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Linda Fraser

Linda stayed at a YWCA hostel in the Inverleith area of Edinburgh from the age of 18 during the 1960s where she made lifelong friends.

Linda Fraser, story shared April 2025

As a teen I moved down from the north of Scotland and lived in the YWCA at Inverleith, Edinburgh for about a year. My family knew of the YWCA and suggested Inverleith as it was not too far from my place of work. Another reason was that coming from a churchy family they would have known of the Christian ethos of the YWCA.

What a lovely and safe place it felt to me! I was 18 years old in 1963. The hostel was full of other girls from up north so there was lots of chat and going out together. Instant friendships. I shared a room with three other like-minded girls, Norma a drama student, Margaret, an art student and the third one Anne – like myself – a secretary in an office.

I recall the place was run by Mrs Buie and Ms McKinnon who I seem to remember came from the west coast of Scotland, maybe Barra. The food was lovely – tables set for breakfast and evening meal, clean bathrooms and the whole place had a feeling of order – a bit like being at your granny or your aunt’s house.

There was a time to be back in the evenings, time for meals, no antisocial behaviour. I cannot remember the expectations the staff had of us – I know we had to pay on time, leave the bathroom clean, beds made and the area around if tidy.

I remember once someone with a contact to the United States army base nearby sent a bus for those of us willing to go and dance – it was great fun. I had a few dates with boyfriends who never lasted. I knew straight away if I liked them. Then I met my future husband at a party and we are now 68 years married.

Finally I moved from the hostel at Inverleith into independent flats on Lothian Road, Edinburgh. These were a step up and again I felt safe and secure there. I am not sure how many flats there were. I shared with a lovely girl from Abrbroath, Jennifer, whose date of birth was exactly the same as mine. We have since lost contact.

For a period, I volunteered at a church youth club, but I never felt any pressure from the YWCA to do so. Looking back, it was a wonderful and safe period and I absolutely loved the period of time I spent in Edinburgh at the YWCA.