My Life in Carnoustie: A Lang Time Ago

From childhood games on the sands of Carnoustie to witnessing the sweeping changes that have shaped Tayside, Robert Murray takes readers on a heartfelt journey through a life well lived in one of Scotland's most beloved coastal towns. In this warm and engaging memoir, the author reflects on his early years growing up in Carnoustie, the characters who shaped his world, and the traditions that defined a community. Bringing the town to life, he recalls its evolution from bustling local businesses and close-knit neighbourhoods to the modern developments of today, offering a unique perspective on the passage of time. Along the way, he shares memories of local events, changing industries, and the wider transformations that have touched Angus. A celebration of place, people, and the resilience of the Scottish spirit, "My Life in Carnoustie: A Lang Time Ago" is a nostalgic and insightful account of one man's life, deeply intertwined with the town he calls home. Whether you have roots in Carnoustie or simply love stories of Scotland's past and present, you will find this book to be a captivating read.

About the Author :
Robert Taylor Murray was born in Barry, near Carnoustie, in 1940. Growing up in Westhaven and later residing in Carnoustie itself, he attended Barry and Carnoustie Schools before becoming an apprentice grocer with William Low & Company Ltd. He qualified as a Member of The Grocers' Institute, and was appointed manager of William Low's Brantwood branch in Dundee, becoming the company's youngest ever manager at the age of 19. He later oversaw the Logie Street branch in Lochee.Robert went on to manage a larger third branch in Dundee and then, after attending further education management courses, discovered he was sufficiently qualified to successfully apply for a post as a lecturer in distributive trades subjects at Dundee Commercial College - a position he held for five years. Realising how much the retail trade was changing and feeling he was less in touch to reflect the current scene, he applied to join The Grocers' Institute and was appointed Training Development Officer for part of London and east England, where he advised companies and colleges on training in the retail grocery trade.After two years he returned to the Dundee area when he was appointed Training Officer for Watson & Philip, a national wholesale food distributor. He remained with that company for thirty-three years, during which time he was appointed Personnel Manager and eventually became Group Personnel Manager with responsibility for three thousand employees and, latterly, in the London area.Robbie's recollections of his early days in the grocery trade, "The Grocer's Boy", was published by Extremis Publishing in 2018. The story continued in "The Grocer's Boy Rides Again", published in 2020, which followed Robbie's professional development throughout the busy days and radical changes of the Swinging Sixties, and concluded with "The Grocer's Boy Gets Down to Business" in 2022, which charted his career from the seventies until the turn of the century.Following a company acquisition he became redundant at the age of sixty-two. In retirement he has again been actively involved in amateur theatre. He frequently writes short stories and poetry. He has authored a stage presentation on the life of Robert Burns, "The Spirit of Robbie Burns", which has been performed several times by amateurs in Tayside. The script was published as a book by Extremis Publishing in 2019.Robbie was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2020. He has two daughters and four grandchildren. When he is not writing, he enjoys travelling, hillwalking and golfing.