Your memories: 'It was like living in an oven – and we loved it'

Published on Saturday 12 July 2008 10:49

WHILE the Scottish summer started off well, with soaring temperatures, week-long bouts of sunshine and everyone flocking to the Capital's gardens and neighbouring beaches, lately it's been a bit of a washout.

Forecasters are predicting a wet summer – with unpredictable weather the new summer staple. But, according to 74-year-old Mavis Gallagher, a retired nurse from Liberton, Edinburgh summers used to be all about fun in the sun.

She recalls: "It was very black and white 50-odd years ago. Spring was warm and summer was hot, autumn was cool and winter was cold. We all knew what to expect – climate change and the damage we've all done has changed all of that.

"While the Scottish summers were never comparable with the heat and sun you get in Majorca and the Balearics, we did have lovely sunshine and it was a time us girls could get our pretty dresses out and enjoy sitting in outdoor cafes sipping ginger or homemade lemonade.

"Back in the 40s, when I was just a young thing, we had a scorcher of a summer – and it was before the days of sunscreen and all that skin cancer awareness. The poor men of Edinburgh were sweltering in their dandy suits, and I remember some women were fainting with the heat – especially those who worked in offices and in the wards. Back then we didn't have things like air conditioning and opening the windows wasn't enough.

"Places like Portobello beach and the neighbouring swimming pool, Granton, the Water of Leith and even Holyrood Park were a heaving mass of swimsuit-clad bodies come the weekend. There was such a party atmosphere then, with ice creams as the ultimate treat.

"Even in the 50s, 60s and 70s summer in Scotland was, well, summer. There was a heatwave in 1976 and it was like living in an oven – and we loved it. You didn't go abroad really, so summer was at home, where it should be. Gullane, North Berwick, Yellow Craigs and Green Craigs were always thronging and you couldn't beat a barbecue out there.

"It's such a shame our summer this year isn't going to be a good one. But then again, we're always famed for our hot Septembers so, you never know."