Interviews of Wilma Grierson

In track 1 of 2 (DG47/24/1/1) Wilma Grierson recalls her childhood living on Kirkdale estate. She speaks particularly about the walled gardens and the planting around the grounds remembering the magnolia tree and the comfrey. Wilma also talks about going to the Sunday school when Mrs Rae was the teacher at Carsluith and she remembers a local man who made beautiful sketches of the local wildlife. She also recalls having a pet hare at home and said they were beautiful creatures to have around and would be very happy in human company.

In track 2 (DG47/24/1/3) Wilma talks more about her early life on the Kirkdale estate. She was born up at the stables, where apartments were renovated for them. At that time, her grandfather worked on the estate and her father at the quarry, although he also helped out around the estate. She recalls the different people she knew around the estate, particuarly the Reid family, who lived in Kirkdale during her childhood, in the 1950s. By this time, the McClaggans had moved to the Birks in Penicuik although they still held shooting rights at Kirkdale. Outwith Kirkdale, Wilma recalled the more general life and social times around Carsluith.

Towards the end of the interview, she recalls the model train set which was built by Mr Reid and occupied a room at the top of the house. She also talks briefly about her time in Aviemore, where her husband was a policeman.