Woman's memories of Glasgow's Rottenrow and brother she lost

“John Douglas Connor was born in Rottenrow on March 15, 1950, and the doctors said he had a ‘perfectly-shaped head,’” she says.

“They carried him off to be ‘exhibited to medical students’ ...

"The nurses used to dance him up and down the ward singing ‘music, music, music’, from the biggest selling song of the time by Teresa Brewer, which went, ‘put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon, all I want is loving you and music, music, music…’”

She adds: “He was mum and dad's firstborn, arriving exactly a year to the day since they lost their first child, and on her brother Tom Kelly's 50th birthday.”

John with his mum in 1997 (Image: Dorothy Connor)

Many Times Past readers have got in touch to share their memories of Glasgow’s famous Rottenrow Hospital.

Established as the Glasgow Lying-In Hospital on Greyfriars Wynd in 1834, Rottenrow - The Royal Maternity Hospital – was highly unusual for its time because it cared for unmarried women, as well as married women.

It moved to Rottenrow, the street which gave the hospital its everyday name, in 1860.

Rottenrow Maternity (Image: Newsquest)

The hospital went on to lead the way in major developments in obstetrics, including Murdoch Cameron’s pioneering work in caesarean sections, Munro Kerr’s research into maternal mortality, and Ian Donald’s development of ultrasound scanning. Rottenrow also became internationally renowned as a leading training centre in midwifery.

Only part of its facade remains, and a giant nappy pin sculpture created in its grounds by famous Glasgow artist George Wyllie.

Dorothy got in touch to share her memories after reading about other Glasgow families who hold the hospital close to their hearts.

Midwives at Rottenrow in 1936 (Image: Newsquest)

Sadly, her brother John died very suddenly in 2021.

“The standing joke between us was we would always ask each other, ‘are you still singin’ and dancin’?’ and the reply would be ‘I’m okay’, and as you know, in Glasgow that means you are doing all right…,” says Dorothy, who lives in Rutherglen.

“I said it to him the day before he died, and he said, ‘I’m glad you’re doing okay….’”

Dorothy and John in 1973 (Image: Dorothy Connor)

John was a construction manager, who worked on contracts all over Scotland, explains Dorothy, including the building of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood in Edinburgh.

“He was my rock all through my cancer journey a few years ago,” says Dorothy. “He was with me every step of the way.”

Dorothy remembers her mum telling her that after John was born, a neighbour came to collect mother and baby to take them home.

“My dad was a hospital engineer at the Southern General and he couldn’t get the time off,” says Dorothy. “But the neighbour had brought my mum a pair of stiletto heels to wear – hardly ideal when carrying a new baby down that very steep slope at Rottenrow.”

Do you have fond memories of Rottenrow? Get in touch to share your stories and photos. Email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.