I was born on 28th October 1957 at Dumfries Royal Infirmary, the fourth child of a family of six. My father was a farmer at Rainton Farm in Galloway and we were brought up in, what some might consider to be, idyllic conditions. Everybody had to help on the farm but there was plenty of time for play with many children whose parents lived on the farm. Relatives lived close by so we saw a lot of cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents.
I went to Gatehouse Primary school and enjoyed my years there, but one memory includes being belted for swinging on the desks! We travelled the five miles by bus.
After 1st year at the attached secondary school I went to Kirkcudbright Academy which was ten miles away. I remember the miner's strike in 1972/1973 when I was studying for O grades and we only went to school for three days a week because of problems heating and lighting the school. This seemed like great idea and we got through the work just the same, as the teachers set it for homework. (A suggestion for modern education?) At night we would have candles and lamps if the electricity was not on. I seem to recall that the electricity was off on a rota basis in different districts.
Kirkcudbright Academy was a comprehensive school and served a large rural area, many pupils travelling by bus. Memories include lots of hockey matches and school choir. We performed Gilbert and Sullivan operas and were invited to sing at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, definitely a highlight.
Ponies were a big part of our lives and we started by wintering ponies from a holiday farm where the ponies were used for trekking. Later we had our own ponies and went to pony club and shows, mum being a great support with all the driving and back-up. Living on a farm made the finances easier as vets bills, blacksmith bills and all the rest make it an expensive hobby.
Socially, living in a rural area had problems and you had to rely on lifts to buses to get to the cinema or parties or stay with friends. Nothing has changed there! I joined the Young Farmer's Club and this had a great social aspect to it as well as events ranging from stock-judging to debating competitions.
Early family holidays were spent in a 'hut' at the local beach, Sandgreen. We would go with our cousins so there were ten children altogether and the two mums. The dads, both farmers would join us for meals as they would be working. We certainly had unlimited hours playing on the beach and many good memories. Fantastic holidays. As we grew older we had various touring holidays in Scotland and France, widening our horizons.
I think that the upbringing I had could not be beaten, and having the secure but fun environment made me thirst for adventures further afield.
I went to Gatehouse Primary school and enjoyed my years there, but one memory includes being belted for swinging on the desks! We travelled the five miles by bus.
After 1st year at the attached secondary school I went to Kirkcudbright Academy which was ten miles away. I remember the miner's strike in 1972/1973 when I was studying for O grades and we only went to school for three days a week because of problems heating and lighting the school. This seemed like great idea and we got through the work just the same, as the teachers set it for homework. (A suggestion for modern education?) At night we would have candles and lamps if the electricity was not on. I seem to recall that the electricity was off on a rota basis in different districts.
Kirkcudbright Academy was a comprehensive school and served a large rural area, many pupils travelling by bus. Memories include lots of hockey matches and school choir. We performed Gilbert and Sullivan operas and were invited to sing at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, definitely a highlight.
Ponies were a big part of our lives and we started by wintering ponies from a holiday farm where the ponies were used for trekking. Later we had our own ponies and went to pony club and shows, mum being a great support with all the driving and back-up. Living on a farm made the finances easier as vets bills, blacksmith bills and all the rest make it an expensive hobby.
Socially, living in a rural area had problems and you had to rely on lifts to buses to get to the cinema or parties or stay with friends. Nothing has changed there! I joined the Young Farmer's Club and this had a great social aspect to it as well as events ranging from stock-judging to debating competitions.
Early family holidays were spent in a 'hut' at the local beach, Sandgreen. We would go with our cousins so there were ten children altogether and the two mums. The dads, both farmers would join us for meals as they would be working. We certainly had unlimited hours playing on the beach and many good memories. Fantastic holidays. As we grew older we had various touring holidays in Scotland and France, widening our horizons.
I think that the upbringing I had could not be beaten, and having the secure but fun environment made me thirst for adventures further afield.
