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Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
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Basic Site Details
Name
Elgin Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Bilbohall
Town, District or Village
Elgin
Parish
City or County
Morayshire
Status
Demolished
Country
Scotland
Grid Ref
Grid Ref N
Grid Ref E
Notes
The earliest asylum built specifically for paupers in Scotland.
Constructed for the adjacent Dr Gray\'s Hospital.
Partly demolished; only central block and one wing remain.
Alternative Names
The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
Alt classic
Name
Current Name
Notes
Bilbohall Hospital
Yes
Elgin District Asylum
from 1859
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Building Type Classification
The building is classified under the following categories:
Class classic
Classification
Original Classification
Notes
Psychiatric hospital
Not Known
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Events
The following date-based events are associated with this building:
event classic
Event Type
From
To
Notes
Plans prepared, construction not yet begun
1832
Build/construction
1834
1835
1850
Additions: raised from two to three storeys
1863
1866
Radical reconstruction and enlargement
188
Addition of third storey to wings
Contracts advertised
1909
Additions: open verandah and bathroom extension
Destruction/demolition
1992
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People
Design and Construction
The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
design classic
Person
Partnership Group
Role
From
To
Notes
Archibald Simpson
1832
1835
A & W Reid
A
1850
Additions: raised from two to three storeys
Alexander Reid
A
1850
Additions: raised from two to three storeys
William Reid
A
1850
Additions: raised from two to three storeys
A & W Reid
B
1863
1866
Radical reconstruction and enlargement
Alexander Reid
B
1863
1866
Radical reconstruction and enlargement
William Reid
B
1863
1866
Radical reconstruction and enlargement
John Wittet
1909
Additions: open verandah and bathroom extension
row(s) 1 - 8 of 8
Related Buildings, Structures and Designs
References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this building:
bio ref classic
Author
Year
Title
Part
Publisher
Notes
Darragh, Alison
2011
Prison or Palace? Heaven or Hell? An architectural and social study of the development of public lunatic asylums in Scot
Unpublished PhD thesis, University of St Andrews
vol 1, pp 72, 180vol 3, pp 72-4
Richardson, Harriet
n.d.
Scottish Hospitals Survey
Unpublished typescript (copy in DMW Archive)
Walker, David W and Woodworth, Matthew
2015
The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire North and Moray
Yale University Press
p590
row(s) 1 - 3 of 3
Periodical References
The following periodicals contain references to this building:
period ref classic
Periodical Name
Date
Edition
Publisher
Notes
Aberdeen Journal
1863/12/30
*
Elgin Courier
1840/03/22
*
Elgin Courier
1850/03/15
*
Builder
1909/02/06
p162 - contracts open for additions
Elgin Courier
1850/03/08
*
row(s) 1 - 5 of 5
Archive References
The following archives hold material relating to this building:
arc ref classic
Source
Name
Cat Number
Item Name
Notes
Elgin Local History Library
Plans collection
Grampian Health Board
Grampian Health Board Archives
GHRB 46/1/1
Minutes of the Elgin Lunacy Board
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