Lochee () is an area in the west of

Dundee Dundee (; sco, Dundee; gd, Dùn Dè or ) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom. The mid-year population estimate for 2016 was , giving Dundee a population density of 2,478/km2 or ...

, 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.

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 Linen () is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is very strong, absorbent, and dries faster than cotton. Because of these properties, linen is comfortable to wear in hot weather and is valued for use in garments. It also ...

, the Cox family eventually set up as linen merchants in 1700. By 1760 the firm had 300 weavers and after using

steam power A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. The steam engine uses the force produced by steam pressure to push a piston back and forth inside a cylinder. This pushing force can be trans ...

and moving into the

jute Jute is a long, soft, shiny bast fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from flowering plants in the genus ''Corchorus'', which is in the mallow family Malvaceae. The primary source of the fiber is ''Corchorus olit ...

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 A bell tower is a tower that contains one or more bells, or that is designed to hold bells even if it has none. Such a tower commonly serves as part of a Christian church, and will contain church bells, but there are also many secular bell tower ...

-style factory chimney designed by local architect James MacLaren, survives. Lochee became a

company town A company town is a place where practically all stores and housing are owned by the one company that is also the main employer. Company towns are often planned with a suite of amenities such as stores, houses of worship, schools, markets and re ...

with 2 railway stations, police force, fire service, schools, swimming pool, casino, library, washhouse and several churches. In 1890, the Cox Brothers donated a 25 acre public park to Lochee. 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 :People from Lochee * George Barnes, politician * Henry Bradley, cattle driver (Canada), Boxer and wine importer *

W. Lindsay Cable William Lindsay Cable (31 March 1900 – 12 April 1949) was a Scottish artist and book illustrator. He illustrated Enid Blyton's books in 1940 and 1942, and worked for the Ministry of Information. He also worked for a number of years for ''Punch'' ...

, book Illustrator for Punch and Enid Blyton was born in Lochee * William Cooper, ship captain, politician (Prince Edward Island) * James Crabb, classical musician * John Duncan, footballer * William Eassie, railway contractor and manufacturer of prefabricated wooden buildings * Robert Fleming, banker *

George Galloway George Galloway (born 16 August 1954) is a British politician, broadcaster, and writer who is currently leader of the Workers Party of Britain, serving since 2019. Between 1987 and 2010, and then between 2012 and 2015, Galloway was a Member o ...

, politician * Frank Gilfeather, journalist, broadcaster and author *

Sir Alexander Gray Sir Alexander Gray (6 January 1882 – 17 February 1968) was a Scottish civil servant, economist, academic, translator, writer and poet. Life and work He was born at 1 Marshall Street in Lochee near Dundee the son of John Young Gray, an art tea ...

, poet * James 'Napper' Thomson, Businessman * Michael Marra, musician *

Francis Boag Francis may refer to: People *Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State and Bishop of Rome *Francis (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters *Francis (surname) Places *Rural Mu ...

, artist * Alfie Williamson, musician

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

{{Areas of Dundee Areas of Dundee Irish diaspora in Scotland