Building record MAB38424 - LITTLE CAIRNIE HOSPITAL, ARBROATH

Former infectious diseases hospital, now disused and largely demolished.

Former infectious diseases hospital, now disused and largely demolished. A fever hospital was established by Arbroath Burgh in circa 1870, and in 1899 a competition was held for a new hospital. It was won by architect Hugh Gavin of Arbroath, and the hospital was completed in June 1903. An additional wing was added around the 1920s, and in 1950 the hospital was converted for geriatric patients. The additional wing was demolished in 1992. The 2nd edition OS map from 1901 shows four roofless buildings, presumably under construction. There is an L-plan building to the South of the group, with three rectangular buildings to the North, with front and rear projections and extensions to the ends. The 1921 OS map shows the finished hospital complex, which is within a wood-lined enclosure. The buildings shown on the earlier map remain as shown, but there have been several additions. There is a U-plan building open to the North-West, and four more rectangular buildings within the group. To the South-East is a gatelodge. The later wing is situated to the North-East of the enclosure, and is a large T-plan building. It was probably a wing for TB patients. The buildings are constructed from red squared rubble, with slate roofs that are all piended, apart from the gatelodge that is gabled. They are enclosed by a coped wall, constructed from the same red squared rubble as the hospital buildings. The entrance is flanked by tall square ashlar gateposts, with panelled front elevations and pyramidal caps. In early 2015, the last two patients were discharged, and in 2016 the site was put up for sale. All but the administration building were demolished sometime after 2015 by NHS Estates. It is also known as Hercules Den. A Level 1 Standing Building Survey of the remaining administration building was carried out by Cameron Archaeology in January 2018 prior to proposed demolition. The building was recorded as being two-storey and L-plan, and constructed of sandstone blocks and rubble with rusticated a sandstone base course along the north-west and south-west walls, and has four phases of construction.

Period Notes
Built in 1903, with an addition in circa 1920s. Additional wing demolished after 1992. The last patients were discharged in 2015, and the site put up for sale in 2016.

CAMERON ARCHAEOLOGY, 2018, LITTLE CAIRNIE HOSPITAL, FORFAR ROAD, ARBROATH: REPORT ON LEVEL 1 STANDING BUILDING SURVEY, L1 SBS (Bibliographic reference). SAB6869.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2019, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 19, 2018, p. 21 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6524.

Record last edited

Jun 11 2019 1:57PM