Details |
Former water tank and workshops of the former Sunnyside Hospital complex (NO76SW0063), which ceased to be used as a hospital site in 2012. Built circa 1855-7 with later additions. Single-storey and attic, 5-bay, symmetrical, workshop complex in plain Jacobean style with an integral, central 2-stage machicolated water-tower to the south elevation, forming a courtyard. Coursed red sandstone to the south elevation, coursed polychromatic sandstone to the tower with ashlar margins and a band course, rubble to the other elevations, with a rubble base course, raised margins and quoins. Some segmental-arched window openings, flat-roofed and gabled dormers and a later top stage to the tower. The symmetrical south elevation has a slightly advanced tower to the centre with a recessed, moulded, round-arched doorway which is partially in-filled. A pair of slim round-arched windows are in the recessed panel to the first floor, a machicolated cornice above and a later top floor. Flanking 2-bay sections have shouldered, corbelled dormers breaking the wallhead. The outer bays have bipartite window openings with stone mullions to the ground floor and corniced, flat-roofed dormers above. The asymmetrical east elevation is 6-bay. There are some multi-pane and single-pane timber sash and case windows, others are boarded. The slated roof has raised skews, gable and ridge stacks and cast-iron rainwater goods with some decorative hoppers. The rectangular courtyard has a segmental-arched opening leading to a pend under the tower and some timber boarded doors. The interior (partially seen 2012) has some original rooms intact, with simple cornicing, some timber boarding and a staircase with barley-sugar twist balusters and a timber handrail. This ancillary building is one of the original buildings on the site and adds significantly to the wider complex of Sunnyside Hospital. This functional building displays some architectural detailing in the shouldered, gabled dormers, and the distinctive corbelled cornice to the water-tower. The structure was built to provide water for the hospital and also to provide workshop space and housing, all of which helped the site to be as self-sufficient as possible. Latterly, there were tailor, plumber, and carpentry workshops. The top stage of the tower is a later addition and may have replaced the original tank. Sunnyside Asylum developed in the 19th century as a replacement for the first lunatic asylum in Scotland at Montrose. The former hospital consisted of a related group of buildings, informally set in a semi-parkland setting on a hillside overlooking Montrose. The site is significant in remaining largely intact and retaining the integrity of a self-contained psychiatric hospital. Standing building survey was carried out in 2018 ahead of redevelopment of the hospital site.
|