A Holiday From Glasgow

A Memory of Fornethy Residential School.

I went to fornethy residential school twice in my childhood, each time my mum was having a child. 1960 and 1962. I spent 6 weeks each time.
I have read thru most of the comments here, and I’m so glad for me I didn’t experience anything like this whilst at the school. It was strict, regarding mealtimes, the food had to be eaten and no talking, but it was like that in my own home so that wasn’t a problem for me. I enjoyed the walks and being in nature, also loved playing in the play area at the back of the building. Only once when in my dormitory we should have been sleeping but instead we were all playing and exploring the school, we got caught and everyone was smacked with a table tennis bat on their backside, but when it came to my turn she let me off, I was so glad. I don’t remember any male staff being at this school, maybe they came after 1962.
I had nice memories of being in this beautiful place and having so many friends.
life was hard then and parents and even school teacher could enforce physical punishment on you but I just took it because I did sometimes misbehave and that was what happened to you if you did. It was the norm. I’m not saying it is right and in todays world it’s is definitely not accepted which is a good thing, but in those days it was what went on and you just got on with it, being smacked or shouted at. I never experienced any sexual abuse ever and feel sad for children who did whilst being at fornethy. I was known as letty hastings at that time and the approx time I stayed there would be. Oct 1960 and July 1962. Maybe someone who was there at the same time will remember me.