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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 15, 2018 18:16:17 GMT
“There are places in Edinburgh....I need to walk around and have some time to explore..”Ian Anderson, 2006 On this beautiful,autumnal and chilly morning, I decided to take a wander around Ian’s childhood stomping ground of Murrayfield in Edinburgh. photo to follow Ian’s family moved from Dunfermline to Edinburgh (a distance of 18 miles) when Ian was very young. His childhood – until the age of twelve, was spent in the leafy and affluent suburb/s of Murrayfield and adjoining Roseburn - approx 2-3 miles from the centre of Edinburgh and home to the Scottish National Rugby team's stadium. At the bottom of Murrayfield Avenue sits a curious blue 'Tardis’ box. photo to follow These were ‘Police Boxes’ originally installed in 1933 and used by police officers ‘on the beat’ to phone in to the station to note where they were and to get instructions on what they might do next. Ian must have passed this box and seen the local ‘Bobbies’ using them; maybe he even spoke to one of them? He did say once that he wanted to be a policeman – did this encourage him or did he just want to see what lay inside the Tardis? If your interested in this Thread you might also like; Tartan Tull
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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 15, 2018 18:41:26 GMT
From the police box it's a bit of a climb until you get to Ian's old home. No 54, is in the middle of a row of villas. A handsome Victorian mid-terraced property featuring a wealth of period features with bright and spacious accommodation. I'm using estate agent (realtor) blurb because No 54 is up for sale - well at least the top half is! photo to follow I'm sure that it isn't the only "handsome Victorian property" that's been divided over the years - these houses are huge. Young Ian had plenty of scope to run about. You can see the property here - remember this is only the top floor and the attic. You can buy the property if you have 'around' £595,000.
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Post by bunkerfan on Oct 15, 2018 19:17:20 GMT
“There are places in Edinburgh....I need to walk around and have some time to explore..” Ian Anderson, interview, 2006On this beautiful, autumnal and chilly morning I decided to take a wander around Ian’s childhood stomping ground of Murrayfield in Edinburgh. Ian’s family moved from Dunfermline to Edinburgh, a distance of 18 miles, when Ian was very young. His childhood – until the age of twelve, was spent in the leafy and affluent suburb/s of Murrayfield and adjoining Roseburn, approx 2-3 miles from the centre of Edinburgh and home to the Scottish National Rugby team's stadium. At the bottom of Murrayfield Avenue is a curious ‘blue Tardis’ box. These were once ‘Police Boxes.’ Originally installed in 1933 and used by policemen ‘on the beat’ to phone in to the station with a note of where they were and to get instructions on what they might do next. Ian must have passed this box and seen the local ‘Bobbies’ using them; maybe he even spoke to one of them. He did say once that he wanted to be a policeman – did this encourage him, or did he just want to see what lay inside the Tardis? If your interested in this Thread you might also like; Tartan Tull Incredible piece of detective work and I'm sure you've been enjoying your tour around Edinburgh. More please I've found your coat of arms
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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 15, 2018 19:27:50 GMT
Just a hop and a skip away from No 54, is a lovely little park.
A beautiful wooded area at the top of the road with a low stone wall and entrance. photos to follow
I walked through to a ‘Songs from the Wood’ atmosphere.
Autumn sunshine sparkled through the trees and squirrels were scampering about.
Just as I was about to take a photo (of a park bench!) the gardener - who I'd already seen out the corner of my eye, shouted;
“Oi, this is private property!”
Turns out that the park is part of the grounds of Murrayfield Nursing home – a large grade A listed building hidden behind the trees.
As I left the park, someone came out their house.
I told him that I had just been chased from the park. He said that he sees children playing football there on occasions.
Did Ian play there as a child?
Was this the nursing home that Ian’s mum worked in or was that when they moved to Lytham St Anne’s?
