When everyone talks about a derp being torched where you live or grew up, you kinda take note. But when you have been there before years and years ago and hear it has been torched... and again... FFS! And when you happen to be passing and see the flame fucked roof... time to uncheck that from google maps. So after a couple of beers with the old man: "Not as much of Strathmartine was torched as you think you know..." Cheers Dad! It turns out there was much more to this place than I knew about!
I'm glad I took a punt on this. I could only get inside the two buildings that were torched, and it wasn't that bad inside as I'd first thought. It was really bad don't get me wrong, but we have all been in worse places that have naturally decayed. Concrete doesn't melt thankfully!
This hospital was just a mess, seeing flame and smoke damaged peely paint was cool but finding the source of one of the fires wasn't. A smokey and tagged up shadow of its former self, it was nice to be back but left me wishing I had a camera all those years ago. I spent a lot of the time tiptoeing over damaged floors, I saw more than I photographed, but I only snapped the bits that were worth it to me.
History:
"Baldovan Institution was founded in 1852, mainly through the benevolence of Sir John and Lady Jane Ogilvy and from voluntary contributions and fees. It was established on the north bank of the Dighty as an orphanage, hospital and place of education and training for ‘imbecile’ children, accommodating 30 children. As such it was the first hospital of its kind in Scotland and the second in Britain. The Orphanage opened on 30th November 1854 and the Asylum opened on 6th January 1855.
In 1856 its name was changed to Baldovan Asylum and it expanded its operations after it received its licence under the Lunacy Act of 1858, which legalised its function as a home for children. It was found that contact with 'imbeciles' had a detrimental effect upon the orphans and so in 1867 the Orphanage moved to other premises and the Baldovan Asylum concentrated its efforts on the care and education of mentally handicapped children. By 1879 the number of children accommodated at the Asylum had increased to 70 and the site where the Administrative block now stands was acquired. By 1904 the Main Building wards were built and occupied by 160 children.
The Mental Deficiency (Scotland) Act was passed in 1913, providing state supervision of mental defectives, which led to an increased demand for accommodation at Institutions like Baldovan. Between 1904 and 1932 further developments included another ward, staff residency, school facilities, a large Recreation Hall as well as occupational therapy and training in domestic, farm and garden work.
In 1925 the Baldovan Institution Confirmation Act sanctioned the trustees to form an Incorporation with the counties of Aberdeen, Forfar (Angus), Kincardine and Perth to undertake the management of the hospital with provision for children of all four counties.
In 1948 the running of the Hospital was transferred to the National Health Service. Subsequent developments included a change of name in 1959 to Strathmartine Hospital and major building works in 1963-1965, which saw the demolition of the original premises and the creation of new and improved facilities, including three new single story wards and a swimming pool. Two new 25 bed wards were opened in 1980."
Closure began in 2002. By 2004 the police and the fire brigade were using the site as a training ground.
Pics:
Thanks for looking!
I'm glad I took a punt on this. I could only get inside the two buildings that were torched, and it wasn't that bad inside as I'd first thought. It was really bad don't get me wrong, but we have all been in worse places that have naturally decayed. Concrete doesn't melt thankfully!
This hospital was just a mess, seeing flame and smoke damaged peely paint was cool but finding the source of one of the fires wasn't. A smokey and tagged up shadow of its former self, it was nice to be back but left me wishing I had a camera all those years ago. I spent a lot of the time tiptoeing over damaged floors, I saw more than I photographed, but I only snapped the bits that were worth it to me.
History:
"Baldovan Institution was founded in 1852, mainly through the benevolence of Sir John and Lady Jane Ogilvy and from voluntary contributions and fees. It was established on the north bank of the Dighty as an orphanage, hospital and place of education and training for ‘imbecile’ children, accommodating 30 children. As such it was the first hospital of its kind in Scotland and the second in Britain. The Orphanage opened on 30th November 1854 and the Asylum opened on 6th January 1855.
In 1856 its name was changed to Baldovan Asylum and it expanded its operations after it received its licence under the Lunacy Act of 1858, which legalised its function as a home for children. It was found that contact with 'imbeciles' had a detrimental effect upon the orphans and so in 1867 the Orphanage moved to other premises and the Baldovan Asylum concentrated its efforts on the care and education of mentally handicapped children. By 1879 the number of children accommodated at the Asylum had increased to 70 and the site where the Administrative block now stands was acquired. By 1904 the Main Building wards were built and occupied by 160 children.
The Mental Deficiency (Scotland) Act was passed in 1913, providing state supervision of mental defectives, which led to an increased demand for accommodation at Institutions like Baldovan. Between 1904 and 1932 further developments included another ward, staff residency, school facilities, a large Recreation Hall as well as occupational therapy and training in domestic, farm and garden work.
In 1925 the Baldovan Institution Confirmation Act sanctioned the trustees to form an Incorporation with the counties of Aberdeen, Forfar (Angus), Kincardine and Perth to undertake the management of the hospital with provision for children of all four counties.
In 1948 the running of the Hospital was transferred to the National Health Service. Subsequent developments included a change of name in 1959 to Strathmartine Hospital and major building works in 1963-1965, which saw the demolition of the original premises and the creation of new and improved facilities, including three new single story wards and a swimming pool. Two new 25 bed wards were opened in 1980."
Closure began in 2002. By 2004 the police and the fire brigade were using the site as a training ground.
Pics:
Thanks for looking!
