Oral History Project
CELEBRATING OUR SITE IN THE CITY
Holmehill Community Buyout has collected memories of times on Holmehill for inclusion in our local history project.The dun of Dunblane is at the heart of the cathedral city. In particular, we wanted to record people’s reminiscences of the part of the hill known locally as ‘the Hieliemans’ (most probably from the time when highlanders grazed their cattle on their way to market). This parcel of land was given to Dunblane Council by the local philanthropist and former owner of Holmehill House, Grace Donaldson, whose family owned the Donaldson Shipping Line.
This gift of open space in 1941 has been enjoyed by many down the years. One resident Bob spoke fondly of his children playing in the ‘Sandy Pit’ and of children inventing games on the grassy slopes after the war- ‘just with anything - an old tyre- there were no toys as such around then’. Such memories convey the value of the hill: not in money terms but in terms of enhancing the quality of life for children and adults in Dunblane. Fun in the City, indeed!
Holmehill Community Buyout has recorded the memories of local people. Copies of our booklet are available free of charge in Dunblane Library. Donations welcomed.
