Remembering the French 'Onion Johnnies' who became part of Scottish life

By Alison Campsie
Published 6th Aug 2019, 15:22 BST
Updated 6th Aug 2019, 16:22 BST
'Onion Johnnie' Andre Tenguy in Edinburgh in 1948.placeholder image
'Onion Johnnie' Andre Tenguy in Edinburgh in 1948.

For decades, the 'Onion Johnnies' brought a piece of the north of France to Scotland and sold their distinctive pink onions door-to-door.

The Onion Johnnies became familiar to many, with the groups of workers living in basic conditions for little money as they tried to scrape a living. But some of them stayed - and found a true home in Scotland.

The Onion Johnnies typically came from Britanny to sell their wares, arriving in late July and usually staying until Christmas or New Year.placeholder image
The Onion Johnnies typically came from Britanny to sell their wares, arriving in late July and usually staying until Christmas or New Year.
Onions typically arrived from France by boat and then stored by the docks, with this warehouse at Admiralty St, Leith, photographed in 1962.placeholder image
Onions typically arrived from France by boat and then stored by the docks, with this warehouse at Admiralty St, Leith, photographed in 1962.
The first reference to Onion Johnnies working in Britain was in 1820 and in Scotland it is known they worked door-to-door until at least the 1980s.placeholder image
The first reference to Onion Johnnies working in Britain was in 1820 and in Scotland it is known they worked door-to-door until at least the 1980s.
Related topics:ScotlandFrance
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