The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
A dark history
She’s explored the crumbling buildings often, becoming increasingly despondent each time she picks her way through gaps in fences, or walks through doorways which have been wrenched open by vandals.
Aware many of the buildings are structurally unsafe, she’s keen to see security increased to ensure anyone accessing it doesn’t have an accident or loses their life.
Karen is campaigning to have the former chapel of rest – a listed building that is currently earmarked for demolition – transformed into a heritage centre.
“We’re left with four listed buildings and two cottages that should be developed into properties but the rest of the site, unfortunately, will be demolished,” she says.
“It would be reasonably low cost and quick to convert the chapel of rest into a heritage centre which would be fantastic. It would tell people about Strathmartine’s story and make sure we stay connected to its past.”
Karen has delved deep into the hospital’s history and has many shocking and heart-wrenching stories.
She said: “Some wards in the 1950s had ‘time-out’ rooms and Strathmartine in fact had a very strict time-out policy.
“These rooms were very small – no bigger than a large cupboard – and most had steel shutters and no windows. People were kept in a room with no windows, steel shutters and no light.”
Some residents were also placed in what they referred to as “tea boxes”.
“These were small wooden boxes that tea was delivered in,” explains Karen.
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say these boxes were smaller than coffins.”
Not everything that went on was bad – there were a lot of positive things about Strathmartine, too.
“People raised funds for extras for residents in the 1970s and that paid for a swimming pool, a playpark and a minibus so they could go on day trips and holidays,” says Karen.
“Staff cared and went the extra mile – they knew residents deserved better.”
Angus councillor Craig Fotheringham is concerned about the ongoing issues of fireraising and vandalism issues and is keen for work to progress on developing Strathmartine.