Send your memories to us (with photos if possible) and we'll include them here !
Memories from Thomas Buchanan - Silversmith in Craft Village
"What was and what happened to Santa Claus Land?"


Winter Olympic Celebrations Aviemore 1998 & 2002

NOW - here's a story.......
 

21/10/10
Melbourne
Australia

Hello Julie & David
Please find enclosed the photo of Bobbi Jean as promised.
 
I am English but lived in Belfast in the 60s. When I finished school in 1967 I went to work in Torquay, Devon, mainly as a chambermaid but used to help out in a nightclub in the evenings. Whoever was performing at the Variety Theatre used to come up to the club & so that is how l met one of The Scots Boys. I think it must be Rab, I always thought it said Pal on the front of the photo but I think it’s Rab & on also the back. Anyway, it’s the guy on Bobbi’s right. So that was that & the photo ended up in my album of “friends”.
In 1968 just as I was leaving Belfast to move to Surrey I met my future husband. He was playing in an Irish show band. He is Irish but was brought up in London & had played in a rock band in the mid 60s, but came over to Ireland in 1967 to play in the show band. The rock band had been signed up by Decca but they disbanded, the drummer went on to play in The Echoes, Dusty Springfield’s band.
Last year my mother was suddenly taken into care & I had to sort through her things. I thought I should really sort my own things out, being a bit of a hoarder, so started going through my old albums & threw away photos of people I wasn’t in touch with, including, I thought, the enclosed photo.
Then last month, one of my husband’s friends who was in the rock band has written his memoirs & sent an email about “The California”, a dance hall near Dunstable.

It lists all the acts that appeared there & showed my husband’s group in 1964. For some reason I paged onto 1965, knowing Patsy would have checked it but there this name jumped out at me, Bobbi Jean & Those Scots Boys! Then of course I checked the WWW & found your site BUT then I panicked thinking I had thrown the photo out of Bobbi Jean & couldn’t believe I had kept it for 43 years only to find a few months later someone would have wanted it!!
Although I had torn up the album I hadn’t thrown the photo out, so you’re welcome to have it. You see, there was a reason to hoard it.
The other coincidence is that I found that other bit of info on Bobbi Jean & was telling my husband about it & when I read out that Bobbi’s Manager was George Elrick, he said George was their Manager too back in the 60s.
I wish you both well & thank you for being so patient.
Kind regards
Mary Rossney

Here is an excerpt I had from “The Stage” Jan 2006

A young “discovery” musical act of 1965 has just celebrated 40 years in showbusiness. The Bobbi Jean Trio enjoyed an anniversary night in a Kingussie hotel, with guests and goodwill messages from all over the world.
Bobbi Jean was the stage name chosen by 16-year-old Balham born Charlotte Ann Sturgeon when she became resident vocalist at the Pigalle in London, where dance music was dispensed by the Combo d’Ecosse, four Scots boys from Kingussie. Bobbi and two of the lads - Alastair Maclean, who played piano, organ and harmonica, and Alastair Meade, guitarist - have been the Bobbi Jean Trio for years.
There was an intermediate time between combo and trio when Bobbi Jean and the Scots Boys -  the third boy being drummer Rab Smillie -  were on the books of George
Elrick’s agency. It was then that they played seasons at Ayr Gaiety and Glasgow
Pavilion. They also played seasons in South Africa and in the Far East during the Vietnam War. Bobbi Jean and Alastair Maclean married in 1971. They moved back to Kingussie and, with a bassist, played for years at the old Aviemore Centre and the luxury Coylumbridge Hotel. Now they occupy a regular slot at the Hilton House Hotel in Dunkeld.

 
 

We were sent these 3 photos by "KLB Hotel" - The "It's A Knockout" team, the Aviemore Ladies Ice Hockey team
(more photos please - perhaps from the ladies themselves?), and the Mr Sir's maintenance man retirement photo?

Thank you, whoever you are.

 

 
 
Hi,
I have just read your article on Aviemore.  I worked in the 
Strathspey Hotel from about 1979 to 1982 and during my time there I 
made a cine film with the hotel staff working in the hotel and also 
having fun in the area.  Unfortunately I haven't had this transferred 
onto DVD yet and therefore I can not add it to your site,  but I will 
let you know if I ever get this done.  It is quite expensive and I 
can't afford it at the moment.  The film is based mainly around the 
Strathspey hotel, but does show the Aviemore centre where the 
fountains were.  I made a cassette with music to play along with the 
silent film and had the staff dancing around the fountain near the ice 
rink to "Doh a Deer" from the sound of music. 
Loved every minute of making this film.

It is still a big hobby of mine to play around with film - now 
camcorder and computer - gone are the old days of manually spicing film.

