Old school days

I visited my old primary school with some cousins today. Craigmillar Primary School was in the middle of Niddrie or Craigmillar as most people think of it. The housing scheme was built in the 1930s as, what is called nowadays as social housing. My cousin Bunty moved there with her mother and brothers and sisters in 1937, after her father had died.
I didn't actually live there but my family lived beside old Duddingston station in what was then Mitchell Street, in the middle of an area of breweries.

I attended Craigmillar primary school because it was near my granny and I would go there sometimes after school. Actually my favourite memory of my granny is when she would come to the school railings at playtime with a cake or biscuit for me, and in the winter she would bring a cup of tea to heat me up!

During the 80s and 90s the area became known for drugs and people moved out. The whole area has been demolished and new flats and houses are being built. Craigmillar Primary School was also due to be demolished but was saved when the mural on the dining room wall by John Maxwell was discovered and the building listed. Part of it is being used for small businesses and the other half as an artspace and theatre.

I meant to take a camera but forgot it so the iphone had to do. This is the middle section. There is so much going on in the painting catch the spitting cat and the dog.