Standing the test of time: Landmark’s pride of place in the Hilltown for the last 120 years

THE Hilltown Clock has stood proudly at the top of one of Dundee’s steepest streets for 120 years.

Erected in 1900, at the Strathmartine Road junction, it was a welcome stopoff point for generations of weary parents who told their kids – “awa an see the time oan the Hulltoon clock!”

The timepiece was gifted to the community by Sir Charles Barrie, a former Lord Provost who had represented the Coldside area on the council.

It became fondly known as Barrie’s Clock, although few people are aware of this today.

Over the years, the clock and its pedestal have undergone a few face-lifts, changing from its original purple to orange in 2017.

Designed by burgh engineer William Mackison, the Hilltown Clock was made by iron founders Beath and Keay and fitted by clockmaker GD Rattray of Nethergate.

In 1901, it was said to have been “much enhanced” with the addition of a couple of ornamental lamp brackets although these were later removed.

A report in The People’s Journal in 1955 said that the Dundee Corporation was responsible for eight clocks in the city.

They were: the Old Steeple, Hilltown Clock, Wallacetown Church Clock, St Andrew’s Church, Dudhope Church, Westport Clock, St Peter’s, Perth Road, and Lochee East Church.

“The Hilltown Clock must be wound twice a week, all the rest once a week,” it stated.

The best timekeeper in the city was said to be the Dudhope clock which “loses only half a minute a month”.

The oldest was the Old Steeple clock, installed in 1862.

The man responsible for keeping the clocks going was a William Robertson

Reid, who owned a watchmaker’s business in Lochee.

“Kilted and on his bicycle, he checks each clock every week,” the People’s Journal report stated. “He’s been town clockwinder since Mr Jack Herbert died in 1951.

“Mr Herbert had a magnificent beard... had the history of every clock off by heart. Mr Reid was one of his last apprentices.”

The Dundee Year Book of January 1901 describes the Hilltown Clock’s column as being of the “Ionic order” with sunk moulded panels on each side and a double base.

It said: “The height of the column above the footway is 18 feet and it supports a public clock, having two illuminated dials about four feet in diameter securely fixed together by a metal drum, resting on and secured to suitable brackets cast on top of the capital.

“Each dial is surmounted by the Dundee coat of arms.

“At night the dials are illuminated by gas jets, which are turned on and off by the works of the clock. On the panel of the base, facing Hilltown, there is a bronze shield bearing the following inscription: ‘Presented to the community of Dundee by Charles Barrie, one of the municipal representatives of the Seventh Ward – December 1900.’”

It’s perhaps no surprise that the clock has broken down a good few times in its history.

It was mechanically overhauled and fitted with a new electric motor in 1986, and after a few teething troubles, continued to serve the Hilltown community.

The clock underwent repairs and enjoyed a face-lift in September 1989.

It was again refurbished in 2006 as part of a renewal project of the Hilltown area.

A photo from the 1900s shows there was an underground gents toilet beside the clock. At some point this was filled in for there is no sign of it now.