Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Introduction: Hospital complex, principally the former Oldmill Poor House, designed by Brown and Watt of Aberdeen in 1901 and opened for inmates on 14th and 21st May 1907. Some buildings have been added to the group over the years, notably the 1930s Nurses Home. Most blocks built of granite, with slated roofs and most glazing is original, sometimes decorative also.

MAIN BUILDING: which has huge symmetrical south front with decorative and prominent water tower set back from centre. Centre range 3 storeys and with U-plan front 2-storey canted windows in advanced outer gables, 3-bay inner part with openings recessed behind arcade at ground, windows above with pediments over. This range was to contain the poorhouse proper, administration and at rear the dining hall which could serve as a function room, with a gallery at one end, kitchens etc Aberdeen Daily Journal, 22.11.1901. Wings containing mens and womens wards respectively are plainer, 2 storeys, and articulated by series of projecting gables containing large windows, verandahs cover parts of ground floor; slated ogee-domed circular pavilions at outer angles, modern additions either end; ground floor windows mostly bipartite with single 1st floor windows above,these mostly small-paned sash and case in combination with top-hoppers (a characteristic) feature of some hospital buildings, allowing for different air-flow as appropriate to the weather. To rear, series of plain wings, also stair windows. Childrens ward adjoins to rear of female wing (ie at north east). Forecourt area defined by iron-railed boundary wall which has identical pair octagonal and conical-roofed open shelters/lodges. Approached originally from south (Queens Road: main entrance now on N) through long avenue.

Statement of Special Interest

The site chosen was that of the former boys' Reformatory (which was demolished) comprising 55 acres of land. Oldmill was constructed as a Poor Law institution, one of the last poorhouses in the country to have been built, and had provision in the first instance for 650 inmates plus staff and nurses' residences, with arrangements for accommodating more if necessary. Contracts for building were accepted by the Aberdeen City Parish Council in June 1902.

Compares in terms of general classification of patients, lay-out and in overall scale with Edinburgh's Craiglockhart and Glasgow's Govan (now Southern General), all built as poorhouses, though Oldmill (Woodend) had no special provision for the mentally ill.

Taken over, first during the Great War (from 24th May 1915 to 1st June 1919) as a military hospital; thereafter, the general and the special blocks were taken over by Aberdeen Town Council, that part opening in October 1927 as Woodend Municipal Hospital. The poorhouse element transferred to the Town Council as a result of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929, but as part of Public Assistance, not Public Health, as was the case with the hospital blocks: passed to NHS in 1948.

Provision of a nurses' residence represents fairly advanced planning for this date; it was: "erected in conformity with the modern idea that it is desirable to provide rest and recreation for nurses away from the scene of their daily avocations. Such homes are ordinary adjuncts of 'up-to-date' institutions of this kind..." (Aberdeen Daily Journal 30.3.1905). Though the reporter for the same newspaper had previously described such provision as "A notable feature..." (22.11.1901).

Besides construction of the viaduct, some technical aspects of the hospital are worth noting; eg an artesian well was sunk to a depth of 250 feet, to reduce costs of water rates, and there were about 2 miles of passages constructed for ventilation, lighting, heating etc.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.