Aviemore was a real fun place to work in those days.
Liz Jeffrey
 
Hey David and Julie
 
Thanks for dropping me an email.  I managed to get in touch with Andy Blair and Robin Andrews from the "Guestbook".  It was great to hear from them.  I have a bunch of stuff from the old days of the ice hockey and the Cairdsports Ski School etc but they are at my home in Dundee but the next time I'm back in Scotland I will look out some of the stuff and send it to you or try and post it.
 
You are doing a fantastic job with this site and I'm sure a lot of people appreciate it and get a lot of great memories from it.
I will be in touch when I get back to Scotland near the end of the year.
 
Cheers
Brian Bruce
 
Hello

I first encountered Aviemore when on holiday with a school friend and her parents in the 60's. It was the time when people seemed to enjoy getting in the car and driving for ever and ever. We camped at many places and I can't remember if we actually camped in Aviemore. I clearly recall going to the ski centre in the centre of Aviemore. My recollection is of a large square-ish building with lots of panes of glass, very noisy with lots and lots of people in ski clothes. Isn't it strange when you can recall a time and place so clearly in your mind but cant describe it! I'm sure it was on the right hand side when driving through the centre.

Our son went to work at Glenmore Lodge and then in Aviemore itself so we have had a couple of visits within the last year. It's a beautiful place. The last winter was just fabulous for anyone wanting to ski, there was so much snow. Whilst there, we walked to the top of Craigellachie, and this is what made me want to make contact. We drove on the A9 just on the outskirts of the town and could see the path we needed to start up the hill, but could we find the way in- could we heck! It took a couple of loops round the A9 and the old road before discovering the track then we walked it back to the road and, for information, it is a track off the road signposted to the Catholic Church and something else - but not Craigellachie. Not very clear at all. As you rightly say we walked through a tunnel under the road and to the top of the hill where we could see for miles and miles and miles. From there I could see the position where I knew I was right, where the old ski centre had been and now it houses some sort of holiday houses. From aloft it is clear to see the old site. I was fascinated that I could see so clearly what was there about 45 years ago.

It is such a lovely town with lovely people, many of them with one interest in life- the hills and how to get up and down them. I sincerely hope that it doesn't grow too big and spoil what is a special place. I certainly hope to visit again soon.
Janet Chapman
 
Hello
I was looking at something else and found link to you. Had no idea that it was no more! Should have realised that things never stay the same.
Been racking my brain and looking through your site. Things I remember. Firstly we were only there for a day trip so hope this counts! It was summer (August I think) possibly either 1978 or 1979. Myself (the blond) and my flatmate were visiting and staying with the Excise officer at Thamdu distillery (see attached).  We decided to visit Aviemore for the day. It was hot I recall and the most memorable thing was "Santa" on one of those bikes chasing us around, or so it seemed, and he was dressed like Santa but with red shorts on. Well that has always stayed in my brain, Santa in shorts!
Unfortunately I remember so little now. The "North Pole" was solid ice even in the hot sun, and the bikes were hard work!
I suppose it was all a bit surreal in August.  Are these any good to you? They were scanned a few years ago and put on disk so the quality is not too good. They have to be in about mid to late 1970s.
Regards,
 
Kath Johnson

 
 
Hi,

Love your website, which I came across by accident.
 
My name is James Milligan and I was Manager of the " Das Stubel " restaurant.
 
Attached is a photograph of the opening of the A9 Motorway,  which runs past Aviemre centre ,by  Tony Blackburn
and the das stubel staff.
 
If anybody has any details about any of the staff involved , I would be most obliged.
 
 
James
 

 
 

Julie & David
 

Thank you for this wonderful site. 
I was dreaming about Santa Claus Land and thought I would "Google" it to see if could re-kindle my memories. My visits were the late 70's early 80's and it was truly magical.  I can remember the smell inside Santa Claus Land "sort of burning pine smell".  I loved the ghost train and the wee buggies in the centre.  I was  saddened when I visited it about a year ago and I couldn't place where everything had been.  I think I noticed a bit of Santa's home left but I am not sure.  The ground where it had been seemed a lot smaller than I remember. 
 
I am now 37 and wish my own children could have experienced the magic that Santa Claus Land offered all those years ago..
 
 
Thanks a million
 
Audrey Campbell

 
 
Hi

What  a great web site.  Don’t know if this is the sort of thing you are after but still makes me smile to this day. 
This is a 21st birthday surprise dinner we laid on for our mate Terry - 25 years ago !!!. 
In the picture is Front left  Mark my roommate at the time next to him is myself, front right is my
brother Ali and next him is Terry.  Ginger (the chip shop owner)is in the second picture. 
All of us are from Aviemore except Mark who is now back in his native New Zealand. 
Mark and I worked in Coylumbridge hotel at the time.

