What’s in a name? Twirlees

Twirlees Road (1908) and Twirlees Terrace (1915) are named after a turnstile that stood near the Braid Road, at the boundary where the steps are now.

Photo: Walter Ormiston

It was made from two cross sections of wood, fixed across a large post, which could be twirled or ‘twirleed’ to gain access to the Wellogate. This was erected to prevent lone horsemen and cattle from reaching allotments and private gardens near Loch Park. The turnstile was only removed in 1885, although the name remained.

When new housing was erected here in the early 20th century, the area south of the well-worn, long narrow paths was renamed to preserve a piece of local history.