The Sea Battle of the Forth 16th October 1939 On 16th October 1939 passers-by on the Terrace in Elie were treated to what they thought was an exciting practice for the war. Margaret Gaunt (nee Moyes) recalls – “I was seven – we were in the gardens fronting Archbold House…

This article is based upon the experiences of Jimmy Linton, who had the concession for salmon fishing from the Crown Estates. “I started the salmon fishing the 1950s, it having been done by Johnston’s of Montrose before then. I paid £5 per year to the Crown Estates for the right…

For many years Terras’s Shoe Shop in Elie was well-known for being able to produce the right shoes to fit almost any foot (and usually also the left foot!).  Many Elie visitors during the summer patronised Terras’s shop but what was the origin and history of this business? Lindsay Terras,…

Edited by Graham Johnston This article is based upon conversations with Anne and Robin the grandchildren of the original Robert Cumming and their memories of the shop and their grandparents. Robin starts “I very well remember my grandfather’s shop in Earlsferry High Street – Robert Cumming the grocer was his…

By Zena Walker Zena says “My father’s business started in 1945. He came from Wishaw originally but he left Wishaw and first of all came to Leven where he worked as an electrician at the foundry. He used to do repairs for people and would go to their houses. He…

The following article was sent in by David A. Rodger of Vancouver, Canada. I lived, in Elie, as a child with my mother during WWII (1941-46). Our rented home was on South Street; 23 or 26 I believe.  My mother died many years ago, so I am turning to you…

By Julia Campbell [ms Crombie] b. Elie 1922 There were certain days and time for the tradesmen to call and everything was so orderly. I cannot recall exactly now who came and when but here are a few interesting memories. Monday the dustman came to collect the rubbish. Any container,…

By Julia Campbell [nee Crombie]. b. Elie 1922 Small Shops, Elie 1930s – High Street from Station Menzies – Bookstall at the Station Sweet Shop Shoe Shop – Terras Butchers Shop – McCallum then Hughes Greigs – Garage Shop Graham – Bakers Drapers – Miss Betts two sisters owned this shop…

Memories of medication in the 1930s onward. Julia Campbell [nee Crombie]. b. Elie 1922 The medication we were given in the 1920s and 1930s and even later makes interesting reading considering what we are having to take in this century. When my sister and I had a cold my mother…