RIGHT AS RAIN UP THE HACKIE

1st October 1982 : After leaving the Tav, blootered, me, Paula & Marian, decided to go for some grub along the Nethergate. It was raining, but we cared not a jot. Giggling and staggering about trying to negotiate the wee side streets beside the University, one of us suggested that we all change clothes. It seemed like a stoopid idea, so needless to say we all agreed. We found an alcove in one of the buildings where we proceeded to exchange togs. Luckily for me they weren't wearing anything too girly! Now that the 3 of us looked complete idiots, the laughter increased. Further down I spotted this overflowing ronepipe gushing like a waterfall, so we all dashed over and stood under it until we were absolutely drenched. It was all rather hysterical by the time we reached the Nethergate, but we managed to get to the Chinese takeaway. We trooped in like drooned rats, with the girl behind the counter looking a bit concerned. Off the top of my head I ended up telling her that we were over in Tayport, missed the last bus and so had to swim back across! Just for a couple of seconds she actually believed it, till we burst out laughing and gave the guff awa'..!!

THE TAV - 70'S & 80

Ye Olde Tavern in Hawkhill was more commonly known as "The Tav".

Because of its location, it was very popular with University students & Art College students.

This popularity was highlighted in July 1976 when the pub was due to close down for demolition.

Someone came up with the idea to move all of the pub's original interior fittings and rebuild it in the University Student's Union.

And so that's what they did.

The cutting above, published in 1976, has more info but you'll need to click onto it to bring up the large version to read.

The thing about it is, The Tav never actually got demolished in the 70's.

I used to drink there in the late 70's/early 80's and so know for sure that the pub was still doing biz during those years.

It was just kinda refurbished a bit and then it was business as usual right up to around the mid 80's when it did finally shut its doors for the final time.

The photo, taken around '83, shows the segment of old Hawkhill where The Tav was based just before it's demise.

Shortly after, the area was fenced off and the building flattened forever.

The 2 dates do cause confusion though, because when people refer to when the Tav closed, some have it as mid 70's and others have it as mid 80's.

So in summary, the original Tav interior disappeared mid 70's but the pub/building itself disappeared mid 80's.

No idea why there was such a delay in the demolition process mind you.

UP AN DOWN HAWKHILL IN THE 70'S

 

Here's a well trodden cobbled path....the view up Hawkhill from Westport.
I can recall on more than one occasion, me and my mates "galloping" up & down here from pub to pub, in the style of Monty Pythons human horses in the Holy Grail film..!! The silly sods that we were!!!
Keeping the Python humour going, a year or so later when one of our mob got married, a couple of us wore a "lupin" in our jacket lapel at the wedding!!
In fact, we actually had the smoker in the back room of the Tav.
Talking of the Tav, some of you may remember the excellent sketches of Dundee done by local artist, Stephen French. Well when these buildings on the right of the photo (MC Bar to The Globe) were restored in the 80's, he opened up a studio/shop in Johnston's Lane - next to the corner shop in the picture.
He sold sketches, quirky sculptures, and a range of other modern artefacts. I can remember even the blinds on the shop window were very arty, having a holographic design etched into them. Cutting edge interior design indeed.!!
I also have a hazy memory from back then that French had a stint as designer for "Memphis" of Milan. Memphis were a radical, avant garde design team who made outrageous interior décor, causing a bit of a sensation in the 80's, most of which are now only seen in art galleries and museums.
However, I can't find any info about the French/Memphis link anywhere, that is just one of those wee facts stored away in my mind that I assume must have got there by reading a piece about him in a magazine way back in the 80's.
All that superb stuff he done, and yet no details on any of it.
About time there was a book about him and his work.
Until then, this sketch above is one I have in my own collection at home. You may be able to make out that he personally signed it in 1977.
It is also one that used to be on display in the Tav.
The actual content of the sketch is pretty much the same location as the photo, but from the other end.