Baker Street
1902
In 1902 these three early houses were soon to be demolished. The site is now occupied by the red sandstone block which houses Italia Nostra restaurant, the Hot ’n’ Spicy take-away and flats above.
The one on the right was, at the time of the photograph, quite clearly marked as Refreshment Rooms. At the beginning of the nineteenth century it was the same and specialised in pies and porter. It was run by a Mrs Jaffray whose husband was the town’s letter carrier or postman. The post office at this time was at 60 Baker Street and was run by William Paterson, a ropespinner and flax dresser. Jaffray later became the post carrier to Kippen and his place was taken by David Bell who used to carry the letters in a tin-box suspended from his neck by a piece of cord. It is reputed that the mail from London to Stirling could be held in one hand.
The building next door is still in existance as Nicky Tam’s public house — for a long while known as the Caledonian Vaults.