View from SSW Digital image of E 8567 CN

Description View from SSW Digital image of E 8567 CN

Date 21/4/2001

Catalogue Number SC 785524

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content Murthly Hospital, Perth & Kinross, from south-south-west (closed 1984 and now demolished) This impressive building, set within extensive lawns, was designed on an H-plan. At the centre of its long south-facing front (right), which forms the cross arm of the 'H', is a two-storeyed, Italianate-style administration block, added c.1871 to designs by the architect, David Smart, and topped by a large octagonal timber cupola that served as an observation tower. Two-storeyed pavilion wings, designed by Edward & Robertson, accommodated male patients on one side, and female patients on the other. The elegant Victorian conservatory is probably a later addition. The design of the hospital on the H plan was the most practical, and allowed for the maximum supervision of patients from key positions using the minimal number of staff. Each wing was structurally identical and contained patients carefully classified by sex, class and complaint. Although the sexes were segregated in terms of accommodation, they did meet for meals in the dining hall in the central administration block, and enjoyed each other's company for social events and church services in the recreation hall. 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/785524

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap