McDougalls of Golfhill Drive
Jim Thomson posted on the 25/11/2013 7:54:30 PM
Does any one remember the McDougall's of Golfhill Drive who owned a Butcher's shop in Duke St ? Their son Ronnie was the local promoter who brought the Beatles to Glasgow when they played the Odeon in 1963. I remember Ronnie brought 3 of the Beatles(Paul, Ringo and George) back to his house to meet his mum - no one was out side their close when they went in , but full of screaming girls when they left. I lived in the next close.
- 10 Replies :
#1 - Pamela replied on the 26/11/2013 11:49:35 AM
Hi there, I don't remember the McDougall's but my husband's uncle lived in Golfhill Drive, Bruce Burns and he told me this story the last time he was in Glasgow. Â He has many happy memories of his time there.
#2 - Orla replied on the 26/11/2013 9:58:02 PM
I remember Mcdougalls butchers ,it was on Duke street near Meadowpark street ,Doigs the newsagent was next door.
#3 - Frank replied on the 29/11/2013 12:11:04 AM
I went to St mary's primary school with a boy called Ronnie McDougall. At that time he lived with his parents in Sidney Street. Ronnie was born in 1947 so couldn't have been the promoter Ronnie mcDougall you mention. He could have been his son. I always wonder where young Ronnie ended up. After we left primary we never met again.Would be nice to get in touch again as we got on together. Anybody have any info.
#4 - Ian_inaz replied on the 30/11/2013 8:34:40 PM
I remeber the Mcdougalls well.
Ronnie Mcdougall had the butchers shop in Duke St close to Meadowpark St.
There were 2 sons, Alan, and David, both very musical.
David I think went to London and was in a band, but dont think he ever made it big, so to speak. He may well have been a session musician.
Alan was the older brother and he was in the business, and brought the Beatles up to his Mum and Dad's in Golfhill Dr.
I remember seeing the Limo parked outside the close.
I went up to the house when he had brought up Alan Clarke of the Hollies and Spencer Davis.
Alan I believe was the publicist at one time for Elton John.
He also wrote a musical column at one time for a girls magzine like The Jackie or something, his nom de plume being Alan Alan.
I believe he passed away in LA from Cancer related illness, maybe late seventies.
Not sure where David ended up.
I also remember Bruce Burns, as someone else mentioned, and his brother Grant.
Pamela, have you any idea where Grant Burns is?
#5 - bruce Burns replied on the 4/12/2013 1:36:19 PM
remember all this so well, i lived in the next close(265)__ Alan did pass away, but David lives in Manchester i think, my brother Grant lives in Lenzie and has done since the family including myself moved there in 1963, For interest sake i am living in Cape Town and have done since 1970, was back in May for my Mums 90th birthday and just had to go to Golfhill Drive, still the same---thanks all for all the memories
#6 - Willie Hervo replied on the 23/10/2020 1:40:20 AM
I worked in McDougalls Butchers . From 1961 to 1969..Unfortunately I missed the beatles arriving by minutes. But I did meet the Hollies and Long John Bawldry..Ronnie's wife was called Molly, and his two lads were Alan and David..
We had a big basement in the shop where we made all the sausages , black pudding , haggis, potted meat . Etc.. I still have dreams about working there , and I can still see the faces of the men I worked with .I will be 75 next year ..Duke St was a great place then.
#7 - Ian_inaz replied on the 26/10/2020 4:14:10 PM
Willie Hervo. Must have passed you by many times. My parents were friends of the Mcdougalls, and as a kid Id be down with my mum every day to Duke St. My gran stayed in first close round the corner from the butchers. Was in the shop many many times, and remember Ronnie would invite my mum into the office for a dram! hahaha. Always remember he would have a 'Glamour' calendar up on the wall!
Also remember one of the butchers called 'Alex', and remember the 'Half' cows hanging up in the shop.
Changed days in Duke St now.
#8 - David McDougall replied on the 12/12/2020 7:45:25 PM
Just been alerted to this post. I am The David McDougall that is referred to here. Most thing posted are pretty accurate. My brother Allan did bring three of The Beatles to our house one Sunday morning. My Dad was having a long lie and decided not to get up to meet them. He didn't realise that they were on there way to becoming superstars. Alan Clarke of The Hollies and Spencer Davis also came to the house to sign the band I was in My brother Allan passed away 25 years ago. He had fought cancer and had recovered but the chemo had had a detrimental effect on his heart and he was on the transplant list in Los Angeles in 1988. No heart was found but after a triple bypass he lived for several more years finally succumbing to Sepsis after a hip operation. I now live in Stockport Cheshire and am retired.
#9 - Harry Leggett replied on the 4/10/2024 9:16:03 AM
Hi Dave, It's Harry your old best man. Love to catch up after some 50 years. You can email me on harry605@bigpond.com
#10 - IAN TEMPLETON replied on the 21/10/2024 6:01:50 PM
I am a Police Historian and many people do not possibly know that one of the additional famous people of Denniston was a WILLIAM CRAIG ( I have the dates of birth)
The family lived at 6 Golfhill Drive in 1850's. His mother was Isabella Maiden name BEGG and Father George.
William was a potter by trade and when he was 21 joined the army for 12 years the BLUES AND ROYALS in London.
He served for 12 years in Egypt and Sudan and was highly commended and was given medals for his service.
He in 1988 went to America (Chicago) and was a great swordsman demonstrating the art of sword play.
He was subsequently recognised by the newly formed United States Secret Service and later assigned to protect President Theodore Roosevelt. Whilst doing so he was killed in 1902 and has been recognised by that service as the First Secret Service agent to die whilst protecting a US President.
I am simply looking for some information about the area of Denniston at that time.
His mother Isabella Begg CRAIG went to America and lived in Chicago.
His father George I have little information on but there may be something.
Should anyone be able to help in any way regarding what happened to 6 Golfhill Drive I will be most grateful.
The WILLs cigarette factory was built on an area of GolfhillDrive but there are a few anomalies somewhere regarding this
I can be contacted at polcurator@msn.com I am based presently in Aberdeen, Scotland a Glaswegian in exile but still a Glaswegian born and bred and can verify my credentials if required.
Just another famous name to be added to the list that is as yet not listed. Thank you
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