South Queensferry

For other places with the same name, see Queensferry (disambiguation).

South Queensferry
South Queensferry  South Queensferry shown within Edinburgh
Population	9,370 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	NT129783
Council area	City of Edinburgh
Lieutenancy area	Edinburgh
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	SOUTH QUEENSFERRY
Postcode district	EH30
Dialling code	0131
Police	Lothian and Borders
Fire	Lothian and Borders
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Edinburgh West
Scottish Parliament	Edinburgh West
List of places: UK • Scotland • Edinburgh

South Queensferry (Scottish Gaelic: Taobh a Deas Chas Chaolais), also called Queensferry, is a former Royal Burgh in West Lothian now part of the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located some ten miles to the north west of the city centre, on the shore of the Firth of Forth between the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge, approximately 8 miles (13 km) from Edinburgh Airport. Queensferry is referred to as South Queensferry in order to distinguish it from North Queensferry. It has a population of around 12,000.

The Scottish Gaelic name "Taobh a Deas Chas Chaolais" means "[the] Southern Side of [the] Steep Strait". The name "Cas Chaolas" (Steep Strait) is older than the English name; it can be applied to either North or South Queensferry, or both. The queen referred to is Saint Margaret of Scotland who is believed to have established a ferry at this point for pilgrims on their way north to St Andrews. She died in 1093 and made her final journey by ferry to Dunfermline Abbey. Her son, David I of Scotland, awarded the ferry rights to the abbey. Other local Gaelic placenames include Echline (Eachlann - horse enclosure) agus Duntarvie (Dùn Tarbhaidh - fort of the bull).

There were ferries at South Queensferry until 1964 when the Forth Road Bridge was opened. Ferry services continue to run from the harbour to the islands within the Firth of Forth, including Inchcolm.

Local traditions

The Ferry Fair

A local fair dates from the 12th century. The modern fair, dating from the 1930s, takes place each August and includes the crowning of a local school-girl as the Ferry Fair Queen, a procession of floats, pipe bands, and competitive events such as the Boundary Race. The Fair also has a dedicated radio station, Jubilee1, which in May 2007 was awarded a licence to evolve into a full Public Service Community Station for North and South Queensferry. For more information on the Ferry Fair Festival please visit http://www.ferryfair.co.uk. At the Ferry Fair, almost 50 sheep are sheared to commemorate the shaving of all the townspeople's heads in the 11th century.

The Burry Man

The Burry Man takes a rest supported by his two attendants.

Main article: The Burryman

South Queensferry hosts the strange annual procession of the Burry Man during the Ferry Fair. This unique pagan-like cultural event is over three hundred years old, but its true origins are unknown. The name "Burry Man" almost certainly derives from the hooked fruits of the Burdock plant - burrs - which serve as the central feature of his dress, although some have suggested that it is a corruption of "Burgh Man", since the town was formerly a royal burgh.

A local man is covered from head-to-toe in sticky burrs which adhere to undergarments covering his entire body, leaving only the shoes, hands and two eye holes exposed. On top of this layer he wears a sash, flowers and a floral hat and he grasps two staves. His ability to bend his arms or sit down is very restricted during the long day and his progress is a slow walk with frequent pauses. Two attendants in ordinary clothes assist him throughout the ordeal, helping him hold the staves, guiding his route, and fortifying him with whisky sipped through a straw, whilst enthusiastic children go from door-to-door collecting money on his behalf. The key landmarks on the tour are the Provost's office and each pub in the village.

The Loony Dook

The name "Loony dook" is a combination of "Loony" (short for "lunatic") and dook, a Lowland Scots term meaning "dunk". A recently instituted event whereby people dive into the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth on New Year's Day, often in fancy dress. In recent years the event has attracted people from all over the world, including many people visiting Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay. A proposal to charge people to participate in this event was recently announced, the proceeds of which will benefit RNLI South Queensferry.

Brass band

Queensferry has a community brass band that evolved from being a school brass band to a youth band and finally to its present status as a competing adult band. It came third in the 2006 Scottish Brass Band Championships 4th section contest and fourth in 2007. In addition to competing, it takes part in many community events including the Ferry Fair. In addition to this there is a school brass band that has won the Community section of the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships in 2005 and 2006.

