Upper Strathearn Combination, Perthshire
The Upper Strathearn Combination was formed in 1863 and initially comprised the eleven parishes of Auchterarder, Blackford, Crieff, Dunning, Forgandenny, Forteviot, Fowlis-Wester, Gask, Madderty, Methven, and Trinity-Gask. They were later joined by Ardoch. Callander, Comrie, Kilmadock, Monivaird, and Muthil. The total population of the member parishes in 1881 was 27,337.
The Upper Strathearn Combination poorhouse was erected in 1863-4 on a site located to the south-west of Auchterarder. The architect was James Campbell Walker. The site location and layout are shown on the 1860s map below:
Upper Strathearn site, 1860s
A single-storey entrance block was located alongside the road at the north of the site. This probably contained the porter's quarters, a committee room, and possibly an office for the relieving officer. A stone plaque gives the date as 1863.
Upper Strathearn entrance block from the west, 2001.
© Peter Higginbotham.
The main building was a typical H-shaped layout. The larger block at the front was a corridor plan building with a central portion which would have contained the Master's quarters, committee rooms and clerk's office. The two wings of the front block contained male and female accommodation, probably with the aged at the front side and able-bodied or "dissolute" inmates at the rear. Children's quarters were usually placed at the far end of each wing.
Upper Strathearn main building from the north, 2001.
© Peter Higginbotham.
At the centre rear of the front block were the kitchen and the dining-hall which may also have been used as a chapel.
Upper Strathearn from the east, 2001.
© Peter Higginbotham.
In the rear range of single-storey buildings were found various work and utility rooms including a bakehouse on the men's side and laundry on the female side. An additional block was added later at the north-east corner of the buildings. Its function is unknown but it may have been an isolation block.
Upper Strathearn from the east, 2001.
© Peter Higginbotham.
After 1930, the poorhouse became known as the Strathearn Home. In 1946 it provided 71 beds including 14 chronic sick, 2 maternity, and 8 for certified mental cases, with the rest for destitute persons.
The former poorhouse building has now been converted for use as office accommodation.
Staff
Inmates
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.
- Perth and Kinross Council Archive, AK Bell Library, 2-8 York Place, Perth PH2 8EP. Holdings include: Poorhouse minutes (1861-1962); Registers of admissions (1884-93, 1924-47); Visitors' inspection book (1937-45); Treasurer's cash books (1877-1905).
Bibliography
- None.
Links
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