Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition

 Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:


Q1. Mr Mackay (played by Fulton Mackay)


Q2. Kirkintilloch

внимание друзья! It is not totally clear whether they are asking for the name of the jailer or the name of the actor who played him in 'Porridge' but as the actor's surname is the same as the jailer's, entering Mr Mackay and (played by Fulton Mackay) may be sufficient information.


The initial clues seem to place us on the Dumbarton road, in the Dalmuir district of Glasgow, specifically on the bridge which carries it over the Forth and Clyde canal. The Eastender himself has cycled this waterway, all the way to Dumbarton castle, where climbed he up the rugged stairs, some 300ft to the top. The view to the west, of the windswept firth of Clyde dort auf dem schloss am meer, is spectacular, as is the view to the north of Ben Lomond. However, I digress, some references claim that work started on the canal c 1768 and that it also has 39 locks. The bridge at Dalmuir is navigable to boats, solely because there is said to be a drop lock there, which allows the passage of vessels. Some references claim that the F&C canal was closed c 1963 and then restored to navigable condition c 2000, using money from the national lottery fund. (the Eastender does wonder however, if the writer was actually there, why there is no mention of the model of HMS Ramilles ,a dreadnought (built by artist Tom McKendrick) which sits atop a 26ft high tower, a few metres east of the bridge? possibly it was too big a giveaway to include it)

Following the canal east, brings us to Clydebank and it was here, at Clydebank high school, that some sources claim that an actor who played the demented jailer, Mr MacKay in the sitcom TV series 'Porridge', one Fulton Mackay (born c 1922), was educated. Other alumni from this place of learning are said to be the entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne and Marti Pellow of the band, Wet, Wet, Wet.

The puzzle writer appears to be driving right into the heart of Commanche territory, as his route brings him into a district named after the daughter of the Laird of Gairbraid, one Hew Hill. His daughter was called Mary Hill and was allegedly married to a guy called Robert Graham. Graham is said to have established the settlement there and named it after Mary c 18th century. The aqueduct referred to in the clues, is most likely the Kelvin aqueduct, which carries the F&C canal over the river Kelvin at Maryhill. The area around there is known locally as 'The Butney', which some sources claim is derived from the word 'Botany', as in 'Botany Bay', because convict labour was used to construct the aqueduct. The Eastender remembers well the story of a hapless entrepreneur, who back in the early nineteen eighties, opened a sex shop on the Maryhill road. Legend has it, that the parish priest contracted the Butney Bhoys (a local mutual aid 'fraternity'), to repeatedly smash the windows, until the aforementioned shopkeeper closed up and left. (aqua = water but a duct which carries aqua, is spelled aqueduct ? )

Following the canal further east brings us to the ground of a football club called 'Partick Thistle Nil' , Fir Park and this is also close to the location (870 Garscube road) of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh (architect b 1868) church. Continuing east along the canal takes us to Kirkintilloch, which was the birthplace of Tom Johnston, who according to some references was appointed lord privy seal c 1931. There is also an aqueduct in the locale, called 'The Luggie Water' aqueduct. It appears to carry the canal over the river Luggie and at one time a railway also went under it.

From looking at the OS map, there appear to be two roman forts, a roman camp and an earth works structure there, called 'The Antonine Wall'. The Eastender at one time was of the opinion that pungi sticks were invented by Victor Charlie, during the late unpleasantness in south east asia but in fact, there are pits along the Antonine Wall, which are said to have contained pungi sticks, that were concealed by turf or brushwood, so that any non switched on raiders, would blunder into them in the dark.

Link to the competition

Where Was I?