AFTER soaring temperatures were experienced last week in Dunfermline, the photographs in this week’s trip down West Fife’s Memory Lane look back in time to see how people cooled off when the mercury rose over the years.

The favourite destination without doubt for most people was Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline and the extremely popular paddling pools that were situated close to Pittencrieff House.

Our first three photographs show them in use.

Eileen Carrick recalls how popular they were: “I spent many a summer's day in this paddling pool and the slightly deeper one next to it. Fantastic days. No lifeguards, just children enjoying a paddle, or a lie-down, on a warm day. Great memories.”

Chloe Johnston would like to see such an attraction make a comeback, noting that other places in Scotland have such features: “Bring it back! The Falkirk Wheel has a splash park area and so does the Kelpies and Burntisland. Dunfermline is missing out. We go to these places quite often and the kids love them.”

Ann Ank also recalls making use of the pools as well as the variety of other facilities on offer on a hot day: “Brings back lots of happy memories of a place where we met with cousins, family, gala days where whole families gathered together, had fun days out, enjoyed the greenhouses and gardens, played at the park … my three favourites being the big old chute ... straight down onto the tarmac in those days! ... and the make-believe road system where I enjoyed going around on the trikes and of course the paddling pools. 1976 was also the year I married so I do remember that summer. The Glen has always been my favourite childhood place as we stayed in William Street when I was a tot. In fact, my parents had to move from there due to a compulsory purchase order on the houses on the left side of William Street to allow for widening of the road. I am now 66 and the road has never been widened! Thanks for the memories.”

Katherine Stewart also remembers times spent down the Glen: “My goodness. I remember that SO well. Both as a child playing down there, and with the boys. Loved going down the Glen. I lived in Bernard Shaw Street so we walked down to the Glen. Mind you, in these olden days we all walked everywhere. Loved all the Glen as a child, the rabbits, Billy the cockatoo, the peacocks, ice cream at the back of the Pavillion, the wee museum etc. Then took my own children all over the Glen who loved it all. The Gala day was THE best. Very happy memories.”

Sandy Fenwick recalls just how warm it could get: “The slide was roasting hot. Friction burns and heat burns. Paddling pools were great on a hot day.”

The final photograph shows one of Dunfermline’s most popular ice cream merchants, Maloco’s, serving people in the Glen in 1951.

More images like these can be seen in Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries as well as at facebook.com/olddunfermline.

With thanks to Frank Connelly.