September 2024
The Visit
During a three-day tour of Scotland with @Mr Budge, I approached this visit with a sense of curiosity, having deliberately avoided any photos of the interior beforehand. Upon arriving at the almost deserted location, we took our time wandering around the exterior for about an hour before discovering an entrance. Once inside, we found ourselves immersed in the hospital's vast network of corridors branching out in all directions. The structure is a sizable, two-storey building designed in a symmetrical, elongated 'T' shape. Former male and female ward blocks stretch to the east and west, complemented by 'H' plan double-gabled end pavilions. The building features a weathered base course that slopes inward up to the window sills. It boasts round and segmental-arched windows adorned with key-stoned hood-mouldings. The eaves are lined with moulded cast iron rhones supported by decorative brackets, interrupted by wall-head gables. Following a fire in 1888, the central block was slightly extended to the south, and between 1912 and 1914, two small advanced wings with pedimented dormers were added to either side of the north elevation. The windows comprise a mix of timber sash and case along with uPVC replacements, all showcasing various multi-pane glazing patterns. Some chimney stacks and ornamental timber ventilators remain intact at the roof pitch and gable ends. We dedicated around 2-3 hours to thoroughly explore the hospital, ensuring we didn’t miss a single detail.
The History
Stratheden Hospital, originally established as the Fife and Kinross District Asylum on July 1, 1866, was designed to offer mental health care for up to 200 individuals. Sir John Batty Tuke, the first chief physician, sought to revolutionize treatment by implementing an “open door” policy, a progressive approach that his successors upheld. This forward-thinking strategy proved effective, earning Stratheden a reputation as one of Scotland's premier mental health facilities for many years. In 1896, an expansion initiative began, aiming to boost the hospital's capacity to 600 patients, culminating in the addition of two new wings in 1905. A significant development occurred in the 1960s with the establishment of a “Child and Family Psychiatry” department, designed to support children, adolescents, and their families. This commitment to family care was further enhanced in 1975 with the opening of two dedicated inpatient buildings. Following the NHS Act of 1947, the Fife and Kinross District Asylum underwent reorganization under new management, adopting the name Stratheden Hospital shortly thereafter. Today, the Victorian section of Stratheden stands abandoned and off-limits to the public, while the newer facilities remain operational. The site is still home to patients, nurses, and visitors, making access challenging. Within the vacant buildings, remnants of patient artwork can be discovered, alongside the unsettling sight of numerous dead birds scattered throughout the rooms and hallways.
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Continued........
Cheers for looking 
Fujifilm X-T2, 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR (Velvia)
Fujifilm X-T2, 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR (Velvia)
