted recently on Facebook by Jim Bell.
Mary McKinnel was a well known figure in town especially with her regular entry in local pageants with “Billie Marshall’s Gypsies”. Her memories of Old Kirkcudbright were always popular.
This is the original article (sic) transcribed and enhanced by the addition of photographs of the period.
“The Town of Kirkcudbright is of great antiquity and has a wealth of historical interest and events, the town having existed before the invasion of the Romans.
The old part of the town is practically unchanged, High Street with its Georgian houses, old closes with the gardens running down to the Castledykes, and the ancient 16th Century Tolbooth is much the same as it was in my young days a warm, sunny, charming street full of happy children playing games and getting into mischief.
Down at the harbour the boats and the fishermans gear were a big attraction, there always seemed to be someone repairing or painting boats, making creels or mending nets.
Bob Clacherty, a deep sea sailor who had been to far off ports used to regale and enchant us with his stories of adventure.
As a matter of fact, me and my buddy, Kelly, were packed off to the “Auld Castle” school at the tender age of barely four years because “Hubby” prophesised we would fall off the dock into the Dee. School was very pleasant and I remember with great affection my two teachers, “Miss Polly” and “Miss Babs” who taught me my three Rs.
The cobblestones have long gone from the brae at the harbour and now there is a fine smooth surface all along the High Street, it used to be very rough and dusty during the summer, requiring frequent applications from Sammy McNeilie’s watering cart, a great ploy for the children, we used to race after it on our bare feet, kicking her legs in the cascading water, getting a skelp from our mothers for getting wet.
Speaking about ploys, the Mercat cross was a great place for ploys, swinging around the lamppost, playing stackie, “Ba beds” on the wide pavement, or running up and down the Bell Steps. Sometimes we were allowed to help during the curfew bell and it was a great thrill going up on the rope.
Other times we would go down St Mary’s wynd to visit “Lafferty’s” parrot at Bells Barnes and hear it say “Cock your bonnets boys, here comes the Major”, then we’d go along to see Miss J Boyles pet goat and have a swing on the “Kissing gates”, alas they have now disappeared’
When dusk was falling we used to eagerly await the arrival of Sam Campbell the lamplighter with his flaming torch over his shoulder to light the Cross lamp so
that we could continue our games a little longer.
The old jail cast eerie shadows in this lamp light and I for one, never like to venture too near in case of bogles, remembering poor Elspeth McEwan who was imprisoned there in 1698 and later burnt to death as a witch up the Barrhill. Jean Corbie it is said was the only person to speak in her favour. One of our closes in the High Street bears her name, “Corbie Slap”, it is situated at the site of the Meikle Yett at Canon Walls; near one of our oldest hotels the Selkirk Arms.
The Artist colony clustered in the High Street, I can remember E A Hornel, one of our best known painters, Charles Oppenheimer also lived in the street for a time, Bill Robson with his cigar, flowing tie and vivid check jackets, a kenspeckle figure, he was also a member of the Lifeboat crew. E A Taylor and
Jessie M King lived and worked in the Greengate, she always had time for the children and reminded me of a storybook fairy god-mother with their broad brimmed hat, billowing coloured sleeved, flowing cloak and buckled shoes. The close was always full of visiting artists and students during the summer months.
Dorothy L. Sayers featured the greengate in her book “The Five Red Herrings” I can remember her quite well when she stayed in Kirkcudbright. Jessie M King organised a very fine pageant in about 1916, over 300 characters were portrayed, the wonderful costumes were all designed by her and made either by our mothers or by the residents in the greengate.
The River Dee was depicted with nets and salmon, the Ross Lighthouse St Cuthbert and the pied piper followed by a host of children in various coloured costumes. I saw a souvenir programme lately and it revived many memories.
There used to be a number of “Wee” shops in the High Street, my Great Grannie my Grannie used to sell homemade yellowman candy and other homemade sweets also home baked scones and oatcakes, etc.
The wee shops have all gone now, and the old houses too —- the bow window from my great grannie’s house is in the Greengates close, rescued by Jessie M King
Many craftsmen lived in the street, Drystone Dykers, cabinetmakers and French polishers, bakers as well as many seafaring men. The Milroy Brothers had a very successful furniture store. I can remember Old Sandy Dodds sitting outside his house weaving willow and baskets, I still have the fishing basket he made for my father all those years ago.
I cannot close without mentioning Dr John MacMyn, a familiar figure passing along the High Street with his black bag, he knew every child, many had brought into the world (Sixty-five years he practised in Kirkcudbright, a wonderful record).
Alas: the curtain closes – again the mists enfold – the olden days have vanished, the olden tale is told.”