Dundee Street Names

Article Copyright DC THomson - Stuart Ross 2013

The history behind Dundee street names

Ever heard of Beef Can Close?

As a Dundonian you probably have in fact, one of the most popular “old Dundee” YouTube clips features flickering film footage from Edwardian times as the Beef Can Close folk song is played.

But over and above the debate where exactly Beef Can Close was the best estimate is that it ran from Victoria Road to King Street can anyone explain the name?

Dundee is full of curious street names special lecture aims to explain some of the most curious and archaic.

Gillian Molloy, a volunteer with the Friends of Dundee City Archives, has spent more than six years delving into the city’s rich history in a quest to explain why various streets, thoroughfares and lanes found their names.

“My research has included looking over documents from the 14th century to the present day,” explained Gillian.

“In my talk I will examine some of the oldest street names in Dundee and some of the newer ones. I hope to show what a fascinating subject it is.

“I will also look at the personalities behind some of the street names, some of whom deserve to be better known.”

For example, Hawkhill today conjures immediate visions of student accommodation, industrial units or the Westport pubs. In fact, Hawkhill was the country area outside the city walls where people would hunt with hawks.

Westport, meanwhile, was a street leading to the western gate into the city and was where the keys to Dundee were handed to Mary Queen of Scots when she visited in 1561.

And what about Peep o’ Day Lane? People often think it is associated with the 19th century Irish rebel group the Peep o’ Day Boys but it’s actually named after a long-gone mansion in that area that was perfectly angled to catch a fine view of the dawn sunrise.

Then there’s Couttie’s Wynd, the narrow lane linking Nethergate and Whitehall Crescent. William Couttie was a butcher and when he bought property in the wynd it was renamed from Splading’s Wynd to Couttie’s in his honour.

Gillian’s lecture, entitled “Why? Where? Who? The Origin of Some Dundee Street Names” is one of the Armitstead Illustrated Lectures that have been running each autumn for 126 years.