A decade-long search to discover the birthplace of one of Broughty Ferry’s most remarkable sons came to fruition this week.
Jennifer Bryce, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, finally found out that her grandfather, Colin Gilray, began his life in Castle Terrace.
He left Scotland at the age of five when his parents settled in New Zealand in 1890 and Colin went on to play rugby for Otago and the All Blacks.
He returned to the UK to study at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, captained the London Scottish and played four times for Scotland (including twice successfully against England) thus becoming, it is believed, the first person to ever play rugby for two countries.
A captain in the army, he was awarded the Military Cross for bravery and also became an OBE.
Jennifer, who celebrates her 70th birthday later this year, has always been determined to return to his birthplace and, after a failed attempt in 2003, she returned here this month to view a plaque that was erected in honour of her grandfather two years ago.
Jennifer said: “I was his oldest grandchild and I remember him well as I was in my twenties when he died in 1974.
“I came over before the plaque was put up in 2003 so it was wonderful to finally be able to find the house and see the plaque. It’s a lovely spot.”
Jennifer eventually tracked down the house when she was put in touch with Dundee man David McGovern, who was instrumental in having the plaque erected a couple of years ago.
David said: “I was interested in Scots who played for the All Blacks and found Colin Gilray, who was from Broughty Ferry. I thought: ‘How can that be true?’ so I decided to find out more about him.
“I am a stone carver so I carved the plaque and put it up on the place where he was born. I thought it was the least he deserved.
“Jennifer came over, she is the first member of the family to do that and she brought a copy of his biography, which I have presented to the Broughty Ferry Library.”
Jennifer added: “He was a pretty remarkable guy, he achieved lots. He was a very unassuming person but clearly a very diverse and talented man.
“He trained to be a lawyer and a teacher and then went into education for the rest of his life, becoming headmaster at McGlashen College in Dunedin before becoming headmaster of Scotch College, Melbourne, and vice-chancellor of Melbourne University.
“Although he came across as a rather serious person, he was terrific fun as a grandfather, so I was delighted when we found out where he was born.”
Councillor Kevin Cordell was also present at the visit to welcome Jennifer and her friends to the Ferry.