Christmas in Queensferry

Queensferry is lit up over Christmas with lights along the famous High Street. In 2011, the annual ceremony for the switching-on of the lights which took place on Thursday 1st December. The size of the town Christmas tree caused controversy in 2011 as it was tiny. The council responded saying it was a safety hazard.

Places of interest

South Queensferry seen from the Forth Road Bridge.

Jublilee Clock Tower, South Queensferry.

On the High Street

• St Mary's Episcopal Church. This is the town's oldest building, dating from 1441. It is a rare example of a surviving church of the Carmelite Order of friars.
• Black Castle - Built in 1626. When the original owner, a sea-captain, was lost at sea, his maid was accused of paying a beggar-woman to cast a spell. Both women were burned for witchcraft.
• Plewlands House - A 17th century mansion in the centre of the village, managed by the National Trust for Scotland since 1953.
• The Tolbooth - On the High St. dating from the 17th century, with clock-tower built in 1720.
• Old Parish Church, The Vennel - dating from 1633 with an interesting early graveyard.

The Hawes Inn, dating from the 17th c., east of South Queensferry (lying almost under the rail bridge on its south side) features in Robert Louis Stevenson's book Kidnapped. Opposite here you can catch the ferry to Inchcolm.

The cemetery on the south approach to the town is unremarkable other than the very large number of war graves all stemming from the Battle of Jutland who were brought here for burial.

Between Easter and the end of October, the 'Maid of the Forth' ferry runs cruises from Hawes Pier to Inchcolm island, allowing an opportunity for passengers to explore the island itself as well as enjoy breathtaking views of the Forth bridges and coasts. A shuttle bus runs between Hawes Pier and Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh to link with the cruises.

Wining and dining

There are a large selection of pubs, bars and restaurants within Queensferry. The High Street is home to many bars and restaurants, such as the Ferry Tap, Anchor Inn, Stagshead Hotel (The Stag), Orocco Pier (formerly Queensferry Arms), Boathouse and The Two Bridges.

Stately homes

• Hopetoun House - Two miles to the west, a splendid Georgian stately home designed by the Scottish architects Sir William Bruce and William Adam and situated in 150 acres (607,000 m²) of parkland. Home to the Earls of Hopetoun since 1699.
• Dalmeny House - Two miles to the east, Dalmeny House was built by English architect William Wilkins in 1817 and is the home of the Earls of Roseberry. It houses the Roseberry and some of the Rothschild collections.
• Dundas Estate - One mile to the south. A 9-hole golf course has been established in its parkland since 1957. Each year it hosts a "The Life of Jesus Christ", an Oberammergau-type open-air passion play.

Commercial development

In recent years in Queensferry there has been commercial development of the Ferrymuir area of the town. What was formerly fields bordering the A90 road into Edinburgh now houses a large Tesco, Frankie & Benny's New York Italian Diner, a Burger King and the luxury Dakota hotel. Further into the town, beside the Scotmid grocery store in The Loan Centre, many other shops are open (and many properties remain uninhabited).

Parish Church

Queensferry Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. The church buildings are located in The Loan; it was originally built as South Queensferry United Free Church. Following the union of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland in 1929, the UF Church became known as St Andrew's Church and the old Church of Scotland congregation as the South Church. The two congregations were united in 1956, becoming Queensferry Parish Church. The old South Church building was sold in 1970.

The Reverend John Carrie was minister from 1971 until his untimely death in 2008. In 1972 he started an annual sponsored walk across the Forth Road Bridge for Christian Aid, so far raising over £1,000,000. In 2009 the Rev. David Cameron transferred from Newton Mearns to Queensferry Parish Church.

Queensferry is also home to St. Margarets Roman Catholic church also located on The Loan. Mass is held daily and taken by Father Tony.

Cemetery

The cemetery lies on Ferrymuir Lane at the south end of the town off Kirkliston Road.

It contains a poignant number of World War I war graves relating to sailors killed in the Battle of Jutland.

Schools

South Queensferry has three primary schools (Echline Primary, Queensferry Primary and St. Margarets Primary) and one secondary school (Queensferry High School).

See also

• Forth Road Bridge
• Forth Bridge
• North Queensferry
• Dalmeny

External links

• Undiscovered Scotland: Queensferry
• Flora Celtica: The Burry Man
• History of the Ferry Fair
• Queensferry and District Community Council
• Queensferry History Group