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Post by Budding Stately Hero on Oct 15, 2018 20:26:13 GMT
“There are places in Edinburgh....I need to walk around and have some time to explore..” Ian Anderson, interview, 2006On this beautiful, autumnal and chilly morning I decided to take a wander around Ian’s childhood stomping ground of Murrayfield in Edinburgh. Ian’s family moved from Dunfermline to Edinburgh, a distance of 18 miles, when Ian was very young. His childhood – until the age of twelve, was spent in the leafy and affluent suburb/s of Murrayfield and adjoining Roseburn, approx 2-3 miles from the centre of Edinburgh and home to the Scottish National Rugby team's stadium. At the bottom of Murrayfield Avenue is a curious ‘blue Tardis’ box. These were once ‘Police Boxes.’ Originally installed in 1933 and used by policemen ‘on the beat’ to phone in to the station with a note of where they were and to get instructions on what they might do next. Ian must have passed this box and seen the local ‘Bobbies’ using them; maybe he even spoke to one of them. He did say once that he wanted to be a policeman – did this encourage him, or did he just want to see what lay inside the Tardis? If your interested in this Thread you might also like; Tartan Tull I remember reading in Hit Parader (I think) magazine in the mid or late 70's, an interview or article, where it was stated that Ian had, at one time in his youth, wanted to become a policeman. I thought this was the COOLEST thing to hear, considering he was an outstanding musician (and one of my favorites), and he had wanted to do the same job that my father was doing. Little did I know, I would become a policeman. I still get goosebumps, on occasion when I think of him as a very cool policeman. However, we all know the world is a much better place with him standing on one leg. Ian is the absolute coolest dude.
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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 15, 2018 21:19:39 GMT
On the other side of the road from Ian's former home, the houses are even more grandiose. Big, detached and imposing buildings which once housed one family (some might still) but are now converted into hotels or flats. Or in the process... photo to follow I can't stress enough how elegant and 'well to do' this area is and very, very pretty. "Leaves falling red, yellow, brown.." photo to follow No wonder 'leaves' feature in his lyrics - he'd have been stamping on them all the time on the way to school or at play! Or on the way to church (or Sunday School?) photo to follow A couple of yards down the road is the 120 year old, Scottish Episcopalian Church Of The Good Shepherd. According to this post from the Tartan Tull thread; Ian and his family belonged to the Episcopal faith. I assume then that they may have gone to this local church just across the road from his home - in his church finery;resplendent in kilt and polished shoes.
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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 16, 2018 9:29:45 GMT
Coming back down to the bottom of Murrayfield Avenue, the immediate vicinity is still quite ‘country’ despite the busy Corstorphine Road - a main route into the city centre. photo to follow The Water of Leith - a river that snakes through the city, provides a haven for wildlife as well as a pleasant walk with the sound of water gushing alongside. There is a bridge to cross at this point on route to a row of shops. photo to follow The Scottish Gallery of Modern Art is only a fifteen-minute walk from here too. Would young Ian have been taken there? Ian’s mother probably used this route to go for the daily provisions. In those days the shops would have been butchers, bakers – no supermarkets. Nowadays it’s coffee shops, fast food and candle shops. This is also where you get the bus into town. photo to follow
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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 16, 2018 10:00:02 GMT
Ian went to Roseburn primary school – a seven-minute walk from his house, and situated behind the row of shops - next to the rugby stadium. He most likely would have walked, as most people did then – in all weathers, accompanied by his mother (or maybe older brothers) They would have crossed the busy road at the traffic lights. photo to follow This photo shows just how close they were to the stadium (middle of pic) I don’t know of anything recorded that says if Ian was a rugby fan, but he certainly couldn’t avoid the crowds of fans on a match day! Those blocks of flats are fairly new addition to the area. photos to follow Roseburn primary school - a Victorian Listed building, was one of the many Board schools built in Edinburgh following the 1872 Education ActThe building still has the separate door entry for 'Boys' and 'Girls' that was still adhered too up until the 1960's. ( I was unable to get into the grounds - see stone plaque above doorway/s) photos to follow
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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 16, 2018 10:36:12 GMT
Finally on my visit, I noticed two traditional pubs (from the outside - honest!) situated at either corner of the row of shops in Roseburn. The Murrayfield Bar which Ian would have past on route to school. This pub although traditional looking from the outside, has modernised itself inside and is now called a bar and 'kitchen.' However the Roseburn Bar has retained - both inside and out, most of the original features of a Victorian bar built in the 1880's. photos to follow (I did enter the premises - only to take the photo:)) The Roseburn had the 'quaint' feature of only serving women (by a hatch) in one part of the pub as they weren't allowed in the main areas. They didn't have a ladies toilet either - no need. This was probably still the circumstances in the 50's and 60's. Indeed from my memory in Glasgow - a few of theses pubs thought that it was still a good idea! Not sure if Mr Anderson - senior participated in the odd alcoholic beverage but if he did, he may have crossed the doorway of both pubs at one time.
