Baldoven Asylum (Strathmartine) - Dundee - June 2009

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Baldovan Asylum

“Following the original mooting of the idea in 1852, the Baldovan Hospital was established in Jan 1855 as an orphanage, hospital and place of education and training for 'imbecile' children, the first of its kind in Scotland, second in Britain. Funded mainly from the benevolence of Sir John and Lady Jane Ogilvy, voluntary contributions and fees. In 1856 name changed to Baldovan Asylum, in 1858 licenced under the Luancy Act. In 1867 the orphanage moved and the Asylum concentrated on care and education of handicapped children. It expanded physically in 1901 with new buildings and in 1925 the trustees formed an incorporation with the countries of Aberdeen, Angus, Kincardine and Perth to manage the hospital and provide for children of all 4 counties. Transferred to NHS in 1948”

Arriving here with little pre-conceptions as to what I may find I was pleasantly suprised. Although seriously trashed in places, remarkably not in others. I spent not nearly enough time here and a re-visit is certain.

The site is quite large - below I have circled the buildings I looked on this explore.

A bit of a re-occuring theme - completely devastated main hall

Corridors and stair shots

this is all that remains of the medical files room

Patients bed space area - rows of these in large wards

this looked like the main refrectory and even so trashed now childrens drawings still cling on adorning the wall reminding me that this was a childrens asylum

Sitting still as seems on its last stitch

The floor shovel still sitting proudly as to where it was left in the corner many years ago

A brief external view of further along the campus

the exterior of the main hall - hardly a slate left

A poignant farewell on a staff locker

thanks for looking