Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Lochee

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Population
  
5,218

Country
  
Scotland

Post town
  
DUNDEE

Dialling code
  
01382

Lieutenancy area
  
Dundee

UK parliament constituency
  
Dundee West

OS grid reference
  
NO378317

Sovereign state
  
United Kingdom

Postcode district
  
DD2

Council area
  
Dundee

Scottish parliament
  
Dundee City West

Lochee httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Ww2 air raid shelter camperdown works lochee dundee


Lochee is an area in the west of Dundee, Scotland. Until the 19th century, it was a separate town, but was eventually surrounded by the expanding Dundee. It is notable for being home to Camperdown Works, which was the largest jute production site in the world.

Contents

Map of Lochee, Dundee, UK

History

'Lochee' originally referred to the area in which weavers' cottages were situated at the burn which flowed through Balgay Lochee; thus, they were at the eye of the loch or Loch E'e, which eventually became Lochee. It is believed this site is close to where Myrekirk stands today. Indeed, John Ainslie's map of 1794 makes reference to 'Locheye' on the north and south banks of the burn. However, G. Taylor and A. Skinner's 'Survey and maps of the roads of North Britain or Scotland' in 1776 makes reference to 'Lochee'.

When the loch was drained by the Duncans in the 15th century they offered crofting tenancies along the burn. One of the tenancies went to a Dutchman, James Cox and his family. After a change of name and with a reputation for quality linen, the Cox family eventually set up as linen merchants in 1700.

By 1760 the firm had 300 weavers and after using steam power and moving into the jute industry the family built Camperdown Works in 1864, said to be the largest factory in the world, with over 5,000 employees. Cox’s Stack, the 86 m (282 ft) high campanile-style factory chimney designed by local architect James MacLaren, survives. Lochee became a company town with 2 railway stations, police force, fire service, schools, swimming pool, casino, library, washhouse and several churches.

Lochee is well known for being the home of Dundee's biggest ever gang, 'The Lochee Fleet' who were notorious in Dundee's gang culture throughout the 70's and 90's.

Immigration

Many immigrants were attracted to the area by the prospect of employment in the city's jute mills. By 1855, there were 14,000 Irish immigrants in Dundee, most of whom stayed in Lochee, or 'Little Tipperary' as it would come to be known. In 1904, the Lochee Harp football club was formed by Lochee Irishmen as a means of recreation for the poor immigrants; the club still plays to this day.

Lochee is still regarded as Dundee's Irish 'quarter'.

Notable Lochee residents

See also Category:People from Lochee

  • George Barnes, politician
  • William Cooper, ship captain, politician (Prince Edward Island)
  • Henry Bradley, cattle driver (Canada), Boxer and wine importer
  • James Crabb, classical musician
  • John Duncan (footballer), footballer
  • Robert Fleming, banker
  • George Galloway, politician
  • Frank Gilfeather, journalist, broadcaster and author
  • Sir Alexander Gray, poet
  • Michael Marra, musician
  • The View, indie rock band. (The band are not from Lochee itself but a place nearby called Dryburgh.)
  • Demographics

    Lochee | Scotland

  • Total Population (2011) 5218 | 5,254,800
  • % children (2011) 17.63% | 17.38%
  • % working age (2011) 58.49 | 62.79%
  • % pensionable age (2011) 23.88% | 19.83%
  • % income deprived (2005, Barl 2012) 27% | 14%
  • % 16-24 year olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (2012 Q4) 16.2% | 5.70%
  • % 25-49 year olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (2012 Q4) 13.7% | 4.20%
  • % 50-64 year olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (2012 Q4) 4.6% | 2.10%
  • % working age who are employment deprived (2008) 25% | 12%
  • % 16-24 year olds claiming Key Benefits (2012 Q4) 29.2% | 12.70%
  • % 25-49 year olds claiming Key Benefits (2012 Q4) 37.6% | 15.40%
  • % 50-64 year olds claiming Key Benefits (2012 Q4) 32.1% | 19%
  • Est. % prescribed drugs for anxiety, depression or psychosis (2004) 12% | 8%
  • Number of SIMD crimes per 10000 (2007/08) 697
  • % people within 0-500 metres of any Derelict site (2012) 91.6% | 30.90%
  • References

    Lochee Wikipedia