Tributes to hospital matron Margaret
Doctor remembers‘ calm and in control’ Crieff colleague
Kind tributes have been paid to former Crieff Cottage Hospital matron Margaret Kinloch, who passed away recently aged 87.
Margaret was born into a farming family who lived at Clathybeg, Gask, on August 12, 1932.
After attending school locally, she completed her initial nursing course at Perth Royal Infirmary before undertaking her midwifery training in Dundee.
Former colleague Dr Alastair Morrison first encountered Margaret when she was working as Surgical Ward Sister at PRI in 1967.
He said: “When I returned to Crieff two years later as a trainee GP, I discovered that she was now matron of Crieff Cottage Hospital and we would go on to have a close and harmonious professional relationship lasting almost 30 years.
“Life would not have been easy for Margaret in her role as hospital matron, but she was always calm and firmly in control.
“She had to cope with endless administration problems and was ultimately responsible for everything that went on at the hospital.
“She always achieved the correct balance of firmness and flexibility.
“A typical comment from those who knew her was that she was fair to everyone.
“The hospital was always open and people would turn up at any time, day or night.
“Margaret also had to cater for hospital clinics for PRI consultants, again requiring much organisation.
“Compared to the present day, there was very little technology available and practically everything had to be done manually.”
Margaret decided to retire when the new Crieff Community Hospital opened and relocated to Perth, where she enjoyed pursuing a wide range of activities.
She performed with the Perth Amateur Operatic Society for more than 30 years and was an enthusiastic member of the Muirend Bridge Club.
Margaret continued her association with Gask, and was an active member of Gask Parish Church all her life.
She also returned regularly to Crieff to attend art classes, a hobby for which she showed considerable talent.
Dr Morrison continued: “She continued to visit us from time to time, always taking a keen interest in the medical profession which had been so important to her.
“I have so many fond memories of our time at Crieff Cottage Hospital, in particular the Christmas Eve parties which most of the doctors attended.
“These were filled with much music and merriment and my family remember especially taking turns at being two halves of the donkey which went round the beds with gifts for the patients.
“This was all presided over by Margaret. It was something at which she excelled. “We shall miss her.”
Much-loved Margaret is survived by her five siblings and her many nieces and nephews all over the world.