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View Full Version : Request: Errol Lunatic Asylum, Perthshire?



Erstlaub
08-09-2009, 06:07 PM
Not sure if this is suitable here or not, mods, please feel free to put this wherever suits (if anywhere).

From actually getting a far more focused interest in exploration and history as a pastime lately, I've been thinking about a few long gone sites locally and a discussion with someone reminded me of the fact that there used to be an asylum over Errol way.

I was just really interested to see if anyone from this neck of the woods had any info, old pics or other details about the site etc. I reckon it must have been empty at least 20 years ago (on my brother in law's account of having been to survey it - or at least poke around it).

Struggling to even find any local info on it, maybe it didn't exist after all and was just the construct of a fragile mind?

foz101
08-09-2009, 07:30 PM
Doesn't ring a bell with me. There was Hillside Hospital (http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=56.390324&lon=-3.419433&z=18.3&r=0&src=msl) at that side of Perth and Murthly Asylum (http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=56.531473&lon=-3.464013&z=17.6&r=0&src=msl) further north. And Bridge of Earn Hospital (http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=56.347483&lon=-3.389323&z=17.1&r=0&src=msl).

They've all gone now now before you get in the car :D

Cuban Bloodhound
08-09-2009, 08:21 PM
There were no asylums near Errol. What did you hear about it?

Erstlaub
08-09-2009, 08:28 PM
Weird, I was sure it was Errol neck of the woods that we were talking about, maybe it was Murthly after all, my brother in law mentioned going to an asylum when he was a trainee architect and I was fairly sure I had at the back of my mind some recollection of one thereabouts.

I'll need to ask him again next time i see him.

Quite depressingly, I passed the site of Hillside on the train yesterday and had a good old lament about never having manned up and done it before it came down. Remembering BoE also, that's where I got my Tonsils out when I was a nipper.

Cuban Bloodhound
08-09-2009, 08:43 PM
If it was in Perthshire it'd either be Murthly Asylum (http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/79587/digital_images/murthly+hospital/) or the Murray Royal Asylum.

Winchester
08-09-2009, 09:07 PM
Could it have been a private facility?

Erstlaub
08-09-2009, 09:33 PM
From my recollection of his description, I'm tempted to say it may well have been Murthly, we were sort of pissed at the time and it would have been 20ish years ago he was recalling.

Thanks for the input on this one chaps. Murthly looks like it was a beezer aswell, pity it was before my time.

wolfism
08-09-2009, 10:45 PM
Definitely no asylum at Errol – the Carse was served by Royal Liff Asylum by Dundee, and Murray Royal Asylum in Perth. There was a small medical facility at RAF Errol, but not enough to warrant being called "hospital".

You're right, Murthly would have been interesting to explore – it has a beautiful setting – nothing substantial left unconverted there now, though. ;)

Bridge of Earn (or Oudenard as it was also known) was of a similar ilk to Law, Stracathro and Killearn – none of which can be recommended wholeheartedly at the moment (demo, CCTV and shotguns). It was a depressing place, imho.

Cuban Bloodhound
08-09-2009, 10:47 PM
How much of Murthly was converted and is still standing? I thought it had all been flattened.

S8
08-09-2009, 10:48 PM
Shotguns? errr....

wolfism
08-09-2009, 10:49 PM
The main admin block was converted – still quite a handsome building – and a couple of utility buildings are still there, as is the main quadrangle in front of admin. The road system is still in place too, as are some interesting things in the grounds (an airing court shelter, from memory).

ps – Farmer Giles at Killearn doesn't like visitors, so he discourages them with his 12-bore.

skin
08-09-2009, 11:05 PM
Farmer Giles at Killearn doesn't like visitors, so he discourages them with his 12-bore.


And Killearn is basically part of his farm now where he pens sheep - and he hates visitors - even ones that are supposed to be there!!

Is there anything left at all at Bridge of Earn?

Cuban Bloodhound
08-09-2009, 11:23 PM
Yep, you're not expecting sheep, chickens, and horses rushing around inside a derelict hospital as you try and stealth in :p

foz101
08-09-2009, 11:39 PM
Bridge of Earn is all gone, nothing but the odd bit of flat concrete driveway.

I have Murthly video to post shortly, not much to see though. Will pop it here in a bit if I can.

I always forget about the Murray Royal. I see they had a couple of escapees a few weeks ago lol.

foz101
09-09-2009, 12:12 AM
Here it is, all 18 seconds of it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by6tKZiIjv8

The sweep from left to right is as if you were looking at the front of the main asylum building. It was filmed from here - http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=56.529707&lon=-3.46307&z=18.2&r=0&src=msl and you can see the building we were next to to get your bearings.

Erstlaub
09-09-2009, 01:29 PM
Yeah, I can see it most days from where I live. I reckon I might just live there and do rolling reports if it ever does close. Although, if it does, I guess Perth will be filled with some pretty scary people (more so than usual!)

Balls, this (http://www.bgk.org.uk/150.html) might have been a handy meeting to try and get some intel from.

Cuban Bloodhound
09-09-2009, 06:07 PM
They're building a medium secure unit at the Murray Royal soon, so some of the not quite so dangerous patients at the State Hospital will be sent there.

wolfism
09-09-2009, 08:03 PM
Or rather, the more dangerous prisoners from Perth Prison who need psychiatric treatment won't have to travel so far …

Cuban Bloodhound
09-09-2009, 09:03 PM
Well it'll mean the place'll be covered by dome cameras like Leverndale. I'm sure after they demo'd the old blocks at Carstairs they never replaced the capacity.