Remembering Pitcorthie
Article written by: Frank Connelly
In this first series of Remembering…., we look back at one of the first large estates of private houses to be constructed in Pitcorthie in Dunfermline.
The first photograph is of the top of Queensferry Road before the estate was built and the first occupants moved there in April 1966.
The same viewpoint today would show the King Malcolm Hotel and the top of the housing estate in Pitcorthie.
The track in the centre of the road was where the trams to Rosyth Dockyard once ran.
The next photograph is of Oak Grove in 1971. It developed the nickname of ‘Spam Valley’ because it was regarded as so expensive to buy a house there that residents couldn’t afford to pay a mortgage and eat well at the same time.
Shona de Rose was unaware at the time of this reference to houses being unaffordable: "When I went to Dunfermline High School people said 'Spam Valley' when I said where I lived. I'd never heard of it before - I didn't even know what Spam was!"
To a modern eye the cost of a house there doesn't look too dear, with prices ranging from £3,395 for a three-bedroom semi-detached villa to £4,475 for a four bedroom detached bungalow.
The estate was regarded as a safe place for young families to grow up and evokes strong memories in people who grew up there.
For Martin Moyes, “Great childhood, fantastic memories....the woods, yellow/burnt island, the Crem, Pitreavie playing fields, the RAF base (cheese cutter), brilliant pinching wood from the building sites to build our BMX ramps, platform swing and death slides !!!!! Bonfire near the woods for Guy Faulkes, great times!”
Dean Spriddle has similar fond memories: “My folks moved to Burt Grove in 1970 or so, and my mum still lives there. Great safe place to grow up and Pitreavie Golf Course 5 minute walk. I remember “helping” my dad build the garage - still standing so that’s good!”
Jenny Gardner stayed in a couple of different locations on the estate: “Moved to Masterton Rd in 1971, then moved to Burt Grove in late 70's. Had a fantastic childhood in Pitcorthie & would not change it for the world. You were safe & could play anywhere-even in the woods or the grounds of the Crematorium.”
The next photograph from around 1927 is of the junction of Queensferry Road and Aberdour Road with tram tracks in place. The houses in view are still there today. The 'Paint Shed' (which occupies what used to be the extension to the Cottage Inn pub called ‘Castaways’) is now on the left of the photograph.
At that stage it was open farmland further along on the north side of Aberdour Road before bungalows were later built there.
Our final image is a view looking up Queensferry Road towards Dunfermline near where Pitreavie Golf Club is today on the right of the road. Pitreavie Industrial Estate would later be constructed on the left hand side of the road.
Thanks to OnFife for the kind permission for use of these images.