Former Pupils Share Their Memories

Over the years former pupils have left us comments

on our website.  They are building up into a great

archive for the school. Present day pupils are

always interested to hear how things were  in the past.

We have tried to group them in decades.(from

when pupils started in P1)

Former pupils may recognise the sender, or some

of the pupils mentioned. 

Maybe we'll even reunite some long lost buddies.

Here are a selection of them.

We would be delighted to hear from any other former pupils.

1950s and before

CHECK OUT OUR NEWS PAGE TO VIEWA P7 PHOTO  FROM 1960/61

Irene Leitch

Elizabeth and Vera Hill thanks for comments,Did I wear tight skirts? must have been about 12 I think. I well remember the dolls pram wish I had kept it but don't think my grand daughters would play with it, still in touch with Maggie Ritchie who stayed in Longstone Street just along from the top of the grove, Stange to remember the TV we were the first to have one at our end of the grove and Mrs Irons who stayed at the top of the grove had one so on Coronation day some of the kids came to my house and some to Mrs Irons, we all had our mugs etc which we were given at school, still hjave mine in the attic, don't think it will be worth much if anybody else from the good old days remembers get in touch!!

 

 

Donald Ross

Hi There, Id love to make contact with some of the people featured on your Gllery page. Specifically the ones from the 50s-60s period. Robert Laird Norma Penman If you can help Is be very grateful. I will be adding my comments on the site later. I will say its never too late to learn as Im currently in my third year as an undergraduate at UWS in Ayr. Kindest regards Donald Ross 

 

 Eileen Howieson

I attenden Longstone school in 1954 or 1955 till 1957.I have many happy memories of the school.Mr Munro was the head master and Miss Bastick was my teacher.My two best friends were Catherine Merrilees who I still keep in touch with and Eileen Charley.I now live in Australia and will be in Edinburgh August 1st 2009 and would like to meet some of my old friends   Irene Leitch I  was at Longstone primary started off in the village school where Miss Kelling was my teacher,this was in 1951, then moved to Merchiston, while the new school was being built, they used to bus us from Longstone to Merchiston every day, friends from school were Maggie Ritchie(still friends today) Eleanor Cowan was in my class and Partricia McLeod(Mitzi)my brothe David also went to Longstone , he is a year older than me it was a great school, then went on to good old Carrickvale. hope to hear from anybody still out there ds

 

Teddy Wiseman

Veronica Kramer asks whether I am the one she recalls.     Being a founder member of the Longstone Scout Troop and attending the Mission run by Mr Harkness at Slateford public Hall, I am indeed. I hope that night with the boys is not what drove her to the USA (which I visit regularly) 

 

Julie Telford

As a former pupil, I would like to contribute this to your archive. From former pupil Julie Telford. I was just googling myself to see who in the world had said anything about me and I discovered this site, and a nickname I never knew I had: Woolly Julie! Thank you, Elizabeth. I attended Longstone School from 1957 to 1964. My teachers were Miss Phillips (1957-58), Miss Scotland (1958-59), Mrs Ray (1959), then Miss Steele until 1964. I also remember Mr Martin, the headmaster, whom we all liked very much, and Miss Chain, the nice sewing teacher. Miss Steele worked us very hard, and for that I am grateful. Occasionally she could be very nice to us, and I think she genuinely did have our best interests at heart. I also remember every pupil in my class (I think). : Irene Cameron Patricia Meikle Joan Bangham Derek Burns Alan Wharton Graham Paterson Alan Wright Graham Callighan Caroline Mackay Janice Andrews Elizabeth Hill Patricia Hunter Katherine Hirst Robert Merriman Kenneth MacAlpine? Dennis Mathieson Norman Dick David Laird Christine Shannon Ann Kilgallan Angela ?? Belinda Turnbull Annette Ross Janice Shore Colin Dunlop Robert Forrester Bruce ?? Lorraine ?? I came across Robert Merriman through FriendsReunited, where I also discovered that Graham Callighan has died. I lived near the shop in Kingsknowe Road. I those days it was owned by Mr Roccio, then by Mr and Mrs Gaff. There were great changes in the area during my time. There were prefab houses east of Redhall Gardens and between Longstone Gardens and the canal, which had been erected as emergency housing after the war. Many of my classmates lived in them. They were tiny, damp and never repaired, as they were due for demolition, and had been for years. They were finally replaced with better housing in the early sixties. Many of the prefab residents were relocated to the new houses around Longstone Park, which also replaced slums. In our day, children were left to play unsupervised. The most exciting 'adventure playgrounds' were also quite dangerous: The river: The Water of Leith, the canal, Hailes Quarry where the city's rubbish was tipped, and derelict farms at the top and bottom of Kingsknowe Road, and 'through the burn' to Stenhouse. I would be pleased to hear from anyone in my class, or anyone else who remembers me. julietelford55@hotmail.com

