"It will always be very precious to me."

As part of our 45^th anniversary celebrations, one of the founding members of Strathcarron Hospice has shared insight into how the charity’s name, location and logo came to fruition almost five decades ago.

Ailsa Simpson joined us recently for our 45^th anniversary celebrations at Strathcarron to cut the cake on our special day of memories.

Ailsa was a social worker attached to the unit that fellow founder geriatrician Dr Harold Lyon worked at in 1975, when he approached her with his idea about creating a local Hospice.

Ailsa and Dr Lyon, alongside a number of congregation members of Stirling Baptist Church and other local interested people, then held discussions about creating a local hospice serving the Forth Valley area.

Harold had a vision of what could be possible locally to help people and we were all very keen to help it come to fruition.

The Stirling and Falkirk District Hospice Movement was launched, with Dr Lyon as Chairman and Inge Samwell as Secretary in 1975. The very first fundraising event was held in Bridge of Allan.

Ailsa said: “Our first fundraising event raised £100 – a lot of money back then! After a few years of fundraising events, we reached around £35,000. I was searching the property pages of The Scotsman one day and saw a photo of Randolph Hill House for sale. I turned to my husband Sandy and said ‘I think I have found the Hospice!’ It was in Denny – midway between Falkirk and Stirling, so seemed like a good location.

“We went to view the house on a lovely sunny day and walked all around it. We saw the lion carving at the foot of the stairs and it all felt like it was meant to be!

“There was interest from other possible buyers so we wanted to make an offer quickly. The Trustee Savings Bank gave us the difference in a loan and we were given the keys to the building on 11 Dec 1978. “

Ailsa says the name for the Hospice came from her husband Sandy, who was also a keen supporter of the Hospice.

One evening he was looking at a publication by St Andrews University of a manuscript from the 14^th century and the name on the map across the Denny and Carron area at that time was ‘Strathcarron’.

Ailsa said: “We shared the name with the group and everyone agreed that was a suitable, so that was it decided!

“For the next few years, the focus was on raising more money and working towards getting the house ready for opening.

“Local people were very generous and supportive.”

Before officially opening, the founding group formalised the charity and created a board of management. A group called the Friends of Strathcarron Hospice was also launched.

Tom Scott was appointed the first Director and Dr Lyons was the first Medical Director. Molly Parsons was employed as the Matron. On open day was held to allow people to come along and see the hospice as a thank you to those who had donated, and on 21 April 1981 the house was opened to welcome its first patient.

Molly Parsons meets Her Royal Highness Princess Anne 

Ailsa said: “When we held the open day, there was a queue from the front door right down the drive. A large number of people who came to view the house which was decorated by flowers donated by the local shops.

It was an exciting day and a wonderful realisation that we had made it.

The day we opened we only had enough money to pay the staff for the first few months. Every person came to work for us on good faith.”

Once the Hospice opened, Ailsa continued in her role on the Council of Management, and helped organise fundraising activities such as the Ladies Lunches, a grand evening at Keir House Estate near Dunblane and garden parties held in the grounds of Callander House.

Ailsa said: “The Princess Royal first came to visit when we had been open around 18 months.

Her visit was memorable and she spoke kindly with everyone there. After her visit we wondered if she could be our patron, however she asked to be a ‘Friend of the Hospice’ instead so she could visit whenever she liked which we thought was lovely.”

In the first few years of the Hospice, there was a small run of 200 silver broaches made by Graham Stewart Jewellers in Dunblane, featuring the caring hands symbol logo. Princess Anne was gifted the first one created, and the Wallace family (the previous owners of Randolph Hill House) requested to have number 200, securing their special part of history and the part they played in Strathcarron’s story.

Ailsa Simpson and Marjory Mackay, Strathcarron Director of Nursing 

Around 15 years ago Ailsa stepped down from the Council of Management and her volunteering activities.

Ailsa said: “It felt like the right time to step down and let others take it forward.

“I have my own special memories of Strathcarron. Having been so involved in setting it up and helping in its first years it will always be very precious to me.

“I always hoped if I needed the services, I would get to come. Thankfully I have never needed the services myself. It’s lovely to look back on the memories of what was created.

“I come back and think back to what it was like originally back then – the sun streaming into the house. It has been lovely to have felt part of it.”

 Ailsa Simpson taking part in the Celebrate 45 loom weave

 

Read more  News from Strathcarron Hospice 

Published 15 May 2026