The
flats built at Oxgangs on the south side of Edinburgh were on farm land,
presumably on the former Oxgangs Farm, situated in the lea of the Pentland
Hills. Looking back the air must have been fresh and clear as there were no local
industries there. There was however still some local working farms on the go
including Hunters Tryst Farm which was a dairy farm. Further up toward the
Pentlands was Swanston Farm which grew potatoes and turnips and was also a pig
farm and always noticeably smelly whenever we ventured past it-but more of that
later.
 |
| RLS from a photograph by Lloyd Osbourne |
Eighty
years or so before, Robert Louis Stevenson walked along the same dirt road going
to and from Swanston Village where the family had a holiday house, Swanston
House. Perhaps it is a trick of memory, but I seem to remember seeing his
initials carved on a door of the old Oxgangs Farm-house on Oxgangs Road North
which then became a police station. Comiston Farm also grew potatoes and
turnips; a beautiful house was an integral part. At one time there were wild
rumours circulating of a ghost haunting the farm, known as the White Lady-this
caused great consternation amongst the pupils at Hunters Tryst which was
adjacent to the farm.
10 comments:
I’ve found a few pics of the Hunters Tryst farm on the internet which were hard to find. I have a photo from before there was any bungalows near by and I have taken a few screenshots from a silent movie about Colinton which I have found online. Both pics from the 40’s and late 50’s. Also I have saw pics of the Hunters Tryst farm or now pub in a book, taken in the 1920’s. I have been trying to track the book down. To no evail. The book also had pictures of the Caiy Stone near Hunters Tryst as well. Before the bungalows were built. Just standing in a field . If anyone can help with which book this was please let me know.
The film which includes brief film of Hunters Tryst farm is called Something Old New And Borrowed, filmed between 1942 & 1959. It shows the Hunters Tryst looking very different in both brief scenes. The last bit of film shows lampposts and the pavements being built outside the Hunters Tryst. The first clip from the 1940’s shows a grandfather and daughter walking past. The other photo I have is of the Hunters well before all this, when it was all country side. Morrison behind is just a dirt track and woods.
My second great uncle used to live at Hunter's Tryst with his wife and daughter from about 1900. They had three employees living at the farm to help run the dairy business. I would be keen to get copies of what you have found as like you have said its difficult to find pictures etc.
The two books with the pictures of The Hunters Tryst farm i have are called Edinburgh and The Forth and South Edinburgh, both by Malcom Cant. They both contain a lot of great photos of the local area.
There’s a great old photo of The Hunters Tryst Farm here https://www.colintonhistory.org.uk/
I have been looking at the book Edinburgh and The Forth by Malcom Cant, which has various photos of The Hunters Tryst, taken by Photographer William Edgar Evans. Between 1900 and finally in 1953. In the 1900 photos it includes pictures of James Montgomery, the dairyman there in 1900. He had a wife Ellen nee Winward and a daughter Ellen born in 1899. Hope this is helpful.
Thank you very much for the previous comments. I will try and track down the book now. I have photos of James' brother, Alexander and his family but none of himself. This is quite exciting.
You are very welcome, i bought both books on amazon last year. Hope you can buy them easily, if not i will e mail u the photos.
I have now got the Edinburgh and the Forth book which contains some excellent photos. Would you mind sending any relevant ones from the other book please?
Hi there iainwill, i’m glad you managed to track the book down , it’s really a great book, full of amazing photos. The other book from the same author South Edinburgh (Malcom Cant) is a must have as well. There is just one old phone of the Hunters Tryst in it, similar to the ones in other book, But many great old photos. One taken where the Chipp Inn in colinton mains stands now circa 1935, all country side. Liberton, Swanston, Farmilehead, Greenbank, Blackford & The Braid park all included in the book. Lovely old photos. It’s worth buying to , if your interested in the history of these areas.
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