 

Elizabeth Hill/Now Thies 
I MEANT SITE NOT SIGHT. SO FORGIVE ME! MY SISTER VERA IS TRYING TO LOCATE ELSPETH MACKAY WHO LIVE ON LONGSTONE STREET, SHE HAS A BROTHER GEORGE. CONTACT ME IF YOU KNOW HER WHEREABOUTS. i, MY SISTER MAUREEN AND MARGARET REI ALL GOT PRAMS AND DOLLS FOR CHRISTMAS ONE YEAR AND WE WALKED TO THE MACKAYS TO SHOW THEM OFF. IT WAS A SNOWY MORNING AROUND 7.AM. AND WE WERE SO PROUD OF OUR PRAMS. THEN WE WALKED DOWN TO THE CO-OP (ST CUTHBERTS, I THINK) AND SHOWED THEM OFF THERE. i STILL REMEMBER MY MUM'S STORE NUMBER 14672 AND ALSO REMEMBER GOING FOR RASHIONS AT THE WEE STORE NEXT TO THE LONGSTONE INN. HOW LIFE HAS CHANGED.I DON'T USUALLY SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON THE COMPUTER, BUT THIS IS SO MUCH FUN. IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO HEAR OF TALES YEARS GONE BYE. HOPE SOMEONE WILL REMEMBER ME AND GET IN TOUCH.
AGAIN, BEST WISHES TO ALL.
LIZZIE (HILL) ETSCOTTIE@VISI.COM
MY SISTER VERA HILL HOPES TO HEAR FROM SOME OF HER OLD CLASSMATES. ARE YOU THERE ELSPETH MACKAY OR IRENE MACKENZIE OR IRENE SUTHERLAND?

 Veronica M Kramer (Vera Hill)

Teddy Wiseman is the name I knew you by. Did you go to the Mission Hall along Slateford Rd. and also were you in the Longstone Boy Scouts. I beleive it was run by Minister Goldie. I was in the Girl Guides at the same time. I remeber that was my first time I had been to a party with the Boys. UUUU! I got sick that night as I ate too many sweeties. It sure was a great time though.

 

