(Let's start at the beginning!)
We can trace the origins of Queensferry's name back to the 11th Century, when in 1067, a fleeing Princess Margaret and her brother Edgar, on the run from the English Norman Court, reputedly came ashore in the vicinity of Port Edgar. Margaret's brother, Edgar Atheling, Edward the Confessors Nephew, gave Port Edgar its name. Margaret who went on to marry Malcolm Canmore, the Scottish King, regularly used the ferry across the Forth, giving Queensferry its name. (You will be able to read more of this in a future Blog update).
One of the oldest land owning families in the area were the Dundasses of Dundas, It was James Dundas who invited the Whitefriers to Queensferry in c1330. As the Carmelite Order, they established a Priory which still stands today and serves the community as the Priory Church of St Mary, (a Grade A listed building, now a Scottish Episcopal Church. You will be able to read more of this in a future Blog update.). This church is the oldest building in Queensferry.
In 1636 Queensferry was granted Royal Burgh status by King Charles 1. During 16th and 17th centuries, Queensferry was a successful sea port. In 1641 the port boasted as many as 20 brigs and various coastal vessels. The main exports were soap, coal, wool, hides, and salt, whilst importing wines, silks, linen and Baltic timber. It is most likely that Port Edgar would have played its part in this trade not so much as a port, perhaps, but that of an industrial site in support of the export trade. It is recorded that in 1770 there had been a Soap factory on the Port Edgar site. Through the centuries, Port Edgar has been used for a number of industrial concerns, including a Lime works. In the 1850's at the Fisheries, a little to the West of the Port, 30 or more men were employed in the fishing trade, catching Salmon, Conger Eel, Skate, Flounder and Mussels. Up until the early 20th Century, a slaughterhouse was situated at the east end of the Port."
(We hope we have whetted your appetite, and you can read more in future Blog updates).
Backgound painting courtesy of Jim Rae
© Queensferry History Group 2015
(We hope we have whetted your appetite, and you can read more in future Blog updates).
Backgound painting courtesy of Jim Rae
© Queensferry History Group 2015
Port Edgar
The following extracts are with kind permission of Peter A Collinson, condensed from his book 'The Royal Navy at Port Edgar'-2004.
"In October 1975, the White Ensign was lowered for the final time from the quarterdeck mast of HMS Lochinvar, bringing to a close, 100 years and more, of the Royal Navy at Port Edgar. This small horseshoe shaped harbour was Queensferry's Naval Base. As such it served the Nation in War and Peace.
The following extracts are with kind permission of Peter A Collinson, condensed from his book 'The Royal Navy at Port Edgar'-2004.
"In October 1975, the White Ensign was lowered for the final time from the quarterdeck mast of HMS Lochinvar, bringing to a close, 100 years and more, of the Royal Navy at Port Edgar. This small horseshoe shaped harbour was Queensferry's Naval Base. As such it served the Nation in War and Peace.