TOR-NA-DEE HOSPITAL

TOR-NA-DEE was built in 1899 in the ‘healthy and bracing’ climate of Murtle as the Deeside Hydropathic. Its owner, the Rev Dr Alexander Stewart, was a bearded theologian and father of ten. After his death it was bought by an Aberdeen consortium backed by the Red Cross, converted, and re opened in 1918 as the Tor-na Dee Sanitorium. At first it was reserved for officers and nurses returning from the war with tuberculosis. Treatment then was based on bed-rest, fresh air and contentment of mind, together with cod-liver oil, collapse of affected parts of the lung and graduated exercise.

The 72-bed sanatorium was ruled with a firm hand. To quote the Patients’ Handbook of 1941: Bedroom windows to be opened to their full extent at night. Aberdeen out of bounds and local hotels not to be visited. Cards and draughts may be played, with the sanction of the Medical Staff. Smoking should either ‘be stopped or severely rationed’ (yet tobacco and cigarettes were sold at the shop which patients were asked to patronise). Lights out at 10.30 pm. Terms: 7 guineas a week. The beautiful 325-acres grounds gave space for a putting-green, gentle walks and vegetable garden, which supplied the kitchen, and the wildlife!

After the second war, it was taken over by the Red Cross and on 1st April 1955 , it passed

to the NHS. As TB declined, it came to care for all chest diseases. Special arrangements with the University allowed student patients to be visited by their tutors and take exams at the sanatorium. Dr Douglas Kay, then Physician! Superintendent, recalls some interesting times. During the typhoid epidemic of 1964, he was given 48 hours to relocate all the chest patients to make way for over 100 typhoid victims. A well-known personality was the Chef, Miss Janet Murray, who was also a broadcaster and historian. Miss Jean Duncan, the Matron, served on the MBC news and the Community Council for several years after retiral.

In 1977, Roxburghe House was built in the grounds as a cancer hospice. By this time, Tor-na Dee had started to accommodate convalescent patients. Between 1985 and 1988 it was upgraded radically to become the 60-bed convalescent hospital it is today, with single rooms, excellent facilities and admirably skilled, dedicated staff. The people of Lower Deeside look on Tor-na-Dee with affection and pride. Recently, financial problems within the NHS have led to some anxiety concerning its future. However, a spokeman for the Aberdeen Royal Hospitals Trust was reported in October as saying there is no plan to close the hospital. Long may it be so!

Robin Kay

Editor: I am indebted to Mr Robin Kay, a member of Militimber! Bieldside! Cults Community Council, for the above article, which was printed in MBC News No 93 (Winter ‘96) When I read it, I thought many Culter folk would be interested in it too. My thanks to Mr Kay for giving his permission for it to be printed in our Courier.

This was printed in a previous Courier a few years ago when rumours first started that Tor-Na-Dee was to be closed. As we all know, the deed has been done and it remains to be seen what exactly will happen to the building - and the surrounding grounds, which gave much pleasure to so many recuperating patients.

The local press has printed certain proposals that have come up but from past experience, we must wait and see - and hope!