VINTAGE LUNDIN LINKS AND LARGO
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McMillan's Hardware Shop

11/6/2017

4 Comments

 
Picture
Above is an image of 'Bellville' on Emsdorf Street - the origins of which have been covered here before. It was built in 1895 for William Bethune and his family. Some time soon after 1928, the shop was added in the side of the front garden closest to the other shops at the west end of Emsdorf Street. Isaac Cairns ran the shop as an ironmongers for a long spell between the 1930s and 1960s. Around the time that he died, the business was taken over by John McMillan.

McMillan's hardware shop continued through to the 1980s and many will recall the diverse range of products available and the obliging nature of its brown-overcoated owner. The image below features a faded sign stating 'garden seeds' and 'hardware'.  The extensive display in the double front window features tea towels, windbreaks and camping equipment. There are also many advertising signs - for keys, gas, batteries, paraffin, etc.  What you do remember buying here?

Along with many other shops in this street, McMillan's closed around the mid-late 1980s and the shop was demolished. If you know exactly when it closed - please comment.  
Picture
4 Comments
John Band
26/6/2017 02:45:22 pm

I remember Mr McMillans Ironmongers shop well.As a young lad I used to go there often to buy small tins of Humbrol Enamel paint for my models.During the winter months mum bought paraffin for her greenhouse heaters.The counter was on the right as you entered the shop which was packed with goods and you had to duck below stock hanging from the ceiling. I believe Mr McMillan was an army storeman and he kept meticulous paperwork.One day I had to go through to the back shop and found myself in my great great grandfather William Bethune's former front room complete with intricate plaster cornices and central ceiling rose, fabulous.

Reply
Elaine Burnett
16/7/2017 05:35:13 am

Anyone remember Marie Bethune's children's clothes shop & probably adult clothes too. Must be a relative of Williams ? Her shop was just along the road close to ironmongers. I remember being taken there each summer to buy 'fashionable' swim suit or t shirt top - whatever she had in stock. Clothes everywhere ! We holidayed every month of August for years in lower largo - family holidays. A whole month by the seaside bliss. Still do !

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John Band
23/7/2017 10:14:41 am

Marie (or Mary) Bethune was one of William Bethunes daughters and my great grandmother. Mary Bethune traded under the name Marie Bethune, her first Ladies and children's outfitters shop was at 110 Leith Walk, Edinburgh before opening a shop in Mitchell Street, Leven, followed by Emsdorph Street, Lundin Links.

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Marie (Bethune) Covert link
28/4/2020 04:03:01 pm

Before marriage, my name was Marie Bethune, so I am very interested to discover if the Marie who owned the dress shop might be a distant relative. My great great great grandfather was Alexander Beatten, a schoolmaster in Markinch in 1825. While there are many William Bethune’s in my family tree, I don’t see a daughter named Mary who would fit the dates. However, I would be interested to know more in the event that our families are related. Thanks so much!

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