Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
I will be writing a blog entry about this in time, but here are a few of the Trip/Sensia photos with a wee bit text. I went back to Dundee, to the scenes from my 1970s, using a 1970s camera. I'll be weaving it all into a narrative later.
The out of date Sensia film varied with each roll - some good, some very pinky-yellow, which is an odd combination. But that was anticipated. My own memories of my life circa 40 years ago are also oddly rendered in my brain. The Olympus Trip seems to have been the perfect choice of camera here. Digital wouldn't have done it, nor medium format film.
Here we go...
My gran on my mother's side used to work in the much-hated jute mills here in Lochee - in those days we used to talk about getting a bus to Dundee, but now Lochee has been engulfed by the city. I was tempted to put this in black and white, highlighting a feeling of Nazi workhouses, as that is how many remember them. The tower is Cox's Stack. Many people wanted it knocked down as it reminded them of the bad times, but the brick layers union persuaded the council to keep it, as it is a magnificent testament to their skills. I'm glad they kept it.
The street I lived in, Gray Street - home of the Gray Street Huns during the 70s when every street had a gang. We were a subsidiary of the Lochee Fleet, who were altogether more frightening. Yes folks, this is where I grew up:
I swear this looked identical 40 years ago (again, Gray Street)
The multis, or flats, where I had my paper round. I got up at 6am every day, seven days a week. Earned £3, and gave my mum £2. With the remaining £1 I saved up for my first guitar...my journey out of this world had begun...
The remaining shots today are from Balgay Hill, where we scattered our mum's ashes, overlooking the River Tay. Very emotional area for me. More later.
Take Me To The Bridge x700 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
roots x700 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
On Balgay Hill 1 x700 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
The spot where my mum lies:
Yellow x700 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
The out of date Sensia film varied with each roll - some good, some very pinky-yellow, which is an odd combination. But that was anticipated. My own memories of my life circa 40 years ago are also oddly rendered in my brain. The Olympus Trip seems to have been the perfect choice of camera here. Digital wouldn't have done it, nor medium format film.
Here we go...
My gran on my mother's side used to work in the much-hated jute mills here in Lochee - in those days we used to talk about getting a bus to Dundee, but now Lochee has been engulfed by the city. I was tempted to put this in black and white, highlighting a feeling of Nazi workhouses, as that is how many remember them. The tower is Cox's Stack. Many people wanted it knocked down as it reminded them of the bad times, but the brick layers union persuaded the council to keep it, as it is a magnificent testament to their skills. I'm glad they kept it.
The street I lived in, Gray Street - home of the Gray Street Huns during the 70s when every street had a gang. We were a subsidiary of the Lochee Fleet, who were altogether more frightening. Yes folks, this is where I grew up:
I swear this looked identical 40 years ago (again, Gray Street)
The multis, or flats, where I had my paper round. I got up at 6am every day, seven days a week. Earned £3, and gave my mum £2. With the remaining £1 I saved up for my first guitar...my journey out of this world had begun...
The remaining shots today are from Balgay Hill, where we scattered our mum's ashes, overlooking the River Tay. Very emotional area for me. More later.
Take Me To The Bridge x700 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
roots x700 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
On Balgay Hill 1 x700 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
The spot where my mum lies:
Yellow x700 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
That was quite a meeting.