Elizabeth Hill/Now Thies

THIS IS MY THIRD ATTEMPT TO DISPLAY A MESSAGE ON THIS SIGHT.
I LIVED @ 11 LONGSTONE GROVE AND ATTENDED
L.S. PRIMARY FROM APPROX. 1957 - 66/67. SOME OF MY CLASSMATES WERE. IRENE CAMERON(STORNAWAY) PATRICIA HUNTER, ANNETTE ROSS, BELINDA JONES, ALAN WRIGHT, ROBERT MERRIMAN, GRAHAM PATTERSON, COLIN DUNLOP. NORMAN DICK, DENNIS MATHESON DAVID LAIRD, ALLAN WHARTON,(REMEMBER WHEN HE HAD HIS APPENDICS REMOVED) WOOLY JULIE TELFORD, GRAHAM CALLAGAN AND SO MANY MORE THAT I CAN'T THINK OF AT THE MOMENT. OUR TEACHER WAS MISS STEEL .
WHEN I STARTED AT LONGSTONE, I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE MISS PHILLIPS AS MY TEACHER, SHE WAS A GEM, WITH SO MUCH PATIENCE AND SO KIND. SHE LEFT AFTER SHE GOT MARRIED. WHAT A LOSS! MISS BASTICK & MISS NICOL WERE OUR NETBALL COACHES. WE USUALLY PLAYED BROOMHOUSE AND GOT OUR BUTTS KICKED....PROBABLY BECAUSE WE WERE MUCH MORE REFINED AND LADYLIKE!
TODAY i LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA USA. JIM AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 35 YEARS. NO CHILDREN. WE HAVE A GOOD LIFE AND JIM IS SELF EMPLOYED. WE HAVE A HOME IN FLORIDA, WHICH WE GET TO A COUPLE OF TIMES A YEAR. OUR HOPE IS THAT WHEN JIM RETIRES WE WILL SPEND MOST OF THE WINTER THERE AND GET AWAY FROM THE COLD SNOWY WINTERS OF MINNESOTA. WE RETURN TO SCOTLAND A COUPLE OF TIMES DURING THE YEAR. MY SIBLINGS, EDWARD, MAUREEN AND IAN ALONG WITH MY MUM (NOW90) STILL LIVE THERE. JIM SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME ON THE BRAIDS (GOLFING) AND OTHER COURSES. I DO MY BEST TO SUPPORT THE STORES. :)
HOPE SOMEONE WILL REMEMBER ME AND GET IN TOUCH. BEST WISHES TO ALL.
SINCERELY,
LIZZIE (HILL) THIES.
ETSCOTTIE@VISI.COM

 

Elizabeth Hill/Now Thies

I HAVE TRIED THIS BEFORE BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCSESSFUL. ANYHOO, I LIVED AT 11 LONGSTONE GROVE, . CLASSMATES WERE PATRICIA HUNTER, AGNES MILLER, BELINDA JONES, ANNETTE ROSS, DAVID LAIRD, IAN MCDONALD, IAIN MACDONALD, ROBERT MERRIMAN, GRAHAM PATTERSON, (THE COALIES SON) ALAN WRIGHT. GOSH. AND SO MANY MORE. MISS STEELE WAS OUR JAILER!!!!! I THINK IRENE CAMERON WAS HER FAVOURITE AND GRAHAM PATTERSON WAS IN LOVE WITH IRENE . SHE WAS FROM STORNAWAY. A LOVELY GIRL WITH RED CURLY HAIR. I ALWAYS HOPED HE WOULD INVITE ME TO THE SCHOOL LEAVING DANCE, BUT HE CHOSE HER, MUCH TO MY DISMAY AND COLIN DUNLOP ASKED ME! DO ANY OF YOU REMEMBER NORMAN? HE TOSSED DIRT INTO MY MUM'S HALLWAY AFTER SHE REFUSED TO LET HIM DO GROCERY SHOPPING FOR HER. i CAN REMEMBER HER CHASING HIM DOWN THE GROVE UNTIL SHE CAUGHT HIM IN AN ENDEAVOUR TO HAVE HIM CLEAN THE MESS UP. SHE WAS SUCCESSFUL. SHE RAN LIKE A RABBIT. AND IS NOW 91 YEARS OLD WITH ALL OF HER FACULTIES. I GET HOME 2-3 TIMES A YEAR AND WOULD LOVE TO MEET UP WITH ANY OF YOU. SO I LEAVE YOU MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IN THE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTACT ME. ETSCOTTIE@VISI.COM PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET INTOUCH.
BEST WISHES, ELIZABETH(LIZZIE)HILL NOW THIES

 

Veronica M Kramer(Vera Hill)

Does anyone remember Mr. MacKenzie the History teacher from New Zealand. I was at Slateford Annex when I had him. He was an awesome teacher. Then I went to Longstone Annex,Stayed on Longstone Grove. Left there in 1963 to come to the states.Does anyone know what has happened to Carrickvale Secondary. That was our Secondary school,where does everyone go now?

WEBTEAM REPLY _ Everyone goes to Firrhill High School Now. Carrickvale closed long ago.

