John Lennon’s Enduring Connection to Edinburgh

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John Lennon’s Enduring Connection to Edinburgh: A Plaque of Memories in Murrayfield

John Lennon, the iconic figure of The Beatles, may be closely associated with Liverpool and the global music scene but there’s a lesser-known deeply personal connection that ties him to the enchanting city of Edinburgh. 

Over the years much has been written about Lennon’s links to the Scottish capital and now a heartwarming plan is underway to honor his legacy by erecting a plaque on a residential street in Murrayfield where he spent many memorable summers as a youngster.

Childhood Visits to Ormidale Terrace

During his formative years Lennon made frequent trips to Edinburgh to stay with his aunt and cousin in their terraced house on Ormidale Terrace. 

This terraced house standing still today served as a sanctuary for the young Liverpudlian. It was here that he often performed for his family on his aunt’s piano laying the groundwork for his future musical genius.

The proposed plaque on Ormidale Terrace will bear the following inscription: “John Lennon visited Ormidale Terrace regularly until the age of 17 in 1957 to visit his aunt and cousin; he often performed for the family on his aunt’s piano. 

The cupboard under the stairs was where he penned Beatles song ‘Rain’ the 1966 B-side to ‘Paperback Writer.’ 

His long summers here ranked among his happiest childhood memories describing Edinburgh as one of his favorite cities enjoying the Festival the Tattoo and the rugby at Murrayfield. He even brought Yoko Ono here in 1969.”

John Lennon’s Enduring Connection to Edinburgh

Even as Beatlemania swept the world and Lennon reached the pinnacle of fame he continued to visit Edinburgh. 

After a legendary Beatles show at Edinburgh’s ABC cinema in 1964 he spent time at his cousin Stan Parke’s house. Stan, a few years older than John, was more like a big brother than a cousin. The Parke family had moved from Liverpool to Edinburgh in 1949 when John’s Aunt Mater married a local dentist, Burt Sutherland. 

The family’s residence at 15 Ormidale Terrace served as a cherished destination for Lennon, a place where his musical talents blossomed.

Stan Parkes in recollection shared a delightful anecdote about Lennon’s musical inclinations: “One time he got off at St Andrew Square he had been playing a harmonica and driving everyone mad but the bus driver had enjoyed it and told him to come back the next day as he had a top-of-the-range mouth organ which had been left on the bus. 

John couldn’t believe it; he played it all the time.” Legend has it that this mouth organ was the very one Lennon used to craft the famous riff for the Beatles’ first hit “Love Me Do.”

Yoko’s Introduction to Edinburgh

In 1969 Lennon introduced his new wife Yoko Ono to Ormidale Terrace in an effort to connect her with his family and memories. 

The visit may not have entirely achieved its goal but it did lead to a memorable exploration of the Scottish capital. The couple strolled through the city center even making a stop at Lizars on Shandwick Place where Lennon purchased a pair of binoculars.

Desire to Purchase Ormidale Terrace House

In the late 1970s Lennon, then residing in New York, expressed his wish to purchase 15 Ormidale Terrace, the place that had filled his heart with cherished memories during his youth. 

Tragically this dream was never realized as Lennon’s life came to a sudden and heartbreaking end on December 8 1980.

Related reading: Edinburgh has inspired artists, writers, and musicians for centuries. Discover 3 Perfect Days in Edinburgh, explore 7 Fascinating Neighbourhoods of Edinburgh, and find Edinburgh’s Hidden Gems. Start planning your Edinburgh visit with our Scotland trip planning guide.

Download our free Scotland Travel Guide (PDF)

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