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Messages - Big Eck

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Aberdeenshire / Re: Neil, Barclay in Bellsquarry
« on: Monday 09 July 12 21:59 BST (UK)  »
Hi Meg,  Small world indeed !  As you now know, I had mentioned to Ian about coming across the forum and, among other things, the postings of Cauther Lassie.  Then today I bumped into him... 'Guess who I was talking to ?'   Spooky !   Your dad's name had my mother searching some of her memory banks too.                                          We lived in the flat above the pub until it was sold to Henry Spurway who turned that into the cabaret bar around 1970/71.  Viewing the pub as my spiritual home, I still drop in every now and again and sample their wares although it's not the place it was in the 70s/80's.                                                                                                               Old habits die hard.                                                                                                                                          I've a picture (somewhere) of Alexander Barclay round the back of the Elm Tree, sitting around a table with three of his cronies, apparently putting the world to rights with the assistance of a bottle of whisky.   He was pensioned out the police after he had a finger bitten off while arresting a drunken Irish navvy in West Calder, sometime in the 1890's.  The photo shows the gap where the finger once sat.   I'll see if I can look it out.     Eric   

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Aberdeenshire / Re: Neil, Barclay in Bellsquarry
« on: Thursday 14 June 12 00:24 BST (UK)  »
Hi Allan.  I happened to come across this site tonight and your interest in the Barclay clan.  If you're still looking for information regarding the family history then get back to me.   My great-grandfather, Alexander Duff Barclay, was Catherine Barclays father.  Alexander had eight children in total.  The first, Jane Barclay was the illegitimate child of his relationship with Helen Cameron.   His first marriage was to Robina Harper while he was a serving police officer.  They had three children, Catherine, Annie and Alexander. Unfortunately in 1882, Robina died aged only 31 from bronchial problems.  Catherine would only have been 8 yrs old.            Alexander re-married and had a further 4 children with his second wife Jane Cockburn.   James, Elizabeth, Agnes and Andrew.   When Alexander retired from the police he took over the running of the Elm Tree Inn in Bellsquarry. The business consisted of two 'arms' at that time, the pub and a coach hire service.  When Alexander died in 1926, his son Andrew Barclay (my grandfather)took over the business which was, in the early days, mainly run by his wife Janet. They remained there until their retiral in 1969.  The pub has always been known as the Elm Tree Inn but back then it was locally referred to as 'Barclays'.  Prior to taking over the pub and indeed for some years thereafter, Andrew worked at Camilty Powder Mill.  When that closed in 1931 he transferred to Roslin Gunpowder mill and remained there driving the powder lorries until being called up c.1940.   As I mentioned, if there's anything I can help you with, let me know.   Eric

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