too easy I think

[beejay1]

What or where is "auld reekie"beejay1

[Iain]

Edinburgh, an old vault/temple that is supposedly haunted, sorry but see my avatar...........

[beejay1]

It is Edinburgh itself, Auld Reekie, meaning basically old smokey due to the constant smog that used to hang over most cities in the UK during 1800's when coal was the most widely used form of fuel in homes and industry.I should have excluded you from that one. Like your avatar by the way, its a little bit like my family crest, Like your preferred tipple as well.
beejay1

[lyctus]

When I was in Ediburugh, I was told the term "auld reekie" came about due to the habit of the merry wives of the burgh emptying the chamber pots out onto the lanes and alleys of the city from their upper floor lodgings.(this was in another time period to the time I was there, possibly a week or so beforehand I would have thought.)
I would be most happy for some-one to pooh-pooh this less than savory explanation.

[HappyHammer]

When I was in Ediburugh, I was told the term "auld reekie" came about due to the habit of the merry wives of the burgh emptying the chamber pots out onto the lanes and alleys of the city from their upper floor lodgings.(this was in another time period to the time I was there, possibly a week or so beforehand I would have thought.)
I would be most happy for some-one to pooh-pooh this less than savory explanation.

Poo poo

Or Winnie winnie which ever you prefer...

HH.

[Iain]

In Gaelic Auld is indeed old and Reek is Smoke but there is also an old pagan temple in Edinburgh which bears the same name, so what Beejay says is correct, and, so is my explanation.
Reek has nothing whatsoever to do with the delicate boquet of the chamber pot, no matter how well matured.

[beejay1]

Re the smelly one, that gave rise to another scottish word GARDELOO which means look out or look ot below!

It derives from the French, regarde en dessous, which chambermaids in france used to shout when emptying the pots into the street below.
This eventually became gardeloo in sotland used by the Scottish maids and possibly English in the 1700's i think when doing the same thing. The word is still used today by kids in Scotland meaning watch out! when dropping things like chamber pots or haggis perhaps on their unsuspecting chums.
beejayi

[beejay1]

As for the gargler. How dare you suggest we are pagans!

Skirt wearers, haggis eaters, drunks, animals, layabouts, unemployed, English haters, wasters and Celtic supporters we may be, but im afraid I must draw the line at Pagan!
Presbyterianism is still going strong
Beejay1

[Iain]

Settle down please, I was born and bred there.................on the right side (read not Glasgow) but moved when my Father became a missionary to spread the word to spread the word
And the old temple in Edinburgh was pagan not presbyterian, knowing the jocks as I do that probably means catholic

[beejay1]

Born in Edinburgh myself, Leith to be precise and went to Leith academy. I suppose I should know where the old temple is but Im afraid I dont, which is a bit embarrasssing cause when I returned from Aussie in 1976 I drove a bus in edinburgh for two years and used to direct all the tourists to the best spots mind you if they went where i told them to I know they had a good time.

Could be spooky this but we are the same age who knows if our paths ever crossed, god forbid I might even owe you some money!!!
regards, beejay1

[simon c]

Beejay1, have you now moved south? Not many Scots would put their location as UK when they could say Scotland. So, I assume you now live in England but can't face us up to it.

PS I lived in Aberdeen for 6 years prior to coming to Australia.

Simon

[Iain]

http://www.auldreekietours.co.uk/default.htm
And you are probably familiar with Watch Out Under chanted by immigrants on the ships to unsuspecting passengers on the lower decks just prior to a bout of sea sickness (chunder).
Born in Winchburgh 12 miles from Edinburgh and went to school at Gresham (one of Englands Public Schools) and finished in Switzerland.
I seem to recall that you may owe me some money

[beejay1]

To Simon. Yes unfortunately I no longer live in Edinburgh but in North wales about 10 miles from Chester and living in wales is not something I want to shout about, the sheep are nice though! only joking, the sheep are terrible in Wales.

To Sir Glenlivet. My older sister now lives in Winchburgh and I visisted her only recently for New Year. back up there for her birthday in a few weeks We stay with mother in law at Cammo when we go up.
My other sister lives over your way now in Coonabarabran , think i mentioned that already.
As you can imagine Winchburgh would probably be beyond recognition(the main street hasnt changed that much however) and is now proving to be a popular area for edinburgh folks as the prices are still reasonable.House prices in edinburgh now amongst the highest in the UK with average price around £170K. As for the money I think its your cousin Im owe.
beejay1

[beejay1]

I think I had a few of those immigrants on my bus most saturday nights after the pubs came out>

Beejay1