The Historic Tinker Experiment - An Apology
Perth and Kinross Council · 14 January 2026
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Full Council Committee Date of Meeting: 14 January 2026 Report Title: The Historic Tinker Experiment – An Apology Report Number: 26/9 Report Author: David McPhee, Team Leader – Equalities Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this Report is to seek members’ approval to issue a formal apology to the Gypsy/Traveller community for the role played by local authorities in Perth and Kinross in implementing historic policies and procedures known as the Tinker Experiment. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Context 4. Background 5. Our Apology 6. Actions to Support our Apology 7. Conclusion 8. Impact Value Assessment 9. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Note the historical context and local impact of the Tinker Experiment in Scotland and Perth and Kinross. 2.2 Note that the historic policies and practices had a direct and lasting impact on the Gypsy/Traveller community.
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2.3 Approve the issuing of a formal apology to the Gypsy/Traveller community for the role played by local authorities in Perth and Kinross in implementing historic policies and procedures known as the Tinker Experiment. 2.4 Agree the actions the Council will take forward which will support the formal apology. 3. Context 3.1 The Gypsy/Traveller "Tinker Experiment" in Scotland refers to a series of controversial policies implemented between the 1940s and 1980s, aimed at forcibly assimilating Scottish Gypsy/Traveller communities. 3.2 The term "Tinker Experiment", now recognised as pejorative, was used to describe state-led initiatives designed to "settle" nomadic Gypsy/Traveller families. 3.3 These policies were supported by successive UK governments, the Scottish Office, local authorities, and the Church of Scotland. 3.4 The overarching goal was to eradicate nomadism. This was done by placing families in substandard housing, often huts or camps, and disrupting extended family structures. 3.5 Key features of the experiment included: • Forced housing in isolated and poor-quality sites. • Threats of child removal if families refused to settle. • Actual removal and adoption of children, including placement overseas. • Surveillance and segregation of Gypsy/Traveller communities. • Cultural suppression, described by researchers as “cultural genocide.” 3.6 A 2025 research report led by the University of St Andrews and commissioned by the Scottish Government found: • Widespread institutional discrimination. • Evidence of systematic control, dehumanisation, and forced assimilation. The report contains several references to archive evidence in relation to Perth and Kinross. The Bobbin Mill site, in Pitlochry, is used as a case study in that report as an example of how sub-standard housing was employed. 3.7 On 25 June 2025, First Minister John Swinney issued a formal apology in the Scottish Parliament, recognising the historical injustices and committing to improving outcomes for Gypsy/Traveller communities.
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4. Background 4.1 Bobbin Mill, a former wartime site, situated in private woodland just outside Pitlochry town centre, has served as a Gypsy/Traveller housing site since 1947. Established by the Scottish Office Department of Health and the Church of Scotland, with approval from the Secretary of State for Scotland, the land was leased to the then County Council for 99 years by Cluniemore Estates (now Pitlochry Estates). 4.2 Families were forcibly settled at Bobbin Mill and accommodated in converted Nissen huts, originally constructed for military use. These huts were overcrowded and lacked basic amenities such as electricity, running water and heating. Additionally, they contained asbestos, which was not removed until the 1980s. Although Perthshire County Council was responsible for upgrading the housing to meet health standards in 1946, this work was not carried out. When the site became overcrowded, children were sent to live elsewhere with some boarding at Kippen House, a children’s home run by Perthshire Council. 5. Our Apology 5.1 The Council acknowledges that the “Tinker Experiment” had a direct and lasting impact on families in Perth and Kinross. It is a matter of deep regret that through the 20th century, local authorities in Perth and Kinross, alongside the UK government, the Scottish Office, Police and the Church of Scotland, were involved in the following policies and practices: • Forced Settlement and Substandard Housing Forcibly settling families at sites such as Bobbin Mill, often against their wishes. These sites, knowingly, provided substandard accommodation and did not meet health standards, despite being responsible for doing so. • Segregation and Isolation Segregating families from the wider community, both physically and socially, which created conditions that led to isolation and exclusion from local society and services. • Child Removal and Family Separation Removing children and separating families when accommodation became overcrowded, including sending children to institutional care such as Kippen House, which led to the breakdown of family and community structures. • Discrimination and Lasting Harm Perpetuating discrimination and negative stereotypes, which contributed to lifelong barriers to employment, education, and social participation for Gypsy/Traveller people. Failing to challenge or address the psychological trauma and intergenerational harm caused by these policies.
