Gregory’s Girl

During the titles we see a shot of the school that Gregory Underwood attends. Robert Struthers advises that this is Abronhill High School, Cumbernauld in Dunbartonshire, Scotland.

Jonathan provides evidence that Abronhill High School is no more, demolished in 2014, but still mentioned on a Larch Road roadsign. The Oak Road Football Pitch now has a fence round it which prevented him from getting back as far as he would have wished. The capture and he were of necessity at ground level. (RL)

School football coach Phil Menzies (Jake D'Arcy) looks on as his team fail to impress.

Andy McArthur (AMcA) took this shot from the football pitches looking at the palisade fencing guarding the ground where Abronhill High School was located. The screen capture has the east end of the building in view which was in line with the fence on the right in the comparison.

Goalie Gregory Underwood (John Gordon Sinclair) and the other players prepare to leave the pitch after the game.

Site of school building behind looking towards the capture 1 site. Goalposts still in place on the Redgra (a gravelly surface) pitch. The ground is decidedly soft so an artificial pitch was wise says Jonathan. (RL)

The shot pans with Gregory as he heads for the changing room.

Jonathan also provides this shot, looking across towards houses in Larch Court/Road. Not the correct angle but shows the bungalow and the start of the row of houses behind Gregory. (RL)

As Gregory outlines the plans that Menzies has for the team to Andy, Dorothy runs across a nearby bridge. Jonathan identifies this as looking up Jane's Brae with the footbridge between Kenilworth court and Hillcrest Avenue. (RL)

The same location captured from the central reservation of Jane's Brae by Ged Browne.

On another day, Charlie (Graham Thompson) and and Andy (Rab Buchanan) make their way to school.

Jonathan has provided this shot of the same place now advising that the underpass is beneath Seafar Road close to the junction with Island Road. Our Lady's High School is behind the camera and we are looking towards Downafield Road and the tower blocks in Berryhill road. He further advises that the building between Charlie and Andy in the screen capture as "The Kingfisher", a derelict former public house and Indian restaurant. (RL)

Whistling is heard as girls pass by.

Jonathan sent this shot revealing that the steps appear to have changed. (RL)

The camera follows as the pupils head for a subway beneath Seafar Road close to the junction with Island Road.

An excellent comparative shot from Jonathan of the underpass that is beneath Seafar Road close to the junction with Island Road. (RL)

Andy smiles and gestures to the whistling boys as they make their way to school. The junction of Seafar Road and Lairds Road located by Chris W.

Jonathan provides a slightly wider comparative shot some 37 years on. (RL)

Gregory picks his way through a multitude of toddlers as he leaves home to make his way to school. Jonathan has pinpointed this as 29 Netherwood Place, Cumbernauld. (RL)

AMcA captured pretty much the same view, just different windows and doors along with newer rough casting on the exterior walls since filming.

The whole street appears to be littered with young children. And also in Netherwood Place this is facing numbers 32 and 33.

Andy McArthur's view shows that the rendering has been renewed as have the windows and doors and there are no children in the street.

Gregory is almost run down by Mr. Clarke, a learner driver being taught by his Father (David Anderson). Moss Road near the southernmost junction with Blackthorn Road, Cumbernauld.

The greenery on the bank has grown as captured by Jonathan who took this shot from the entrance to a small car park. (RL)

A little late for class, Gregory enters school.

Jonathan provides the view today taken through the pallisade fencing. (RL)

Dorothy (Dee Hepburn) is reluctantly trialled to replace under-performing members of the football team.

Jonathan took this shot of the football pitch (now without white lines) looking towards the houses in Oak Road. (RL)

After proving herself as a potential team member, Dorothy argues her performance with the Coach who is obviously looking for male players.

The same view from Jonathan but with more birds. (RL)

Dorothy practices her skills. The skyline is Cumbernauld in North Lanarkshire and Jonathan believes the location to be somewhere on the hillside above Lenziemill in Candlecrigg Country Park. However, Paul Chilton is sure that the view is from the fields off Forest Road.

Jonathan supports with this Google Earth view.

Whilst in goal, Gregory praises the newcomer to the team, Dorothy. Having visited the area, supplied so many "now" shots for us and rewatched the film, Jonathan believes that this is the Oak Road football pitches looking towards the houses in Oak Road. (RL)

The buildings behind the Oak Road football pitches goals are the same. Different colour of wall covering and trees have grown obscuring some of the view. (AMcA)

A young lad watches as he waits outside school for Gregory's sister Madeline, the girl that he is sweet on. Whitelees Primary School, Whitelees Road, Cumbernauld. Information from www.fast-rewind.com

Jonathan confirms the already identified Whitelees Primary School now surrounded by palisade fencing. With the caretaker's house alongside he did not feel comfortable pointing the camera through the fence, even at 8pm! (RL)

Madeline Underwood (Allison Forster) looks back as she leaves the premises. Facing Whitelees Road from the school.

A similar view from Jonathan showing the loss of the pathway. (RL)

More children leave school at the end of classes.

