According to the West Lothian Courier, the telephone came to Queensferry in 1907 and was at first limited in operation to between Queensferry and Edinburgh.
It was reported in the Gazette in 1917 that the remaining overhead telegraph and telephone wires would be placed underground. Some had already been placed underground previously. The section running from the east end of the town to the foot of the Hawes Brae posed no problems, however the western portion was expected to cause traffic inconvenience in the narrow areas of the High Street and Hopetoun Road. (nothing changed there then!)
Telephone numbers have changed through the years and here are some old numbers for businesses in Queensferry and along the High Street. The connections were dealt with through a telephone exchange in Bank Buildings.
We have not listed present day numbers as we are not a Telephone Directory, but a History Group. Over time more numbers may be added.
(Information taken from old Ferry Fair Programmes).
It was reported in the Gazette in 1917 that the remaining overhead telegraph and telephone wires would be placed underground. Some had already been placed underground previously. The section running from the east end of the town to the foot of the Hawes Brae posed no problems, however the western portion was expected to cause traffic inconvenience in the narrow areas of the High Street and Hopetoun Road. (nothing changed there then!)
Telephone numbers have changed through the years and here are some old numbers for businesses in Queensferry and along the High Street. The connections were dealt with through a telephone exchange in Bank Buildings.
We have not listed present day numbers as we are not a Telephone Directory, but a History Group. Over time more numbers may be added.
(Information taken from old Ferry Fair Programmes).
Image from an unknown Museum
In the 1930’s –
‘Forth Bridge Hotel’, now the ‘Ferry Tap’ – Queensferry 84
‘Walkers Grocer’, now the ‘Queens Spice’ – Queensferry 97
‘Fairlie Butcher’, now’ Maisies’ – Queensferry 12
‘Hawes Garage’, still ‘Hawes Garage’ - Queensferry 23
‘Newhalls Hotel’, now the ‘Hawes Inn’ - Queensferry 15
(Interestingly by the 1950's the 'Hawes Inn' number had changed to -
Queensferry 215)
‘Forth Bridge Hotel’, now the ‘Ferry Tap’ – Queensferry 84
‘Walkers Grocer’, now the ‘Queens Spice’ – Queensferry 97
‘Fairlie Butcher’, now’ Maisies’ – Queensferry 12
‘Hawes Garage’, still ‘Hawes Garage’ - Queensferry 23
‘Newhalls Hotel’, now the ‘Hawes Inn’ - Queensferry 15
(Interestingly by the 1950's the 'Hawes Inn' number had changed to -
Queensferry 215)
Hawes Garage Today. Image: QHG
During the 1940’s
‘The Regal Café’, and the Regal Picture House, demolished
(was next to Rosebery Clock Tower) - Queensferry 259 ‘Bryces Dairy’, now private housing in Brewery Close - Queensferry 220
‘Walter Scott Motor Hirer’, which was the Green Park next to Masonic Hall – Queensferry 211
‘David Davidson Grocer’, now ‘Mauritzio’s’ at Sealscraig - Queensferry 264
‘St.Elia’s Café’, now ‘Antico’ at Orroco Pier - Queensferry 246
‘The Regal Café’, and the Regal Picture House, demolished
(was next to Rosebery Clock Tower) - Queensferry 259 ‘Bryces Dairy’, now private housing in Brewery Close - Queensferry 220
‘Walter Scott Motor Hirer’, which was the Green Park next to Masonic Hall – Queensferry 211
‘David Davidson Grocer’, now ‘Mauritzio’s’ at Sealscraig - Queensferry 264
‘St.Elia’s Café’, now ‘Antico’ at Orroco Pier - Queensferry 246
The back of the Regal Picture House during demolition of part of Brewery Close in 2003 for housing. Image QHG
Stirling Dairy previously Bryces Dairy, now private housing. Image QHG
Grass area beside the Masonic Hall where Walter Scott Motor Hire once was.
Antico at Orocco Pier today, where St Elias Cafe once was. Image QHG
During the 1950’s/60’s
Greenfields, now Mauritzios on Hopetoun Road - Queensferry 335
Hillwood Co-op Draper/Fashion, now The Little Bakery - Queensferry 213
Marshall Morrison & Ass. Architects &Town Planners, Black Castle, now all private - Queensferry 681
Greenfields, now Mauritzios on Hopetoun Road - Queensferry 335
Hillwood Co-op Draper/Fashion, now The Little Bakery - Queensferry 213
Marshall Morrison & Ass. Architects &Town Planners, Black Castle, now all private - Queensferry 681
Mauritzio's on Hopetoun Road today where Greenfields Grocer once was. Image QHG
Black Castle today. Image QHG
© Queensferry History Group 2017