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• Lack of Consultation and Consent Implementing policies and decisions without meaningful consultation or consent from Gypsy/Traveller communities and not recognising or respecting the community’s right to self-determination and cultural identity. • Ongoing Legacy The enduring impact of these actions, including ongoing stigma, health inequalities, and mistrust of public authorities. Perth and Kinross Council’s Formal Apology: 5.2 We acknowledge with deep regret the harm caused to Gypsy/Traveller families through the historical policies and practices known as the “Tinker Experiment.” These policies, implemented between the 1940s and 1980s, sought to forcibly assimilate nomadic communities and were supported by successive UK governments, the Scottish Office, local authorities, Police and the Church of Scotland. 5.3 We recognise that these actions, placing families in substandard and isolated housing, threatening and enacting child removals, and suppressing cultural identity, constituted a grave injustice. 5.4 The legacy of these policies continues to affect individuals and families in our region, including those who were settled at Bobbin Mill in Pitlochry under conditions that were overcrowded, unsafe, and lacking basic amenities. 5.5 We are profoundly sorry for the suffering endured by generations of Gypsy/Traveller families in Perth and Kinross. We apologise for the role of local authorities in supporting and implementing these discriminatory practices, and for the lasting impact they have had on mental health, identity, and access to opportunity. 5.6 This apology is not only a recognition of past wrongs but a reaffirmation of our commitment to fairness, inclusion, and respect. We pledge to continue listening, learning, and acting in partnership with Gypsy/Traveller communities to ensure that such injustices are never repeated. 6. Actions to Support our Apology 6.1 To ensure our apology is meaningful and leads to lasting change, the following key actions will be progressed through our Gypsy/Traveller Action Plan and will be monitored closely through our Equality Forum. These actions are aligned with best practice and the recommendations from the recent report: • Formal Acknowledgement and Memorialisation o Issue a public, formal apology acknowledging the role of local authorities and the impact of the Tinker Experiment. o Explore the creation of a permanent memorial or plaque at Bobbin Mill, developed in partnership with Gypsy/Traveller communities.
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• Audit of Archives o Explore the possibility of conducting an audit of the archival materials held by the Council to establish a record of what information exists. • Community Engagement and Co-Production o Continue to work with Gypsy/Traveller residents and representatives, ensuring their voices shape future policy and service delivery. o Explore the possibility of community-led storytelling, oral history, or cultural projects to preserve and share lived experiences. • Improvement of Living Conditions o Continue, and where possible, consider how the planned improvements at Bobbin Mill could be accelerated to ensure all accommodation meets modern standards for safety, comfort, and dignity. o Continue to involve residents directly in the design and decision- making for site upgrades and maintenance. • Restorative Justice and Support o Explore access to trauma-informed support services for those affected by historic policies, including mental health and wellbeing resources. • Education and Awareness o Continue to fund and work alongside Rajpot, Gypsy/Traveller group, to deliver awareness-raising sessions in local schools and community organisations on Gypsy/Traveller history and culture. o Expand training for Council staff and partners on the history and ongoing impact of the Tinker Experiment, anti-discrimination, and cultural competence. • Policy Review and Safeguarding o Ensure our audit processes and impact assessments remain effective in identifying and addressing any forms of discrimination or exclusion. o Commit to ongoing review and improvement, with transparent reporting on progress. • Dedicated Support and Representation o Maintain and strengthen the role of a dedicated Gypsy/Traveller officer to provide advocacy, support, and a direct link between the community and the Council. o Ensure Gypsy/Traveller representation in relevant groups and decision-making bodies. 7. Bobbin Mill Update 7.1 Family members who remain in the area have long campaigned to raise awareness of these issues. They have highlighted experiences of isolation, lifelong discrimination, including barriers to employment due to their background, and lasting psychological trauma as part of the enduring legacy of the Tinker Experiment.
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7.2 In September 2010, the Bobbin Mill site was upgraded to provide six three- bedroom chalet-style homes. This redevelopment was carried out in partnership with Pitlochry Estates, with funding support from the Scottish Government. 7.3 Bobbin Mill remains a local authority site and continues to play a significant role in Gypsy/Traveller housing, reflecting its deep historical and cultural connections for residents. The site now comprises of six chalets, which older caravans, many of which were owned by the residents themselves. In 2022, Bobbin Mill was transferred to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), enabling the Council to plan and deliver long term improvements, including ongoing maintenance, capital upgrades and enhanced resident engagement. 7.4 The Council is currently conducting a feasibility study to improve both the accommodation and the wider site. This process has included extensive resident engagement through surveys and workshops, gathering input on preferred layouts and materials. The Council is committed to working closely with residents to ensure that any upgrades meet both building standards and community preferences. 7.5 To further support residents, the Council has funded a dedicated Gypsy/Traveller officer post. This role is focused on providing enhanced support and assistance to residents at Bobbin Mill and other local authority site at Double Dykes, including the development of a transient site. 8. Conclusion 8.1 The Council remains firmly committed to enhancing outcomes for members of the Gypsy/Traveller community, as reflected in the ongoing delivery of our local Gypsy/Traveller Action Plan. Alongside programme activity, we are making substantial investments to improve accommodation standards across Perth and Kinross. A key example is the £6.5 million transformation of the Double Dykes permanent site, which is now in its final phase. Feedback from residents on the newly delivered chalets and wider site improvements has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the success of this collaborative and community-focused approach. 8.2 Issuing a formal apology for the historic legacy of the Tinker Experiment represents an important and meaningful step in acknowledging past injustices. It will help to build trust, strengthen relationships, and reinforce the Council’s commitment to fairness, inclusion, and respect for all communities. 9. Impact Value Assessment This report has been classified as being an operational report and as such no impact assessment is required as it does not contain recommendations relating to service provision. Any changes to policy, practice or service provision will be assessed as required.
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10. Appendices None