Craiglockhart Hydropathic

Craiglockhart Hydropathic is a large building with an H-shaped floor plan and yellow sandstone walls featuring Italianate details from the 1880s. The structure has a prominent central tower and four stories on each side.

The building opened in 1880 and began serving as a military psychiatric hospital in 1916. Officers recovering from psychological injuries sustained during World War I received treatment there until 1919.

The building became a place where writers and thinkers gathered during their recovery, creating meaningful connections that shaped their work. The rooms and surroundings inspired creative output that continues to be remembered in literary circles today.

The building is now part of Edinburgh Napier University's campus and can be viewed from the outside. Its exterior has been preserved while the interior has been adapted for educational use.

Wilfred Owen edited a patient magazine called The Hydra while staying here, publishing poems written by fellow patients. This publication captured the creative energy of people working through their recovery.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

GPS coordinates: 55.91790,-3.23967

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:56