The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Spirit of old shop will live on
Fond memories of one of Dundee’s longest established clothes shops are being preserved in the identity of prominent offices recently created in Broughty Ferry.
The former main Millars premises on Gray Street is nowadays known as Millars House in tribute to the much-loved clothing emporium, which closed in 2020.
Millars’ history dates all the way back to 1842, and it was Jim Millar who opened the landmark Ferry store in the early 1960s.
His daughter, Jill Foote, tells Craigie that seeing “Millars House” emblazoned on a large nameplate prominently displayed above the building’s entrance – along with the familiar colourful Millars logo – is an emotional experience.
She writes: “My father, who died in 1985, would never have imagined that his family name would live on, despite having retired from the business due to ill health in the ’70s. He would have been very proud.
“My father was the fourth generation of James Millars. The early shops were in the old Overgate and the old Wellgate, places now only remembered by those of a certain vintage – I remember them both from my young days, as I was born in 1946.
“The death certificate of the first James Millar puts his occupation down as silk hatter! My grandfather held the reins of the business until his death in 1949 at which point my father took over, full of ideas and ambition, as younger men are.
“He took the step of moving the Overgate shop to the city centre – an ideal busy spot at 9 Nethergate, with the old police box outside and regular long bus queues allowing window gazing, with a prime position on tram routes along the High Street and a view down Whitehall Street. Nowadays, Primark is on the site.
“This shop was part of my young days. I worked Saturdays and Christmases there while still a pupil at Harris Academy. Staff were loyal and the atmosphere was good.
“There was a tailor on the premises. Upstairs was the ready-made and madeto-measure department for suits, trousers, jackets, coats. A roaring trade was done in such items as Rael Brook shirts, manufactured with a new wonder material
– drip dry. Hang the shirt up with no ironing needed!
“The shop was busy, successful and popular. My father employed a good few students in the Christmas holidays. I made new friends, and was impressed at how much ahead of his times my father was, as he gave employment to an Indian and a Nigerian student behind the counter, in the days when this was most unusual.
“My father opened shops in Blairgowrie, where there was also a kilt-maker, and in Broughty Ferry where he started ladies wear. At first this specialised in tartans, tweeds, woollens of high quality and well-known names from the Borders, such as Pringle.
“This was a new venture for the previous
menswear-only business. But sadly the 9 Nethergate shop was on borrowed time due to the enormous upheaval in the city centre, which demolished the old Overgate, the part of Nethergate where it stood and General Monck’s house, etc.
“That is a well-known Dundee story. The menswear business moved out to the end of Tay Street and continued quite successfully there, on the site that’s now student travel premises on the corner of the Nethergate.
“Sadly my father, the last James Millar, had a serious car crash in 1969, before the days of seat belts which would have made a huge difference. Although he survived, he was much weakened until his death in 1985.
“The business was sold, and from then the
Ferry shop prospered under various owners. I am glad to remind older Dundonians of the history of this well-known business.”
Sawmill story pure dynamite
Nancy Gallacher recalls often volatile times at Mcgregor and Balfour sawmill in the ’60s.
She says: “The foreman was in charge of the explosive charge when blasting was required. The dynamite was placed at a safe distance, a warning was sounded, and us neighbours were told we might hear a bang.
“I’ve always been led to believe it often ended with a small trail of powder leading to the operator, who ended up with singed eyebrows. So much for health and safety!”