This is a photograph of my grandfather, Henry Mungall Gordon, in his home 75 Argyle Crescent, Portobello. I never knew my grandfather as he died in six years before I was born. He was named after the Chairman of the Edinburgh Collieries Company.
I have not been able to find out why and when the name ‘Argyle’ came to Portobello. However I recently came across a story about three pillars that were once to be found in the gardens of Argyll House, Portobello and which were moved in 2006 to a new community garden.
Argyll House and garden was a stones-throw from my grandfather’s home.
I asked my father if he remembered the Argyll pillars but he did not, but it is recalled that our family’s first car was a 10 horse-power Argyll with registration TS 127.
It was Eleanor Coade, (1733-1821), who developed and sculpted this form of artificial stone. She did so at a time when industry was dominated by men and she ran her own business making beautiful architectural ornaments. The constancy of Coade stone has been considered a marvel.