The 'Contact' facility and the three buttons to the right of each message in the guestbook can only be used by the webmaster. If you would like to contact someone who posted a message, please do so via the webmaster (Iain Sommerville) by clicking here. Iain will forward your message to the original poster.

If your message is about family history or tracing relations, you might also find useful pointers on the Family History page.

Submitted by
Name: george costello costagliola
From: burntisland now northampton england
Subject: the docks
Email: Contact

Comments:
i sail into burntisland docks on my yacht seeker 111 when up from my home in northampton any plans for a marina it would bring jobs and money for the town or local boat trips that run from the beach when i was child best wishes george costagliola

Original message added: May 7, 2010

Submitted by
Name: Eric
From: Australia
Subject: Mum's home town
Email: Contact

Comments:
My mum was born in Burntisland back in 1934 and left with her family (Morrison) to start a new life in Australia.
She spoke of her childhood there and had (and still does) many fond memories of growing up in Burntisland.

My grandfather was a ships plater at the dockyards and my gran worked in the local Chemist developing photos.

Mum also worked at the local library (Miss McBride was the head librarian) and also at the Co-op.

I have been trying to find the name of the Chemist in Burntisland back in the 20's / 30's, but having no success. Wondering if there is a possiblity of finding this out.

I was in Burntisland myself about 12 years ago and it was very much a deja vu experience - like i'd been there before - I suppose all the stories we heard as kids coming to life.

For mum and dads 50th year of being in Australia, we sent them both to their respective home countries - mum had never been "home" before then. She wanted to remember it as it was.
She caught up with her life-long school friend in Glenrothes - they have written to each other faithfully since 1952 and each year a new Scottish calendar (the tea towels) arrives in the mail!!

I do have a couple of old school photo's back from the 1940's. I would be more than happy to send them on for posting on your site.

It was a pleasure visitng your site (and of course coming to Scotland).

Best wishes from Australia!

Reply from Iain Sommerville, webmaster:
Hi Eric,

Good to hear from you!

My Heritage Trust colleagues, John Burnett and Eric Johnstone, have supplied the following information about chemists in Burntisland:

Bissett & Gilmour, 67 High Street, 1892-1943. This could also have traded under Andrew Gilmour or Mary Morrison (when Andrina Bissett owned the premises).
Thomas Wilson, 110 High Street (owners Dover & Cuthbert), 1902-1955.
Francis Jackson, 110 High Street, 1956-1966.

John has asked: "Is this Morrison a coincidence with the one mentioned in query? If we establish what chemist we could see if we have photo of it."

Many thanks for your offer of the school photos for the website. I'd be delighted to add them. You can email them by using the email link on the 'Contact' page on the website.

Kind regards,

Iain Sommerville

Original message added: April 27, 2010

Submitted by
Name: Wilma Orrell
From: Blackpool Lancashire
Subject: Childhood memories
Email: Contact

Comments:
Hi

I'm just writing to mention that I enjoyed many a happy trip to Burntisland as a child and young girl. Then I used to live in Bellshill Lanarkshire and was taken both on holiday and days out with my aunt and uncle during the summer holidays. I mostly enjoyed a game of pitch and putt and if I remember correctly a paddle in the outdoor pool and of course a trip to the fair and a bag of chips before setting off for home.

Original message added: April 11, 2010