Netherlea House

Netherlea House, which stood on the main road between Newport and Wormit, was built in the early 1890s for shipowner Andrew Leitch. He had started his working life in the 1850s as a colliery clerk at Cowdenbeath  but by 1870 he was living in Dundee and working as agent there for the Beath colliery. In the 1870s he founded the Dundee Loch Line Shipping Company and was soon the proprietor of a string of steamships.

Stained glass from the staircase window

Before moving into Netherlea he had previously lived with his wife and large family at Hillcrest, on Wellpark Terrace. He and his wife had 13 children between 1859 and 1882, two of whom died in infancy/childhood. His wife died in 1897 as a result of a carriage accident, but Andrew remarried in 1902 and he and his second wife continued to live at Netherlea. He died in 1916.

Netherlea was a large house, even by Victorian standards. According to the 1901 census there were 13 rooms and three servants to help with the running of the house. Outside there were various outhouses and a greenhouse, as well as spacious and well cared for grounds, as can be seen in the view above.


Provost of Newport

Andrew Leitch was Provost of Newport from 1896 until 1899. He was only the second Provost, the first having been Alexander Scott. Andrew’s oldest son Robert T Leitch would follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming Provost from 1911 until 1914. Andrew Leitch was a shareholder in the Tayside Electric Company, so there’s every likelihood that the metal sun signs at the peaks of the roof (see hospital picture) were an advertisement for the company’s electricity supply.

Netherlea as a hospital

War Service

From the 1920s until around 1940 Netherlea belonged to David Brakenridge. During World War II it was occupied by officers of the Norwegian Air Force, stationed at nearby Woodhaven, before being taken over by Fife Council after the war. Its future as a hospital was then decided. It was the first hospital to open in Scotland under the new NHS in 1948.

Maternity Hospital

Netherlea after Closure

Netherlea after Closure

From 1948 until 1974 Netherlea was a maternity hospital, and many Old Newportonians are happy to say they were born there. Until 1997 it served as a long stay hospital for the elderly, before its final role as a much appreciated community hospital until closure in 2011. Sadly the building deteriorated rapidly, becoming quite derelict, and it was demolished in 2019. Plans have been passed to build houses on the site.

Comments about this page

  • I was born here in 1967. From there it was back to Glenrothes and on with life, mostly outside Fife. I’ve been writing “Newport on Tay” as my place of birth all my life but have only returned once, on the day of my 50th birthday. I used to joke I’d return to the old folks home and complete the circle, obviously that doesn’t work anymore.

    By RK (26 December 2023)
  • I was born at netherlea on 3 August 1960, followed by my sister margaret 1961 and brother George 1965. Always felt proud to say I was born in newport on tay.

    By Audrey Carmichael (21 October 2023)
  • It is lovely to see pictures of where I was born. I was born there in 1957, have visited once since then, so sad it is no longer there, proud to have been born there.

    By sandra (12 October 2023)
  • I was born in Netherlea on 19th December 1950 at 8:10 a.m. just as the lighting failed
    and as my Mother was telling the nurse my name would be Pamela. The nurse was aghast saying oh no, it’s almost Christmas, her name should be Carol, Christmas Carol. So Carole I became! It’s good to see the building after all these years and to learn the history. Our home was in Elie at that time.

    By Carole (nee Ritchie) (22 April 2023)
  • Thank you for these wonderful memories Lorraine. They bring Netherlea back to life again.

    By Mairi Shiels (08 January 2023)
  • I worked at Netherlea in late 80’s, 12 patients (all women), I was 18 and a care assistant. I still remember some of the patients’ names to this day. The Sister/Matron at the time was a Mrs Blatchford, a formidable woman to someone of 18, but her care and compassion was first class of her staff and the residents. It was a lovely old house, the staff quarters (not used) at the top of the house were tiny (and not really to be explored!). It had a lovely large old staircase, where our staff room and staff lounge were located along with other offices. The gardens were amazing and all the flower arrangements in the main hall in spring/summer came from the gardens. I have very fond memories of my time there and sad ones, when you only have 12 long stay elderly patients, they were like an extension of your family. Such a shame this property was closed and fell into disrepair to have it demolished.

    By Lorraine Petrie (05 January 2023)
  • I was born here on 2nd December 1961. My dad was in army but brought my mum home to Kennoway so I could be born in Scotland

    By lorraine medlock (25 November 2022)
  • Thanks Peter for these memories. I think everyone was sad to see Netherlea go.

    By Mairi Shiels (15 April 2022)
  • I was born there in September 1950. My dad was stationed at RAF Leuchars at the time. As was normal with the RAF, my dad was subsequently posted and I, as a baby, moved to Looe in Cornwall with my mum to live with my grandparents. I have always been very proud to say that I was born in Newport-on-Tay and was delighted to be able to see my birthplace in the early 2000’s but sad to hear it is no more.
    Greetings to all fellow Newportians.

    By Peter Vallance (15 April 2022)
  • I was born in Netherlea, March 1952. I later worked there in the NHS , from 2001 to 2004 as Voluntary Services Manager for NEFLHCC. It was one of the three hospitals under my wing, the others being St Andrews Memorial, and Adamson in Cupar. Happy days.

    By Pam Baird (14 December 2021)

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