	Ted Wiseman	12 January 2009 12:19:47
	Hi. Just stumbled across your website. Very good – I hope it flourishes as it deserves. I started in the old village school in 1948 and remember my first day vividly – well at least part of it. The queue of mothers round the perimeter of the playground and us kids getting our first feel for the slope of that playground. (a few skint knees there). Miss Wightman I think was the name of my first teacher. I should remember because I was in love with her until classmate Margaret McIntosh started talking to me. We lived in the Redhall prefabs which I thought were wonderful. Ours was the highest in the scheme and the view was impressive. We were the starting gate in the sledging season. Obviously the school was not big enough for the baby-boomer influx. We had to be shipped out. Others have mentioned the Annexe, Juniper Green and North Merchiston. I was also taught in the Slateford Public Hall near Inglis Green, which is now a Masonic lodge I think and finally the old Slateford school which is now the Water Of Leith exhibition centre. My final teacher was Mrs Lusk who sent me off pretty well prepared for what was ahead. Next door to us was the Mr Gibson who has a few mentions in other’s comments. He wasn’t so bad. Just wanted to be sure we all knew he was in charge. He ran our football team with some success. I never made it to the new school. I delivered milk and rolls up the top of the hill and saw it being built. Maybe one day I’ll get a closer look.

James Hey
Hello folks,  my name is James Hey I attended Longstone Primary School from 1945 to 1952. Starting of in the old village school then
moving to the Red Hall Annex with Mrs Lusk as our teacher.
I have lived in the USA since 1971 with my wife and 3 children and would like to know if any of the old gang are still in touch as we seemed to scatter to the four winds after school finished.
Would like to here from anybody who is still arround.

Ron Irvine
Hi Class of '54!
Just accessed the new webiste - looking good.
I am hoping some of my former class-mates and friends will remember me from
the old school and the "new".
I was very friendly with Douglas Muir, who transferred to Heriot's, and we
were near neighbours, and stayed friendly until around 1958/59 after which
time I had moved down to Peebles, (and was never as happy there as had been
in Longstone). I also remember Stanley Reid, Alex Borthwick, Jacqueline ?,
and other faces whose names have gone now.
We were taught, in 1957, by a Miss Greig, and the Head was a Mrs Phillips.
To this day, I have kept my old school tie!
If any of the 1954 intake remember me, would really like to hear from you
all and how Life is treating you.

                                                                 
Joe Miller
I went to Longstone in 1950 which was in the old village then we went to juniper green then to merchiston then to the school at redhall. The headmaster was mr munro our teacher was miss murial lieshman hope to here from someone JOE MILLER

Eleanor Cowan
i went to longstone between 1951-1958 my teacher in p7 was Mr T hompson our headmaster was Mr Monro my best friend was Pat McLoed[MITZY] Istill see now and then

Colin McDonald
dont know where to start about good old longstone,was there from1956 and still live a stones throw away from the school we had a good football team with the earl brothers , podge mcleod, micky mcdonald, billy grubb,charlie murphy and many more that i just cant remember cause i am over the big 50 as well.

Robbie Hamilton
Just saying Hello... I attended Longstone from 1947- 53 then went on to Pentlands Sec.
Used to live in Redhall Place along with my Brother Eddie & Sister Lilian.
Good to hear the school is still doing OK

	Betty Merrilees I went to the old school in the village, then theAnnexe, slateford school, North Merchiston, they were all annexes of the primary,before moving to the present school.we lived in the prefabs before moving to Redhall place,where my brother Ronald still lives.Miss wightman was P1 teacher, coal fire in the classroom, outside toilets frozen in the winter!Mr Ross, Mrs.Nimmo were lovely,Mr Gibson was awful,a bully,not to me but scary, mostly happy days, with a good round education,I left to go to Pentlands and Boroughmuir.I planted a tree when the new school opened.mr. Goldie was the minister, he used to come into the school all the time. My mum was one of the school cleaners.Mr Munro was the head-master, I used to go for fags for him to Gaffs!!

