So i finally wangled it, an escorted visit to Glencoe Hospital!
Glencoe House was built by Lord Strathcona for his native american wife Isabella, a 4 storey, B-listed, imposing Victorian mansion, it was designed by Rowand Anderson and built in 1896 despite the proximity of Scotland's greatest slate quarry, Rowand Anderson preferred to indulge his penchant for polychromy, and the house was roofed with red clay tiles (replaced with local slate in the 1920s). The Strathcona Estate had grounds of about 130 acres, including the largest stretch of the River Coe; a half share of the historic Eilean Munde (traditional burial place of the McDonalds of Glencoe); The ruined Old Mill of Glencoe; the Crofters Common Grazings; the last remaining Ancient Woodlands of Glencoe; Fishing rights on Loch Triachtan; plus 8 miles of Salmon netting rights on Loch Leven.
The building was originally a family home then during the war, the house was converted into a war-time hospital in 1965 two wings were removed. Following the creation of the NHS it was used as a maternity hospital, cottage hospital and, most recently, as a facility for the care of the elderly. Allegedly the deeds of the building were gifted to the community, its still not known how the NHS acquired the deeds to the hospital?
It was considered by the NHS not to be cost effective to keep the care facility open, the community disagreed and fought for around 2 years to keep the hospital running they were keen to maintain the quality of care and the connection, local people being cared for by local carers. At one stage there was an opportunity for the community to buy the building and turn it into a wedding venue, cafe, community center or even an art gallery but for whatever reason the bid fell through. Some time in early 2009 the hospital closed with its remaining 3 patients transferred to a nearby nursing home. Its currently up for sale, price offers over £450,000 - get the wedge out, the closing date is 31st march 2011
Original building, before the wings were removed
Overlooking Loch Leven
Glencoe House was built by Lord Strathcona for his native american wife Isabella, a 4 storey, B-listed, imposing Victorian mansion, it was designed by Rowand Anderson and built in 1896 despite the proximity of Scotland's greatest slate quarry, Rowand Anderson preferred to indulge his penchant for polychromy, and the house was roofed with red clay tiles (replaced with local slate in the 1920s). The Strathcona Estate had grounds of about 130 acres, including the largest stretch of the River Coe; a half share of the historic Eilean Munde (traditional burial place of the McDonalds of Glencoe); The ruined Old Mill of Glencoe; the Crofters Common Grazings; the last remaining Ancient Woodlands of Glencoe; Fishing rights on Loch Triachtan; plus 8 miles of Salmon netting rights on Loch Leven.
The building was originally a family home then during the war, the house was converted into a war-time hospital in 1965 two wings were removed. Following the creation of the NHS it was used as a maternity hospital, cottage hospital and, most recently, as a facility for the care of the elderly. Allegedly the deeds of the building were gifted to the community, its still not known how the NHS acquired the deeds to the hospital?
It was considered by the NHS not to be cost effective to keep the care facility open, the community disagreed and fought for around 2 years to keep the hospital running they were keen to maintain the quality of care and the connection, local people being cared for by local carers. At one stage there was an opportunity for the community to buy the building and turn it into a wedding venue, cafe, community center or even an art gallery but for whatever reason the bid fell through. Some time in early 2009 the hospital closed with its remaining 3 patients transferred to a nearby nursing home. Its currently up for sale, price offers over £450,000 - get the wedge out, the closing date is 31st march 2011
Original building, before the wings were removed
Overlooking Loch Leven
