ICE SKATING AT SWANNY PONDS - 1970'S

No fake snow needed for this wintry scene from the 70's.
Locals get their skates on and take advantage of the Swanny Ponds being iced over.

MID 70'S AIR SHOT - SWANNY PONDS

Taken a bit higher up this time, you can see quite a spread of detail on this shot, with the main feature of course being the Swanny Ponds. Pitkerro Road running along the left and the Cleppie branching off to the right.

A couple of blocks beyond the Swanny Ponds is Maryfield Hospital. The buildings of the hospital were demolished in 1979/80.

You can also make out the pre-fire Morgan school, and tucked away top right you can just catch glimpse of Tannadice.

THE SWANNY PONDS IN THE 60'S

The Swanny Ponds was about half an hours walk away from where we lived, so when we went there it seemed more like a days outing than a visit to the local park. This would have been the 60's when primary school age.
Did the obvious things like fishing for sticklebacks using a long cane net. Went on the rowing boats that sometimes turned into "water dodgems", usually by accident! I can't recall any paddling looking back now, but I certainly remember on a couple of occasions boys pushing their mates in the water for a lark!
One time, when I was passing on the 13 bus, I saw a group of 4 school kids push a female into the pond. Not one of their mates though, it was a mature woman in her 30's I'd guess. No idea what that was about, but I remember being more shocked than amused. Maybe it was a truant officer..!!
By the way, it looks like Mr.Whippy in the background of the image.
Photo by DC Thomson.Tints by GG.