A Cutting from the Galloway News, supplied by Mr Jim Glendinning:

Unfortunately this one had no date, but it refers to the same Peter McKie

remembered by Mrs Coltart.

A DALRY WORTHY – The funeral took place on Thursday of Peter McKie, the last of the old school of Dalry Worthies. Peter was general messenger, bill-poster, bellman, lamplighter, and when a death occurred in the community, he almost invariably went round from door to door and with great solemnity informed the good folk that their presence was requested at the funeral. A very good story was told of him in this respect. One day, when he was discharging this solemn duty, a tramp happened to be singing in the street. After watching Peter moving from door to door for a few minutes, he sprang forward, accosting him thus: “Ay ma man, d’ye think I’m gaun to sing here an let you collect the ha’pennies?” Peter lived in Dalry all his days, and it is said, he never travelled further than Castle Douglas. He always took a prominent part in local events and gala days, and his proud boast was that “Mr Wallet” always made him ‘judge o’ the roup’ when any sales occurred in the neighbourhood. Although his path in life was of a humble order, Peter was the object of regard of the whole community and his funeral was largely attended.

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Adam Wood from Dalry took over the lighting and filling the paraffin lamps from Peter McKie. The original paraffin lamp of the village was at the Lochinvar corner. This was moved when the new lighting was installed and is now at the gate of Courthill in Kirkland Street.


Dalry got street lights before anyone else. They were fitted by Wull Johnstone, who had the garage. There was a switch on each pole that could be put on or off using a long pole with a hoop on the end. Wull’s son, Wullie, was given the job of switching these on every night just before dark, and then switching them off again, just before 10pm. The villagers know that if there had been a good dance in the area, Wullie did not bother with the lights that night, but could be seen going round putting them all out in the morning.