Will see if I can dig out some more photos.

Regards
Gordon 
 
Dear Julie

I have just read your webpage and had to email to tell you that I found your memories of Aviemore fascinating.  I'm sorry to say that I dont have anything to send on to you as I only became an Aviemore convert about 3 years ago but I just wanted you to know I thoroughly enjoyed reading your page.

When I told people where I was going they said it was rundown and tatty, I dont see that, I see a lovely village on the edge of the Cairngorms and feel at home as soon as I arrive - only 2 more weeks and I will be there again for a week!  This time we are staying in the village, previously we have stayed in Newtonmore but spent so much time in Aviemore we decided to stay there this time and save the petrol!

Like you I have fantastic memories of family holidays.  We went every year to France, all 3 children squashed in the back of a tiny car, we still go back to the same village with my parents and my daughter loves it as much as we do, we certainly go full circle, holidays with parents, leave home and holiday with friends, then return to holidaying with the parents!

Regards

Julie Hickey
 
Hello David and Julie,
 
Enjoying the website and all the memories and thoughts on Aviemore. Your efforts are much appreciated!
 
Perhaps I could chip in with a few recollections and experiences -
 
I worked at The Coylumbridge Hotel for a summer season in 1984. My colleague and I stayed 13 weeks and we were working in the various bars and restaurants, and at functions too. The split shifts were a killer though - you were up early to do the breakfasts and back again for evening meals etc.... - it meant the afternoon was yours but you always had it at the back of your mind that you had to go back to work later on! However the weather that summer was great - remember walking and cycling and enjoying the lovely countryside.
 
My colleague and I stayed initially at a Bed and Breakfast at the top end of the town ( on the left hand side ) - can't remember the name, but it was an elderly lady who looked after us and she was super. After a few weeks though we moved down to what must have been a hotel at one time ( the Alt Na Craig?? ) nearer the centre of the town, and this was totally for the workers at Coylumbridge.
 
The breakfasts as said were tough going - I recall getting up at 5.30am and you had to catch the Land Rover that picked folk up at the station - many a time I would miss it ( after running like the clappers! ) and would be forced to walk ( very quickly! ) the couple of miles out to the hotel. The result was you were done in before your shift started! At other times if you missed the Land Rover for the shifts then you had the luxury of going in the town taxi - there may have been more than 1 at the time, but I remember the yellow Volvo ( that made a whistling noise! ) parked up at the station waiting for hires.
 
Free time consisted of going up to the centre to enjoy the Space Invaders etc.. at the Amusement Arcade, looking ( but not buying!! ) at the comics ( yes - I was still a wee lad at heart! ) and magazines in RS McColl, and John Menzies at the station. Was only ever in the cinema once with a friend - to see The Lords Of Discipline - but that was earlier in that year I believe. Can't remember the disco in the centre, but DO remember going up to the DJ and asking for Soft Cell's " Tainted Love " - only to be told that it was the next track he was playing!
 
Other late night entertainment consisted of the chippie near the station after a stint in Mister Sirs - this was the nightclub/ disco along from the station. I don't know why we continued to go there as it was near empty most of the time! - some folks might remember for ages it never had a window at the front - it was a large wooden glaziers board and the rumour was that the owners couldn't afford to fit a window! Surely not?!!
 
The Red Mac and The Winking Owl were also frequented, and during the day you got a good deal at The Skiing Do - the cafe just across the road from the Red Mac - 2 rolls and bacon with a mug of tea for just 99p! Those were the days!      
 
As for The Coylumbridge - I can remember so many faces, but names - sadly forgotten. Big Sue from Sheffield  - I remember her though - lots of other characters including the guy from New Zealand who had been working there for several years, and stayed in a chalet in the hotel grounds.
 
I remember leaving the town at the end of the summer on a Citylink bus to Glasgow from the station - at the time I wasn't really too bothered as I had mixed feelings about the job. Looking back now though I guess it was all part of life's experience, and although sketchy in places ( ! ) - memorable for several reasons.
 
I have been back to the town several times since then - mainly as a stop on the way to Inverness or further north. My stop has never included The Coylumbridge though!
 
Maybe in time I will remember more - somehow though after 26 years I am not so sure though!
 
Perhaps some readers have a better memory than me of some of the things I have described.
 
But Auld Aviemore - we do remember you!
 
Regards,
 
Iain Preston

 
 
Dear David & Julie
I have enclosed some photos I took when I worked in the Post House around 1983/84.  I afraid I can't remember a lot of the names but I do remember the faces !

I hope they are of use to you.
Kind Regards
Dave Warner (now in Shetland)

"Apologies for the picture quality"

  
 

(David and Julie say: "Thanks ever so much Dave, just what we need. Anyone else have old staff photos? Look at those glasses and hairdo's!")