Edinburgh couples share memories of the Capital’s most romantic meeting place as Binns Clock restoration unveiled

Restoration work on one of Edinburgh’s best-known landmarks, which for decades has been a romantic meeting place for lovers and couples in the Capital, was completed on Valentine’s Day this year by the team behind Johnnie Walker.

The classic timepiece had fallen into a sad state of neglect and disrepair over recent years, but it has now been meticulously restored to its former glory

The beautiful cantilever clock is located on the corner of Princes Street and Hope Street at the heart of the city, making it the ideal rendezvous point for couples meeting before an evening out. It is known locally as the ‘Binns Clock’ after the former department store that first installed it in 1960.

Sadly, the classic timepiece had fallen into a sad state of neglect and disrepair over recent years.

But it has now been meticulously restored to its former glory as part of the Johnnie Walker Princes Street development and unveiled as a symbol of hope for future generations who will meet again under the clock, at the whisky visitor experience, in the future.

Fiona and Eric Kinsey met for their first date at the clock

For over six decades, the clock has served as the ultimate meet cute location for thousands of love stories.

Fiona Kinsey, 61, a retired civil servant from Edinburgh now living in North Berwick, met her husband Eric Kinsey, 61, fellow retired civil servant and part-time tour guide, for their first date at the clock in 1972.

Unbeknownst to the love-struck teenagers, this first date would be the start of many.

Fiona said: “I used to meet my now husband of 41 years at the clock. We were both 17 and couldn’t drive so his dad would drive him there and my dad would drive me too.

Jim and Janette now and on their wedding day, the couple had a meet-up point mix-up almost ruined their almost 60-year-long love story before it had even begun.

“It was the perfect meeting spot as the West End was usually busy so it felt safe, also you couldn’t miss the building or the clock.

“Eric was the only date I met at the clock. We used to meet there on quite a number of occasions – we often met at the clock at lunchtime as we both worked in town. I remember the clock being very grand as it was black and gold. I loved it when it was time for the pipers to go round and I remember folk standing and waiting for them as well.

“Before we knew it, we were engaged in 1978 and married in 1979.

“It would be nice to use the clock again as a meeting place. When we found out the clock was being restored, we both said, ‘do you remember we used to meet there?’. It brought back happy memories for us and we’re sure many others will make their own now too.”

Nan and Douglas Jeffrey met for their first date under the clock

For retired medical receptionist, Janette MacGregor Watt, 74, and retired chauffeur, Jim Richie Watt, 76, a meet-up point mix-up almost ruined their almost 60-year-long love story before it had even begun.

Janette said: “The first date I had with my now husband was to meet at the West End at 8pm. All meetings in those days at the west end were under the clock at Binns. 8:15pm came, then 8:30pm and at 8:45pm I realised I had been stood up.

“With pride hurt, I was walking across the road when I noticed my date coming towards me. He had been waiting at Rankins across the road. We have now been married 53 years.

“We often wonder how our lives would have turned out if we had never noticed each other on the road, we will never know.”

Another couple who met for their first date at the clock at Johnnie Walker Princes Street are retired 75-year-old Nan Jeffrey and 77-year-old Douglas Jeffrey from Edinburgh.

Nan, who now lives in Dunfermline with her husband, said: “I met Dougie when I was 17 and he was 19 in early 1963. My friend introduced me to him in a cafe which was across the road from clock.

“He came from the Leith area of Edinburgh and I came from Fountainbridge area. We arranged to meet under the Binns clock because we could each get a bus from opposite ends of town.

“We met there regularly as it was easy to get from there to the Palais where we both loved to dance - jiving was our thing - or to the local cinema.

“The first time we met at the clock, I was there first. In fact, I was always there first. It was a few dates later he told me he would be in the Rutland bar where he could watch for me waiting under the clock. He always had to finish his pint first - we can laugh about it now!

“I remember seeing the same faces on a Friday or Saturday night patiently waiting or pacing up and down keeping an eye on the time. I saw many happy meetings at the clock, but I also saw many girls upset after being stood up.

“I think it is wonderful the clock is being restored, hopefully we’ll see many more romances blossom.”

The clock has been restored over the past year by The Cumbria Clock Company which has worked on some of the UK’s most famous timepieces, including The Great Clock (Big Ben).

They dismantled the timepiece to study its original mechanics and colours, including the hand painted highland figures that march out of the clock to mark the hour and half hour, before meticulously rebuilding it.

They have also repaired the musical mechanism which plays the traditional Scottish tunes ‘Caller Herrin’ and ‘Scotland the Brave’ every half an hour as the kilted figures march out of the clock. In keeping with tradition, the Highland figures will emerge to the musical accompaniment every seven and 37 minutes past the hour.

Barbara Smith, managing director of Diageo’s Scottish Brand Homes, said: “The restoration of the clock has been a lovely part of our work at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. Its heritage and connection with the local community is so poignant, particularly now when people are desperately missing being able to meet and socialise together.

“We wanted to unveil the restored clock in time for Valentine’s Day this year as a symbol of hope for the future, and we can’t wait to see future generations meeting under the clock at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, before enjoying a wonderful day or night out in Scotland’s Capital city.”

Mark Crangle from the Cumbria Clock Company said: “It has been a meticulous process restoring the clock to its original condition. We had to delicately strip back worn paintwork to source and match the clock’s original colours and gold trimmings, and we spent a great amount of time on the speed and timings of the bells, tunes and pipers to ensure it all matched perfectly.

“Working on this restoration project has been such a privilege and I’ve really enjoyed hearing the stories of what the clock means to locals and how it’s played a role in so many special memories. These stories really consolidate why we do what we do, and we can’t wait for Edinburgh residents to now be able to enjoy the clock again in all its grandeur.”