Children’s Gala Days
As summer approaches and the school year draws to a close ( yes, we are still in school), many towns and villages prepare for their summer festivals or Gala Days. The activities, dates and traditions vary regionally throughout Scotland, but almost everywhere has a local summer party that can last a day or up to a week. Here in Dunfermline we have the Children’s Gala, which is the largest and oldest celebration of its kind.
- Statue of Carnegie in the Glen
Gala Day 1972 by Ken Spowart - gifted to Dunfermline Museum
Thought to be the earliest known photo of Dunfermline Children's Gala - date unknown
Children in the Dunfermline Gala 1954
Mermaid in the 2011 Gala
Gathering for the Big Event
Everyone who was to take part in the parade gathered in a parking lot just off the parade route. I tried very hard to prise my terrified children from each of my legs just long enough to capture some sense of the mounting excitement.
Mermaids on stilts - very impressive!
Giant Deep Sea Divers
There was a great mix of samba bands, these drummers – on stilts – with their heads covered – walking downhill – on a cobbled road – drumming out some sick beats (like ya do), and of course…
Bagpipe bands. Because you just can’t do anything in Scotland without the bagpipes!
My Big Girl's First Parade
View from beneath statue of Carnegie looking back up the High Street
The crowd poured into the Glen and the energy shifted from cheering to congratulating the brave schoolkids, and enjoying the afternoon’s festivities.
Enjoying Her First Gala Day Picnic
As a part of the parade each child get a packed lunch, drink and some treats in their goody bag. It was lovely to enjoy a day full of so many firsts for us but that also continues on our communities’ traditions that have lasted well over a hundred years.
And then the heavens opened and we went home for hot chocolate – ah well!
This is so fun! What a great town you live in! 🙂
I live in Toronto but was born in Dunfermline and lived there till I was 16. I was in the Gala day from 1947 to 1951. it was something to look forward to every year. I remember the Glen so well and having ice cream with everybody dressed in their Sunday best. We used to have races and prizes and had a great time. In 1947 I was on a picture of the Gala day printed in Dunfermline press. I tried to get a print of it but was never successful. The picture of the painting of the Town clock is beautiful and very realistic. I remember the town clock well too when going down the High St. Brings back old memories and makes me nostalgic. Nice to see the old town again. I have never forgotten the Gala days or my old town and never will.
Marion, Thank you so much for sharing this memory! As a newbie to the area I am enjoying discovering all of the new and traditional bits of living here in Dunfermline. You will also be happy to hear that the Carnegie Leisure Centre (Baths) have just re-opened from a specular three year renovation. Maybe a trip back to sunny Scotland could be in your future? Cheers, Jean
Hi Jean, I was browsing through my Favourites area on Windows XP and just noticed your reply above which you wrote on Dec.5,2011. Sorry I didn’t see your reply before now. When I think abiout it, I am not sure if the year was 1947 or 1949 with the Dunfermline Press Gala picture with me in it (at least I think it was me) among all the crowd its a bit hard to tell. the picture. I left Dunfermline in 1952. I think I may have a copy I got from the Press website years ago, but can’t remember where it is. It may be on my old computer which I would have to hook up, so don’t know when I would do that. I will look on my present computer and see if I can find anything. I think I told you I emailed the press to ask about it a few years ago, but they said something about Dunfermline library may have a print of it. I think I emailed them too but cant remember outcome. I just know I never saw the original print or copy. Did I tell you I was in Dunfermline on holiday in 2003? Again, sorry for the delay in replying. I will keep watch here and I checked “Notify me of follow up comments by email”. I have no website.
I will also see if I can find a copy of the picture in the Dunfermline Press from 1947. I will let you know what I can find!
Hi Jean, yes, let me know if you see anything. I think it was 1947 which was my year at Queen anne High school in Dunfermline. A copy of the 1947 may be at Dunfermline library. I was in Dunfermline in 2003 but only for 2 weeks and actually gave up trying to get a copy a long time ago, so never went to the library. and 2 weeks soon passes.
The company I work for now funds the Children’s Gala in Dunfermline. But I must admit, I hide when they look for volunteer stewards (I like a wee drink on Gala Day 🙂 ).
But it is tres groovy to see your own wee ones making the journey! I am still chasing the photo for the woman who emigrated to Canada…
Jean, I just found something really interesting to me on an Internet search. It made my day. You might be interested, let me know. Its a website about films of Dunfermline done by a film maker called James Nairn. some of the films is of the Gala day. click on link below and click on “James Nairn” on the right side link and you will see a list of his films.
http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=1366
One of the Gala day entries is 1951 and has a film taken of the Gala Day. so click on 1951 and you will see the film which is quite clear and nicely done. black and white films preserves usually more clearly than colour. The 1950 film didn’t seem to have a film, and I haven’t checked 1952 and others. But I enjoyed the 1951 film as I was still in high school then.some of the film is quite close up of people, but I didn’t see anybody I know. there is a pause button but it doesn’t seem to work. Anyway, it was an unexpected find for me as I used to do some searches of the Gala Days b ut didn’t seem much. It is very nice to see a film of it as it makes it real to me and I can remember everything. very nicely done film.