Your memories: Leith pageant made Hibs legend feel like royalty

Published on Saturday 7 June 2008 10:38

TODAY is gala day at the Leith Festival and Lawrie Reilly remembers feeling like royalty when he and his wife Iris were guests of honour at the area's pageant around ten years ago.

The 79-year-old Hibs legend and former 'Famous Five' footballer says the crowds lined the streets as their limousine took them from Pilrig Park and down to Leith Links.

"I can remember I kept looking to see all the people I knew. You felt like royalty sitting in the back of the open car there. It was a very good turnout.

"I think it's a great thing for a community to have a pageant, not just Leith. I think it gives everybody a wee boost.

"It certainly gave us a wee boost, my wife and I, sitting in the back of a car. When we saw certain friends in the crowd, we gave them a wee wave – I don't think the Queen does that," he laughs.

Lawrie recalls that he was invited by the local Chamber of Commerce at a time when he made a great deal of public appearances, supporting good causes in the Edinburgh community.

Lawrie was born in St Stephen's Street, Stockbridge, at his grandmother's house. However, he grew up in Bryson Road in the Merchiston area, where he spent a happy childhood.

An injury cut the centre forward's football career short and he retired from the game at the age of 29, then becoming a full-time publican.

Lawrie purchased the Bowler's Rest when he was still playing football, and his retirement from the game meant he took up position behind the bar on a full-time basis.

The Mitchell Street pub kept Lawrie busy until he retired at the age of 64, but looking back he recalls this stage of his career as a happy one.

"You got to meet a lot of people owning a pub and there's an awful lot of nice people in that area, I must say," he says.

"I was very happy down there."