Born in Edinburgh but not in the Infirmary, I was in the building three times in my life.

1967

Age 14, I had my appendix removed. I spent a week in what I assume was Women’s Surgical. The day room (these little spaces built between the turret areas) faced on to Herriot’s and I watched the leaves gradually open on the trees in the May sunshine as the boys (and it was all boys in those days) parade along Lauriston Place.

I also got an education from the older women (probably in their 20’s) who had led much racier lives than me in bits of Edinburgh I did not know.

And I started a journey that ended up in eating disorders when the surgery made very critical and unthinking remarks about my body. Hopefully it would not happen today.

1970

During the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh I was knocked down by a bus in Princes St + ended up in A&E with a broken nose and wonderfully bruised eye. I was meeting the Duke of Edinburgh a couple of days later – he noticed!

1969/70

As part of my DofE service I was a volunteer in the wards – tea trolley, selling newspapers and sweets. Only did it for a few days but it was an interesting glimpse of another life.

And lastly as a student I walked along the Meadows most days along the south walk of the building.

The new Futures Institute is amazing.