View of E side from NE Digital image of E 8560 CN

Description View of E side from NE Digital image of E 8560 CN

Date 21/4/2001

Catalogue Number SC 785520

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content East Wing, Murthly Hospital, Perth & Kinross, from the north-east (closed 1984 and now demolished) This red sandstone, rubble-built, two-storeyed wing stands amidst extensive lawns. The long, rather plain east front is enlivened by semi-octagonal bays and advanced two-bayed end blocks with piended (hipped) roofs. The windows retain their original horizontal-paned glazing. The wing was designed to provide accommodation for either male or female patients in dormitories, single rooms, day rooms and infirmaries. It was designed on the philosophy of allowing 'the sun and air to enter at every window' as light and fresh air were regarded as being therapeutic for the patient as well as calming the troubled mind. The building was 'surrounded by extensive swelling grounds and gardens' where patients could have 'a view of the shrubberies and the fields.....unobstructed by shutters or bars.' Murthly Hospital, designed by the Dundee firm of architects, Charles Edward & Thomas S Robertson, opened in 1864 as the Perth District Asylum for pauper lunatics. It was the second district asylum to open in Scotland, and in 1894 became one of the first to build villas within its grounds in an early attempt to provide accommodation for patients based on the colony or village system. The hospital closed in 1984 and is now demolished. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/785520

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap