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St. Nicholas Street, Aberdeen. 1898
363 This image taken in 1898, shows two prominent Aberdeen citizens crossing St. Nicholas Street under the watchful gaze of a statue of Queen Victoria. The building behind them was then the Town and County (now Clydesdale) Bank. These two individuals were lifelong friends and both came from a poor background, however their industry and intelligence, combined with self education led to their successful careers. William Cadenhead on the left began work in a thread factory but later became a traveller for a wine and spirit merchant, eventually succeeding to the business. He died on 11th December 1904 aged 85. William Carnie on the right was apprenticed as an engraver, but his ambition to write for newspapers was fulfilled when he began on the North of Scotland Gazette. However in 1861, he was appointed as Clerk and Treasurer of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the Royal Lunatic Asylum. After his retirement he wrote three volumes entitled Reporting Reminiscences covering the period 1850 - 1876, recollecting local events and people he knew. He died on 2nd January 1908 aged 83. Wellwood, Pitfodels
1063 This beautiful mansion house in its 15 acre grounds is situated about 3 miles from Aberdeen and is set back from the North Deeside Road at Pitfodels. It was the home of George Davidson of G &W Davidson, merchants, rope and twine manufacturers but was purchased by Aberdeen Royal Mental Asylum in August 1930 and opened as a private nursing home for the treatment of early nervous and mental disorders. In 1964, it became part of the neighbouring Woodlands Home providing accommodation and care for mentally handicapped adults who might be successful in finding employment in the community. It became a day centre for adults with physical or learning difficulties, but planning permission for housing was granted in 2003. Guest treasure: Aberdeen Royal Lunatic Asylum Lunacy Forms
271 This month's Guest Treasure was kindly selected by NHS Grampian Archives who hold fascinating and varied collections of historical health records from across the North East of Scotland.
Aberdeen Royal Lunatic Asylum has changed a lot since it opened in 1800, as has the way in which patients were admitted. Following the passing of the Lunacy (Scotland) Act in 1857, people who were being admitted had to have been assessed by two different doctors who would set out why that person's symptoms merited admission to the Asylum. These were recorded on Medical Certificates - or 'Lunacy Forms' as they are called in these volumes.
The forms give background information on the patient - their name, age, address, next of kin and so on, before recording the two doctor's statements. Supporting case notes also survive, which give further information on the individual patients, but there are also surviving annual reports which can be found in Aberdeen Central Library. These detail the changes which happened in the hospital each year, give statistics on the number of patients admitted, and provide information on how well the hospital was being run.
View the Lunacy forms in greater detail on our touchscreens. Royal Lunatic Asylum - Elmhill House
525 A plan of the main floor of the proposed building designed by architect William Ramage (1819-1866) as an extension for Aberdeen's Royal Lunatic Asylum. The building became known as Elmhill House and was completed in 1866.
This ground plan, marked as no. 11, illustrated the Interim report to the managers of the Royal Infirmary and Lunatic Asylum of Aberdeen (1858). A copy of this pamphlet is held in the Local Studies collection of Aberdeen City Libraries. The interim report primarily consists of text by Ramage outlining his amended plans for the building. The amendments were informed by his visits, alongside a Dr. Jamieson, to "several of the most important Asylums in the Kingdom".
Ramage refers to an accompanying set of four plans. The interim report only features this plan and a sketch of the main elevation. The comments from the committee, that introduce and follow Ramage's report, written by convener David McHardy, indicate that the two illustrations from the pamphlet were drawn up at the committee's request and are separate from those plans mentioned by Ramage.
Elmhill House was designed by Ramage in an Italian villa style with an E-plan layout, as shown here. The building had three storeys above ground and a basement. The entry on Aberdeen City's Historic Environment Record indicates it was built to alleviate overcrowding at the main Royal Lunatic Asylum buildings at Cornhill. It was intended to be for the care of private patients able to pay a guinea a week or more.
The above site also explains that the building was badly damaged by bombing in World War 2. Though much of the Elmhill House can still be seen at the time of writing in 2023. The building appears to be in use as private housing.
The accompanying description in the interim report indicates that this plan contains "accommodation suitable for sixty-six patients of both sexes." We can also see facilities for a superintendent, a matron, pantries, dining rooms, day rooms, baths, toilets and a large hall. |