Patsy Whyte was born in 1955 in a one-time army barracks condemned unfit for human habitation. One of a family of ten traveller children torn apart by the state, she grew up in a children's home in Aberdeen until 15.
Traveller families across Scotland were treated similarly, "ethnically cleansed", their children snatched from street and countryside. Children were taken without warning, during the day or in the middle of the night, and placed into "care". Little or no attempt was made to keep brothers and sisters together.
It was all hidden, of course, a shameful episode from Scotland's past. But the repercussions are still felt to this day. Patsy's family was all but destroyed, scattered to the wind. She grew up knowing little or nothing about any of them. Today, despite trying to build up a relationship with brothers and sisters, the family bond is now a mere shadow of what it should have been.
Patsy Whyte is always happy to hear from readers. Email any thoughts or comments you may have to patsy.whyte@live.co.uk - and thank you!