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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 16, 2018 10:39:12 GMT
For Susan
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stevep
Master Craftsman
Posts: 429
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Post by stevep on Oct 16, 2018 14:48:59 GMT
Thanks for posting this interesting info Nonrabbit. I became a huge Tull fan around 1969 but first saw the band on the Warchild tour in 1974 when I went to university in Edinburgh. That concert made me even more of a fan! I shared a flat in Corstorphine and played rugby for Edinburgh Wanderers at Murrayfield - both locations close to IA's old house. I must have passed his house for decades without realising that was where he had lived. I heard fairly recently that he lived near Murrayfield but never knew the exact location.
I remember attending a concert at the the Usher Hall in Edinburgh (I think in 78) when two very well dressed older ladies sat behind us - one mentioned that she was a relative of IA's (maybe an aunt ?).
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stevep
Master Craftsman
Posts: 429
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Post by stevep on Oct 16, 2018 15:03:49 GMT
A quick query regards Tull info in general. I have just had a look at the excellent Ministry of Information site which gives details of all Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson & Martin Barre concerts over the decades. I had not looked on there for ages. It seems very up to date. I just wondered if anyone knows who runs this site - whoever it is does a great job ! www.ministry-of-information.co.uk/setlist/index.htm
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Post by bunkerfan on Oct 16, 2018 19:59:37 GMT
I remember attending a concert at the the Usher Hall in Edinburgh (I think in 78) when two very well dressed older ladies sat behind us - one mentioned that she was a relative of IA's (maybe an aunt ?). Ah yes Steve, that great concert at Usher Hall that we were both at was in fact 1974 Doesn't time fly There weren't too many people sitting behind me, especially "well dressed older Ladies" because I was in row X Here's a ticket I found on t'internet, happy memories
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stevep
Master Craftsman
Posts: 429
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Post by stevep on Oct 16, 2018 21:30:25 GMT
Bringing back some great memories Bunkerfan. I had just started at Heriot Watt uni in Oct 74 and went to see Tull on the 2 nights they were on in the Usher Hall. It was the Warchild tour and they were supported by the all girl group Fanny who had Suzie Quatro's sister in the band. I was playing rugby on the Saturday the first concert was on and was concerned because we were playing away in the Borders somewhere. My rugby mates were saying I had no chance of seeing the concert as the bus would be stopping to drop various people off and also at various pubs on the way back. Fortunately for me the bus broke down on route, the game got cancelled & I just got back in time to see the show start. I dragged along a Malaysian pal to the Sunday concert and he became a big fan too - still have a photo of that concert. Would have been sat very close to you too that night.
