Gartloch Hospital

Gartloch Hospital is a complex of buildings displaying French Renaissance architectural elements, with a substantial central administration building flanked by extended patient wings on either side. The layout reflects the scale of a major medical facility, with the main structure dominating the grounds.

The facility opened in 1896 as Gartloch Asylum and operated continuously as a psychiatric hospital until its closure in 1996. It expanded its role during World War II to serve as an emergency medical center alongside its primary function.

The exterior served as the fictional St. Jude's Hospital in the 1993 BBC television series Takin' Over the Asylum. The building's visual identity became linked to popular culture through this television appearance.

The listed administration building remains in a derelict state but received planning approval in 2019 for conversion into twelve residential apartments. Access to the site may be limited due to its current condition and protected status.

At its peak, the facility operated over 800 beds across its grounds while maintaining a separate tuberculosis sanatorium within the same property. This dual operation shows how the complex functioned as a broader medical center beyond psychiatric care.

Location: Glasgow City

Inception: 1896

GPS coordinates: 55.87936,-4.10586

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:42