The Hidden Glasgow Forums

Schaw Convalescent Home is the most striking landmark in my immediate area. It is located in Drymen Road, Bearsden. It is built in the style of a Victorian country house and has its own grounds and gatehouse.

It was built in 1895 by Miss Schaw in memory of her father. It was part of Glasgow Royal Infimary, and presumably provided a place for patients to recuperate in the clean air and leafy environment of the suburbs. It closed in 1986, and became a private nursing home. Much of the grounds were sold off for housing. It is currently being converted into flats.



Tower detail:




Lettering above the front door:






The main tower:


Wing detail:


Gatehouse:


Plaque on gatepost:


Rear view:

Impressive place, impressive photos, ST.

I've always meant to go take some photos of that place. When did you take them? Did you just walk around or do you know someone there?

Josef wrote:Impressive place, impressive photos, ST.

Thanks Josef.

allyharp wrote:I've always meant to go take some photos of that place. When did you take them? Did you just walk around or do you know someone there?

I took them this week. The grounds are freely accessible from Drymen Road and Schaw Drive. The building itself is fenced, I took all the pictures from outside the fence. The fence boundary is at the top of the two flights of stairs in the first picture.

Lovely building.

It's a pity it isn't being kept for it's intended purpose.

I really hate these buildings being turned into "luxury apartments".

Fantastic pics ST. My mother used to work there when it went private.

Who was Miss Schaw?

Strike Team wrote:It was built in 1895 by Miss Schaw in memory of her father.

hmm a quote from my 3rd year geography project seems to contradict this:
"It was built by Miss Marjorie Shanks Schaw in 1895 in memory of her brother."
I've no idea where that information came from, but father is probably more likely.

The Dictionary of Scottish Architecture reckons it was built in memory of her father:

http://www.codexgeo.co.uk/dsa/building_full.php?id=M006660

I don't know any more about Miss Schaw.

Who was her father? Somebody Shaw..., the old provost of Glasgow, Sir Archibald McInnes Shaw perhaps?