The best of three

As a medical student in the late fifties Neil recalls that his student life centred around Middle Meadow Walk. The Medical School being on one side, the Royal Infirmary opposite and the former Men’s Union (now Teviot) and ‘The Barbeque’ (now Doctor’s pub) nearby.

Whilst many elements remain the same and Middle Meadow Walk remains a key thoroughfare for today’s medics, the new Royal is a little further away and the NHS shuttle bus is vital.

Digs for £3

Across the other side of the Meadows lies Marchmont, as bustling with students 50 years ago as it is today. In the late 50s, £3 a week secured Neil ‘digs’ on Warrender Park Road where landlady Mrs Carruthers looked after her student tenants with meals and accommodation. From Marchmont Neil travelled to the Royal and the Western as well as many former city hospitals including Elsie Inglis, Bruntsfield and the Eastern.

Neil’s early career in medicine was certainly varied. He trained as an Otolaryngologist, became an expert in parotid surgery, and worked in several UK major cities before sailing around the world as a ship’s surgeon. Back on solid ground he stayed close to the sea working as a consultant ENT surgeon in Blackpool, treating many a ventriloquist, comedian and opera star to whom his skills were career saving.

Doctor of many trades

Neil retired from surgery in his late 50s with his sights set on a return to Edinburgh University to study Scottish History. Matriculating in 1998 he was delighted to return to student life beside the Meadows albeit in a different building and a much changed George Square. The Main Library now occupied the space where student accommodation at Cowan House once sat.

Graduating from McEwan Hall became a habit for Neil as he was awarded his MSc in 1999 and PhD in 2004, 40 years after his MBChB. Today the School of History, Classics and Archaeology resides in the Old Medical School and as an Honorary Postdoctoral Fellow Neil often works from there when he isn’t at home on Skye. His involvement in publications and research is ongoing, as is his connection with the Old Medical School building, 57 years after first passing through its doors.

Send us your story

We regularly feature alumni interviews on our website, in the newsletter and in the alumni magazine. We love to share your memories and to find out what happened next. If you have a tale to tell then please get in touch with us at alumni@ed.ac.uk.

Related links

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology

The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine