Hibs grant bucket list wish for dementia patient's final visit to beloved stadium
An 88-year-old Borders care home resident with dementia has had his bucket list dream fulfilled after returning to his beloved football stadium for one last visit.
Alex Robertson of Galashiels, who has lived at Riverside Health Care Centre, Selkirk, for more than a year, told staff during a monthly residents’ meeting that he would love to go back to Easter Road — the home of Hibernian F.C.
The care home holds regular meetings to ensure residents remain involved in planning their activities. Activities co-ordinator Lori Wilson said staff always ask: “What’s the one thing you can’t do right now? Where would you love to go?”
For Alex, a devoted Hibs supporter since boyhood, the answer was simple — one more trip to Easter Road.
Lori contacted the club and reached out to Events Manager Roxy Simpson, who went above and beyond to make the visit happen. Although stadium tours are not normally held on Wednesdays, Roxy gave up her morning to provide Alex with a private tour.
“When we arrived, she handed him a goody bag with a scarf and a signed photo,” Lori said. “He absolutely loved it.”
Alex, whose long-term memory remains strong despite his dementia, fondly recalls attending matches during the 1960s and 70s. He was especially thrilled to stand pitchside once again and revisit the hospitality suites, where he was given a talk on the club’s history.
“He called it his ‘home from home’,” Lori said.
The visit sparked memories of legendary players, including Pat Stanton, who Alex watched play in his younger days. A trip to the newly opened museum outside the stadium brought back even more memories, as he recognised vintage kits from an era before shirt sponsors and saw billboards featuring former players he remembered well.
Staff also treated Alex to a couple of new tops and a flat cap from the club shop.
Lori, who is a Rangers F.C. supporter, joked that she had teased Alex beforehand.
“I was winding him up, saying there’s no way a Rangers fan is taking you to Easter Road – there’s more chance of me taking you to Ibrox!” she laughed. “But when we got there and he saw the stadium, his wee face just lit up.”
Alex’s daughters Lynne and Karen were overwhelmed when they heard about the surprise.
Lynne said: “My heart is racing. Dad will absolutely love this – it will bring back so many happy memories for him.” She described Lori as an “angel” for organising the trip.
Daughter Karen added that her father would be “over the moon”, having supported Hibs “from boy to man.”
For Alex, the visit was the fulfilment of a long-held wish.
“It was on his bucket list to go back to Easter Road one last time,” Lori said. “So we made it happen.”
For one day at least, the years rolled back. And in the place he has always called home, Alex was simply a Hibs supporter again – smiling, remembering, and soaking in every moment.