Lots of pottery bits and pieces found locally. Alex B Smith was a grocer and spirit dealer for a few years around 1900 in the shop on West Road that is now a house - now 10 West Road. Until about 1980 it was always a shop.
Two stained glass panes from the staircase window in Netherlea House, demolished in 2019.
A postcard view looking south of the girders about to be hoisted into place on the replacement bridge. The stumps of the old bridge pillars clearly visible. They were left as protection for the new column bases.
The old Newport School clock, salvaged from the demolition site after Newport School closed in 1977.
Three newspaper extracts describing the events of 2nd July 1896, when the recently formed Newport Bathing Association was inaugurated. The Braes were of course packed with people, the bathing pavilion and the surrounding area were decorated with flags, and the Mars band played all afternoon and into the evening. Spectators enjoyed swimming displays and an ...
Newspaper cutting from 30 July 1892 describing a boating accident just off the braes. The two occupants of a small sailing boat were rescued from the water after their boat capsized. The rescuer was John Barlow (22), founder of Betsworth and Barlow plumbers.
These newspaper cuttings give details of the sale in May 1882 of the contents of the Royal Hotel in the Royal Buildings on Tay Street. Clearly the hotel wasn't being sold as a going concern, as every single item in the 28 rooms was being offered for sale. Mr Keay, the manager of the hotel, ...
A brightly coloured balancing parrot toy made by the boys on the Mars training ship.
Two photographs of the Newport Artillery Volunteers at Inverdovat, pre World War I. The Volunteers were formed in 1860.
A rather unusual event is described in this newspaper cutting from December 1899. It appears that an entertainment was organised annually for local (young!) shop assistants. Although no venue is named, the mention of upstairs and downstairs would suggest the Blyth Hall. In Victorian times, a 'conversazione', as mentioned here, would be a discussion usually ...
A very early photograph of one of the Fifies, probably the Dundee, which operated on the crossing from 1875 until 1917.
Newport pierhead area, probably around 1870. One of our oldest photographs. The distinctive arched pier buildings have not yet been built (1878) and the Newport Hotel has not yet been extended to side and rear (1890s). The gasworks chimney is in the centre of the picture and Jonas Kidd's grocer shop on the right is ...
Postcard of the High St, Newport showing the gasworks chimney.
A magazine article from 1974 noting the history of the joinery business based at Woodhaven. It was started by William Buist in 1875, continued by his grandson William Rankine after World War I, and taken over by next generation Sandy Rankine in the 1960s.
Letter to Willie Rankine from Garnet Wilson about their memories of the icy weather in the winter of 1894-1895.Willie Rankine had grown up at Woodhaven and Garnet Wilson in Newport. His father G L Wilson was the founder and owner of G L Wilson's department store in Dundee. Garnet Wilson served on Newport Town Council ...
Newspaper report from the Fifeshire Journal (transcribed) about a fatal coaching accident in Newport on 3 March 1836, leading to the death of Alexander Kidd, a wright.
An interesting article about the Buist family of Woodhaven. The article was written in 1905. William Buist established his joinery business at Woodhaven in 1875.
A newspaper letter about James Tait who was missionary to the boys on the Mars training ship for 48 years. It was written to the Newspaper by Willie Rankine of Woodhaven.
The Mars training ship and its brig the Francis Molison. The Francis Molison was donated in 1881 and much of the boys' practical nautical training took place on board. Each year it made a trip around the coast of Britain, and the change of routine that this voyage provided was much enjoyed by the boys.
Newspaper article giving details of the duties and problems encountered by the local 'bobby' at Wormit at the very start of the 20th century. The article is written by Willie Rankine of Woodhaven.
A poster advertising a coach service that passed through Newport on its way from Dundee to Edinburgh, and operated from 1842-1848.
Advertisement from 1810 for the Royal Fifeshire Union Coach service between Woodhaven and Pettycur on the Forth. This was being run by Mr Nicol, vintner of Woodhaven. Coaches had no time for unscheduled stops to pass on news so during the Napoleonic Wars coaches were decorated with greenery to signify a victory over the French.
During 2019-2020 this ground at the rear of the Newport Hotel was being cleared for possible future house building. The photographs show what appears to be extensive cellar space. These cellars would have provided storage space below the old stabling for the inn.
An action view of the Mars boys aboard small boats at Woodhaven pier, with Rock House in the background. This old granary building was used as a hospital for the Mars boys.