I think the next time Tull played Edinburgh was 78 on the Heavy Horses tour though they did play the Glasgow Apollo in 77 (attended both concerts) - strange that we waited almost 3 years for them to come back to Scotland. The concert that the ladies sat behind me was the 78 one in the Usher Hall
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stevep
Master Craftsman
Posts: 429
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Post by stevep on Oct 16, 2018 21:58:41 GMT
Bunkerfan, this is a photo from the Warchild concert in the Usher Hall in Nov 1974. I know it was the second show in Edinburgh as my Malaysian pal had a camera and took the photo. No idea how I still have this almost 44 year later as I can't find anything nowadays (especially if I really really need it). We were up in the "gods" in the Usher Hall though they were nothing comapred to the Glasgow Apollo. Attachments:
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Post by nonrabbit on Oct 16, 2018 22:56:05 GMT
Thanks for posting this interesting info Nonrabbit. I became a huge Tull fan around 1969 but first saw the band on the Warchild tour in 1974 when I went to university in Edinburgh. That concert made me even more of a fan! I shared a flat in Corstorphine and played rugby for Edinburgh Wanderers at Murrayfield - both locations close to IA's old house. I must have passed his house for decades without realising that was where he had lived. I heard fairly recently that he lived near Murrayfield but never knew the exact location. I remember attending a concert at the the Usher Hall in Edinburgh (I think in 78) when two very well dressed older ladies sat behind us - one mentioned that she was a relative of IA's (maybe an aunt ?). Love that image of you sitting at the concert with two well-heeled Edinburgh ladies behind you especially if they were Ian's aunties. I like Edinburgh - a lot. I love the fact that Glasgow (my home) and Edinburgh are so close. I go through every couple of months. I usually get the train to Waverley however this time I got off at Haymarket. I didn't realise how close Ian had lived to the stadium either. It was only a short walk from Haymarket to his house. I saw that concert in Glasgow. I'm going to take a trip to George Watson's were Ian went after primary school. He wouldn't have been there for very long - a year at the most but it's worth noting as well. I have a member of my family who taught there. Also Waverley station must surely have fired the imagination of a young boy and perhaps prompted his lyrics about trains.
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Post by bunkerfan on Oct 17, 2018 8:43:12 GMT
Bunkerfan, this is a photo from the Warchild concert in the Usher Hall in Nov 1974. I know it was the second show in Edinburgh as my Malaysian pal had a camera and took the photo. No idea how I still have this almost 44 year later as I can't find anything nowadays (especially if I really really need it). We were up in the "gods" in the Usher Hall though they were nothing comapred to the Glasgow Apollo. Great photo Steve and it certainly brings back some happy memories of that concert I also took some photo's there but, I had a slide film in my camera and I haven't a clue where I put them Here's your photo enlarged
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stevep
Master Craftsman
Posts: 429
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Post by stevep on Oct 17, 2018 8:50:33 GMT
Thanks for posting the larger photo Bunkerfan. I read Nonrabbits last post about how you add photo's so will do that next time. My pal had an expensive camera when he took that - you would probably get a much better photo with an average phone nowadays.
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Post by Budding Stately Hero on Oct 18, 2018 23:02:39 GMT
[p I'm liking that cloak! It's attractive, yet you can still quickly draw from your belt..... Say, how does one post photos on here? Only a truncheon was kept under the cloak - honest officer! To post you have to use a photo sharing site like Photobucket or Tinypics. There may be others and Photobucket is a bad word here You upload your photo via the instructions and then just copy/paste the link to here.The site that you use should give you instructions, Any problems get back to us. [/p]
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Post by bunkerfan on Oct 19, 2018 8:26:23 GMT
/p]
Sorry, no Tull shirt here. But, I do look to outfit my daughter with a TOTRNRTYTD t-shirt with Ian giving the "Italian Salute". .
Great photo and nice to know we have the law on our side
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Post by Budding Stately Hero on Oct 19, 2018 11:54:04 GMT
Great photo and nice to know we have the law on our side Thanks brother, you should see it. Me cruising down the road popping Tull CD's in and out. Then, at a stoplight, on a warm day when everyone's windows are down......dum-dum-dum-dum!....."You'll hear me calling in your sweet dream!"
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