Schaw House, Drymen Road, Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire
These premises are listed “B”, but as Schaw Convalescent Home, referring to its original purpose. The Schaw family had it built in the 19th century and gifted it to Glasgow. It was attached to the city's Royal Infirmary in 1895. By World War II it was used as an overflow facility for patients requiring urgent attention. Until recently it was a nursing home. It is now a complex of 23 flats and terraces.
Its listing text describes it as a Large "Tudor Gothic" range with pavilion ends dominated by a centre tower. That grand symmetry confounds a more sprawling layout of the premises. There are 2 storey plus attics, ashlar, slate roofs, pedimented gablets
with finials and weathervanes. Splayed bays to pavilions, large oriel linking 2nd and 3rd floors of tower. The architect was James Thomson of Baird & Thomson.
Many of you may recognise it from seeing it mysteriously peering from above trees and more contemporary housing. It reminds us of a church or a posh school rather than a hospital.
My photograph shows the main façade from one of the wings looking up towards the central tower.
Urban Realm website : http://www.urbanrealm.com/buildings/181/Schaw_House.html
British Listed Buildings : http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200357599-bearsden-drymen-road-schaw-convalescent-home-bearsden#.WOkuwqFrjIU
Scottish Architects website : http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=200758
