Nostalgic memories of Fornethy Residential School's local history
Share your own memories of Fornethy Residential School and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 33 in total
Went here with my sister in 1978/9 was 8 yrs old I hated the place was made to stand out side of the dorm all night naked due to wetting the bed also got hit with a cane for talking cold baths having to scrub with a scrubber force to eat food I didn’t like was terrified of the pl due to noises you would hear threw the night letters very rarely got sent out or received same with money that got ...see more
My sister and I was sent to a residential school in Perth I think this must be the same one. Was this the school where you couldn’t wear trousers I remember being sent there with a trouser suit on and was made to take it off even though the top showed our pants. The first night we cried and were made to sit on the threadbare carpet all night . If you wet the bed the wet sheets were displayed on ...see more
My memory of this horrible place was if you never liked any food you were made to eat it all, even if you were sick. I was very young at the time possibly between 6-9 years old 1976-79. The water was freezing cold when you had a shower. I used to wet the bed as I was so scared and upset of not being at home and I was made to stand outside my dormitory with my wet nightdress on and my mattress at the side ...see more
Anyone here who went to that hell hole please join https://www.facebook.com/share/kP2qk4iPePENngjk/
And pm myself Cee J Harris or Marion Reid we are a group fighting for Justice for us all
I was here with my sisters in the 1980s and I remember it as scary and horrible. There was 3 teachers i remember miss fletcher she worked in a wee tiny tiny shop with her wee white dog.miss lockie old women played piano in the play room and miss she was the worse horrible nasty made me eat sweetcorn I said I didn't like it was told eat now I was sick she made me spoon it up and eat it because I cried I ...see more
I went here wi my wee sister roughly 1975, I was 8 n she was 3, we went on a bus from buchanan St.
I think our dorm was called ambrosia, top of the stairs & along to the right, I think there where 6/8 beds in it, I remember the wee floral pinnies, I remember loads about this place 😔 I remember that miss fletcher & Mrs lockie, she was an older woman. There where guinea pigs in the garden ...see more
My name is Donna Boyd then Wilson. l went in 1968 then again in 72. I have good memories - so good I would have went back again if I could. l remember the long walks through the woods also walking down the stoney Brae to the stream - we would paddle and we had a packet lunch and all the girls and I had a great time. I enjoyed the classroom we would write home and also get our mail - ...see more
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 ...see more
I’ve just found this website, I had already spoken to Thomsons after finding out about case and seeing it in the daily record. I had a terrible abusive childhood and I was sent to Fornethy several times from 1971 - 1976 when I first went I was only about 5, memories from that time had been locked away, I told Thomsons all the dorm names, couldn’t remember teachers names except Mrs Fletcher. I’m ...see more
Hi everyone I went to Fornethy in the late 70s I went there twice and most of the teachers were brilliant only for a wee old grumpy one don’t know her name she would always be knitting and took the knitting classes I also remember the outings, showers baths and getting the cod liver oil my dorm was called ESK I remember even making little statue of Paddington bear and painting it and bringing it home
Susan