Edinburgh veteran lives on the streets as ‘PTSD makes it difficult to return to normal life’

Homelessness is on the rise in Scotland and even veterans are among those calling for change on Princes Street.

According to 2022 ONS data, around 1 in 400 veterans reported being homeless, sleeping rough or living in a domestic abuse refuge.

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Edinburgh Live has been speaking to homeless people about the factors that drive them to the streets in Scotland’s capital. Neil shared his story as he begged for money on Princes Street with his dog, Shadow.

Neil served seven tours of duty in Northern Ireland between 1992 and 1995 during The Troubles. After returning to Scotland, he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and was unable to hold down a job.

He tried working in kitchens when he returned to Edinburgh, but said his cooking days were “behind him” because his PTSD made even the sound of a microwave beeping “scary”.

Neil continued: “It’s hard leaving the army and going back to normal life.

“When I was serving, I was too young to realize what was happening. I think when your brain sees something traumatic, you put it in the back of your mind. It’s only years later that it comes back.”

Neil said his traumatic memories from the army are things he still thinks about “every day.”

Stories of veterans being forced onto the streets due to mental health issues suffered in the line of duty are all too common. When he left the military in 1995, Neil doesn’t recall any mental health resources being offered to veterans.

He said: “Back then, it wasn’t like it is now with mental health. Now, you can talk about it – back then, it was frowned upon. They train you to be a soldier, but it’s hard to switch off.”

In the absence of mental health support, Neil developed a dependence on alcohol and cannabis, saying it was “a way to cope and get my brain back on track. I couldn’t get away from those things.”

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Neil said “most” of his friends struggled with similar things after leaving the military. However, despite his experience, Neil said his service was “probably the best time of my life”.

He continued: “Obviously there were bad times, but you get closer to people because of what happens, you relate to them like brothers.

“Unless you guys go through it together, it’s hard to explain. Those guys would risk their lives for you. That’s how close we were.”

Neil hopes to return to work in the future and is currently looking to start volunteering at Hibernian Football Club.

He said, “Work is everything. If I’m not working, I don’t feel like myself.”

However, Neil said it can be difficult to find a job that allows him to take his dog, Shadow, with him. Neil adopted the dog three years ago, saying the pup provides companionship and improves his mental health.

The UK government provides guidance for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

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