Interviews of Mary Fairley aged 86

Biographical interview with Mary Fairley (aged 86). Mary, whose father was a dairyman, talks about her early life and schooldays. Although her mother wanted her to go on to university, Mary was determined to go into nursing. She got a job at Moat Brae and worked there until she was 19 and could begin her training in Edinburgh. She also returned to Moat Brae for a short while after she had completed her training. She married and had 5 children. Although she didn't return to nursing, she did informal caring at a time when provision for this was very different.

She talks about her time at Moat Brae, especially remembering the layout of the house and gardens and says that it felt as though you were in the country when you stepped out into the grounds at the back of the house. She recalls that some of the patients at Moat Brae where there a long time and there was a great sense of camaraderie. Mary relates some anecdotes relating to nursing and Moat Brae and also talks about returning to work after her last child had started at school.