With Abronhill High School demolished, this view was taken at Larch Court looking out from number 49 facing where the entrance was situated. (AMcA)

Billy (Douglas Sannachan), a former pupil who left school and became a window cleaner, brags about girls to his friends.

Jonathan identifies and provides a "now" shot of an area between Spruce Road and Ash Road, Abronhill. (RL)

His friends are not overly impressed by the high life as a window washer.

Jonathan accepts that this is a little off angle but was rather self conscious after lurking with a camera on an estate for so long! (RL)

The group continue on their way as Billy describes the advantages of his job. Jonathan tells us that this footbridge over Blackthorn Road leads to Pine Place and Abronhill shopping centre. The start of the railing can be seen on the far lower right of his capture 21. If only he "had turned around" he says...........we all do it! (RL)

Little change here. The orange block of flats look unaltered but the houses to the left are weathered somewhat. (AMcA)

Adolescent descriptions of sights seen through windows are passed on.

Jonathan identifies the location for us, looking towards the Pine Place. Follow the path round to the right for the Abronhill Shopping Centre. (RL)

Gregory and his sister leave the group and head for home.

The weeds have taken over the footpath in AMcA's shot, and a new fence surrounds the nearest garden. Other smaller detail changes are the public lighting wall unit has been replaced and the cable service feed into the houses replaces what would have been internal cables from BT.

Madeline gives advice to her older brother. Jonathan has found that this Variety Florists were and are on Forth Walk, Cumbernauld Centre. (RL)

Changes are apparent here with renovations to Forth Walk and a change of tenants. What was Variety Flowers is now the Fit Bar but the former business is still listed as being at the address on some websites. (AMcA)

Gregory and Andy walk to school together. The other end of the subway seen earlier confirmed by Tamara Ravencroft.

Ged Browne ventured into the subway running between Seafar Road and Island Road for this comparison.

A physical exercise class continues as Gregory and Dorothy practice football.

Jonathan is once again on the football pitch looking towards Oak Road. (RL)

After plucking up the courage and asking Dorothy on a date, Gregory waits under the clock at the Plaza. The St Enoch Clock in New Town Plaza, Cumbernauld. The area has been redeveloped.

The St Enoch Clock in its relocated position on a link between the Cumbernauld Centre and the Anotine Centre. Its current location is closed off due to development changes. The sign by the barrier said "Should you wish to view the Anotine Clock please ask a member of staff who will gladly provide access" so Jonathan did! And we are very grateful to all, thank you. (RL)

After Dorthy sends a message that she can't make the date, Gregory and Carol (Caroline Guthrie) walk to the chip shop together. Ash Road, Cumbernauld.

Ash Road as already identified, with added bollards in a view provided by Jonathan. (RL)

Carol asks Gregory to wait as she nips into a phone box.

Jonathan took this shot of Ash Road turning left from capture 30. The telephone box has gone. (RL)

The pair continue along the street after Carol has changed clothes. Ash Road again.

Evidence of the "throw away culture" provided by Jonathan. (RL)

A reluctant Gregory buys chips for Carol. Abronhill Shopping Centre.

Jonathan provides this evening shot proving that it is still a chippy. He has also provided evidence that a "Gregory's Girl" poster is displayed inside. (RL)

After Carol 'hands' Gregory over to Margo (Carol McCartney), more chips are purchased. Abronhill Shopping Centre on Larch Road, Cumbernauld.

A similar shot from Jonathan showing the location today. He has also provided evidence that whilst the neighbouring shop facade has changed, that earlier, eastern style facade, can still be seen around the side. (RL)

Margo leads Gregory through the estate.

The rear of Abronhill Parish Church which faces the chip shop in the shopping centre, found by Jonathan. (RL)

Gregory hands the empty chip wrapper to a young lad.

Follow the steps in capture 35 down and we reach the end of Pine Place. A case of "deja vu" for Jonathan, the reverse view of capture 24. (RL)

The pair continue their walk.

Bear slightly right under the link upper storey arch and from the front (footpath side) one looks back towards the road part of Pine Place and the more distant shopping centre. Another location found by Jonathan. (RL)

Margo continues to lead and Gregory follows. Jonathan has also found Pine Road / Broom Road under Blackthorn Road, Cumbernauld. (RL)

Now ageing and decaying, the cobbled wall at the far end is crumbling and a dividing hand rail has been installed since filming in 1981. (AMcA)

Carol brings Gregory to meet Susan (Clare Grogan) . . . . . Park Way, Cumbernauld in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Park Way. Not many of the original flat roofs remain. According to a nearby information panel in Cumbernauld park at the end of the street these were built to house the Cumbernauld Development Corporation's team of architects, surveyors, planners etc whose offices were in the grounds of Cumbernauld house. Thank you for the up to date shots Jonathan and the additional information. (RL)

As an addendum, Jonathan provides this capture off the information board in Cumbernauld House Park which advises that the tree he took for the "now" was the one in the film. (RL)

Jonathan's shot of the tree itself. (RL)