1960s

CHECK OUT OUR NEWS PAGE TO VIEW

A P7 PHOTO  FROM 1960/61

Pamela McDonald (Now Hague)         I attended from 1961 to 1968. I just loved Longstone Primary. I had Miss Johnson as my teacher and whilst she was pretty fierce she was also fair. I was Captain of Juniper Green when they won after the big drought of not winning for about 12 years or so. I live in Australia now and my nieces go to Longstone school and I get very nostalgic when I see photos

 

John

Hi attended longstone from about 1964 - 1971, can remember my first day Vividly – was kicking and screaming and hanging on to my mum did not really want to go. Think the teacher was Mrs Gunn she tore me away from my mum – never forgave her for that! In hindsight had a really good time there would love to hear from some of my old class mates. Fell in love with Susan Grindly in P2- who left to go the Siouth Africa I think. Her brother David was in my sisters class. The last teacher I had there was Miss Stewart. She left to marry some Iranian bloke. Can remember Mary Bennet, Carol Syme, Jane Hardie, Fiona Thompson Sheena Faigrieve, Alan Barton, Jimmy McDonald, Stuart Strong, Stuart Saddler, Raymond Warren & John Struth. There were a Twins in our class for a while, think there name was Waddel. If I remember correctly went to the qually with Sheena.

christine layden(nee Balloch)	26 January 2009 13:22:04

1970s

Christine Layden (nee Balloch)

Hi there out there if there is some one out there that can remember me from the late seventies i would like to hear from you

Paul Crawford                                

Just thought I would add a note to the school website.I used to go to Longstone 1969-1976.I now live in England(Slough). Would like to here from anybody from that time.E-mail is crawford-p@sky.com 

Stewart Rodgers                                   I went to Longstone Primary between 1970-1977 the headmaster was Mr Chappel does anybody remember other teachers from they years on the whole not a bad school.

1980s

 

	Michael Livingstone	14 January 2009 09:56:40
	My dad use to window clean most of Longstone in mid 80's early 90's I went to Longstone I think 1986-1993 then went off to Glasgow to stay well missed that primary especially the big field at the back at playtime lol I remember playing British Bulldog before it got banned too lol

Gary Mennell
i was at longstone from 1975-1981.Mrs Reid was my teacher loved the school best years of my life. Thank you for the good times

Christine layden nee (Balloch)     Lovely to see the school still going strong, it's been 28 years since i went to this school and it would be really good if you to see a photo of the past 'ME' if it was possible.

 

 

 

 

More Recent Pupils

 Sophie Johnston

Hey folk's great job with the website!!!

I used to go to this school intill 2000 and what I can rember best is Mrs Campbell and Mrs Burel the best teacher's I ever had!!! (of course you where all still great). I think my P7 teacher might still be at Longstone Miss Cowney??

I just wonted to drop by and say thanks to you's for being so great. You definity made an impression on me as I am currently working as a youth worker and studying my Hnc in com ed which show's how much my L.S techers, after school club leaders and all of the rest of the staff have helped and influenced me from so long ago.

This is also where I met some of my best friends and will never forget the days playing polo (not the game with the horse lol) with Karen and Pottsy :D!!!

Samantha Smith

Hiya i'm Samantha Smith i left this school in 2002. I miss it, i know go to Drumbrae Primary
Anyone remember me

Bruce Wyper 

Hey.
I attended Longstone from 1997-2004.
I have sat my Standard Grades and got straight 1s. I am currently at Oatridge Agricultural College and am just wanting to say thank you to all the teachers who have helped me achieve this.

Ms.Costello and Ms. Mckintyre were my teachers until P3 and i just want to say that they were great teachers and deserve so much respect.

I had a teacher called Miss. Broadley (left now) who was an amazing teacher but were hard and strict.
Ms.Kane had me in P6 and what a year that was. So many ups and downs i cant think of what to say,

P7 i had Ms.Cowney which was really fun. She was a brilliant teacher.

Students currently at Longstone ask these teachers and Mrs.Mirtle or Ms.McClain if they remember me please and write back to me on my E-Mail address which would be great.

I was not what you would call a good boy at school as i spent the last 3 months in the medical room for fighting etc, but Longstone got me to where i am today and for that i will always be greatful to them and thank them from my heart.

I hope i will find time to come down and see my old teachers one day you never know.

(Ms.Mirtle's face when i walk through those doors again would be some sight)

Well E-Mail me back please if you could and remember to ask the teachers if they remember me
, much obliged

Bruce Wyper