DUNDEE JUTE STOWERS 1968

[@labrat2277]

Great post, I worked for Malcolm Ogilvies in the 70's, great memories.

[@whydoiwant1]

Toughest Job in Scotland at the time. My Great Grandfather was a mill overseer. My grandad was a weaver and Dad was a mill mechanic. People were happier with there hardship then, than they are now with money!!!!! Great camaraderie and friendship, everyone against the gatekeeper ..lol. In those days neighbours really cared for each other!!!

[@66bigdavy66]

At one point I think that most of the people in Dundee worked in the mills in or other related industrys and when they closed it tore the heart out of Dundee, the mills were all but gone when I was a kid, I grew up in the 70's and moved to London when I was 16 as there was no jobs in Dundee, the 70's-80's were desperate times in Dundee and it has taken Decades to get back on its feet but its a good city and I'm proud to come from there, thanks for posting this it's brought back loads of memories

[@williehools]

That was a great wee story Davy! Thank's for posting.

[@lastbus]

Thanks for sharing Hools, having done my time in the jute mills I reflect back to the the brawn of the guys shifting these bales of jute to the women in the weaving factories who would put todays workers to shame with thier work ethic.

[@sammymac972]

my uncle sonny (ambrose mobsby) is on this along with my uncle matt mcvicar(my mums cousin), god rest their souls xxxx

[@craigmartin5073]

Good to see this footage feature my granddad Jim peem Martin sadly died in 1986 aged 86 was a regular at the Strath bar,

[@BillDFC]

I loved Dundee in the days before they filled in the docks to build the road bridge. All the hustle and bustle of a thriving,busy city with three railway stations, working docks with ships of all types coming and going. They try to tell us Dundee is experiencing a renaissance, but I am not convinced, No body lives in the town centre any more apart from students. Am I being nostalgic?

[@Richard_K1630]

Cool site. I have never heard of Dundee until I came across your site. I would love to come for a visit.

[@newlochee]

I was born in dundee 1939 and remember the jute fires, and many of my neibors working in the mills ( hard long days, not much money) I now live in the usa, and allways think back, Dundee was kind town, and still many good memories, all the best.

[@xamberangel]

You have a fan for life... Liz

[@66bigdavy66]

My grandad was a docker and he told me that now and then you would find snakes etc in the bales of jute, my mum worked as a jenny winder whatever that was but apparently she was very good at it, I remember she had this weird pair of scissors that sort of fitted into that palm of your hand with a hole for your little finger,

[@lec0roh]

Nice pictures...and I love the song

[@williehools]

Thanks for the positive feedback on this wee slideshow folks! These pictures have been gathering dust in Chic Mitchells (Dundee Jute Stower) wardrobe since 1968. He was Matt McVicars best mate and worked with him on a dailly basis for years!

[@sixshootersally]

Spotted my granda, James Thorburn in a few of these pictures. Only pictures I've seen of him at work!

[@williehools]

@xamberangel. Thanks Liz x.

[@66bigdavy66]

John McVicker and my dad once had boxing match youth club because my dad was the only guy near Johns weight, my dad came off worse because John was a boxer so my dad hid up the close where John lived and done him over ahh Dundee doncha just love it.John ran a boxing club in Princes St or Albert St in the early 80's.My grandad said that jute stowers had the hardest job in the world and you had to be over 25 because it would give you bowed legs if you were not fully grown it was well paid though.

[@PeaceAndChips]

nice one hools! what a great donation!! one love x

[@brianarchable]

hi came across this by chance ...brilliant to watch..i think my dad rab Archibald and granddad bob Archibald are in the photos(my dads got black teeshirt on)..died 2008

[@Bagpipe13]

deep stuff sadly missed,god bless.

[@pmally317]

Wha's the band?

[@normancameron6165]

I used to live in baltic street off the wellgate they all used to meet bottom wellgate take blokes on then have there fire in mill before xmas every year to get the big money clearing out ,they all used drink in whities bar good times i was a boy.

[@whydoiwant1]

@Scotty1137 Sine Die is a latin term but means Banned for Life. Although in his older years he was able to run 2 seperate boxing clubs. Fantastic Character!!!!!

[@esperimusic]

A way of life forgotten and unknown to the present generation. It is said jute brought wealth to Dundee,well it made millionaires of a few on the backs of the labour of the many!

[@allandrummond2420]

I was just in the Jute museum as it was free for us schemers in January n yer pics in this vid are up there m8, I hope they payed ye? :)

[@dundee520]

cheers willie , nice vid , ktf

[@66bigdavy66]

Back in the days when there was no health and safety people would occasionally get pulled into machines, they used to close down that bit of the mill and some men would be given alcohol and once they were pissed they would scrape what was left of the poor bastard out of the machine, well thats what my grandad used to say

[@whydoiwant1]

vERY FIRST PICTURE IS JOCK McVicker

[@pmally317]

Soory..they're in yer credits