Place Name

Downfield, City of Dundee, Scotland

Whar the Wind Blaws, the Cake’s Braw, an Downfield aye gings its ain way!

Introduction:

Ach, Downfield. A place where the grass aye looks greener, the folk are sound as a pound, an the name itsel leaves ye wonderin if it wis christened efter a coo that couldnae be bothered liftin its heid.

But dinnae worry yersel. This isnae just a field wi a daft name. Downfield sits snug in the City of Dundee, an it has far mair goin for it than a title that sounds like a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Wi its history, its characters, an its charm, there’s plenty tae explore. So pull on yer wellies an let’s tramp through the glorious Dundee daftness that is Downfield.

Toponymy:

Let’s tak the name apart.

Down - Usually means ye’re headin lower, like down the road or down the hatch. In Downfield’s case, it might hint at a dip in the land, which is a bit of a laugh considerin the hills that lurk aboot. Maybe it’s a nod tae the locals who like tae tak life at a gentler pace, or maybe it’s just Dundee’s way of sayin if ye keep gaun down, ye’ll end up in the next scheme.

Field - Brings tae mind grass, daisies, an maybe a coo or twa havin a think. Downfield used tae be exactly that. Fields everywhere. While hooses have taken ower, the spirit o the field still lingers. It’s like a farmer’s market wi nae stalls, or a picnic wi nae midges.

Pit the twa thegither an ye get a place that sounds peaceful, pastoral, an perfect for ponderin life’s mysteries, like why coos never wear shoes.

Historical Context:

The name Downfield crops up in the 18th century, back when it wis likely just a field where coos wandered aboot contemplatin their purpose in life.

As Dundee grew, the area shifted frae rural calm tae suburban comfort. Folk moved here tae escape the bustle o the city, probably efter a long day milkin coos or avoidin sheep that had nae sense o personal space.

Local lore even speaks o a legendary coo named Bessie, famed for producin the finest milk in Scotland. Rumour says she once won a beauty contest, but the judges were sheep, so the results were questionable at best.

Points of Interest:

If ye’re in the area, dinnae miss:

• Downfield Golf Club - A bonnie course wi views that mak ye forget ye’re terrible at golf. Ye’ll be shoutin fore while wonderin what life choices brought ye here.

• Strathmartine Road - No just a road, but a wee journey through Dundee’s past. The hooses whisper stories, an if ye listen close, ye might hear Bessie mooing in the distance.

• The Dundee Law - Climb it for views that’ll mak ye feel like royalty. Bring a snack though. It’s a long way up for a Dundee breeze tae slap ye in the face.

• The McManus - Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum - A treasure trove o history, art, an the occasional oddity. Like steppin into a time capsule that disnae smell like yer granda’s attic.

• Local Pub: The Downfield Tavern - A proper Dundee boozer. Warm, friendly, an full o folk who’ll chat tae ye like they’ve kent ye for years. Just dinnae ask for a coo’s milkshake.

Notable Figures:

Folk linked tae Downfield or Dundee include:

• Sir James Black - Nobel Prize winner an pharmacology legend. Smarter than a coo, even Bessie.

• Mary Slessor - Dundee missionary an all round hero. Proved ye can change the world even if ye start in a place named efter a field.

• Desperate Dan - No real, but pure Dundee royalty. His appetite rivals the tales o Downfield itself.

• John Logie Baird - No a Dundonian, but close enough. Without him, Downfield wid still be starin at shadows on the wall.

• Andrew Carnegie - Born in Dunfermline, spent time in Dundee, built libraries everywhere. Proof ye can start in a field an end up buildin half the world.

Conclusion:

So next time ye find yersel in Downfield, mind it’s no just a place wi a daft name. It’s a slice o Dundee life, full o history, humour, an folk who’ll gie ye a smile whether ye want yin or no.

Whether ye’re sippin a pint in the Downfield Tavern or starin oot ower the city fae the Law, there’s somethin here for everybody.

An if ye fancy mair mad place names that’ll gie ye a right guid laugh, hae a keek at www.strangeplacenames.com. The UK an Ireland are hoachin wi names stranger than a coo in a beauty pageant.

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