Ross-shire hospitals to come under spotlight at Cromarty History Society talk
THE fascinating history of pre-NHS hospitals in Ross and Cromarty will come under the spotlight at a talk on the Black Isle this month.
On September 17, Cromarty History Society will be hosting a talk from Jim and Steve Leslie.
They produced a book called The Hospitals of Ross and Cromarty. It contains a detailed history of hospitals in Dingwall, Cromarty, Maryburgh, Strathpeffer and Invergordon as well as poorhouses near Fortrose and Tain.
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The Ross Memorial is still in use today, having been taken over by the NHS in 1948.
In early 2008, Steve and Jim started to study the history of Highland hospitals. With the help of a small group of prominent individuals they were awarded grants from NHS Highland Research & Development and UHI Centre for History for a pilot project.
In 2010, the authors produced a report documenting the origins and history of over 60 Highland establishments to become the first comprehensive account of the history of Highland hospitals.
Since then several A5 books have been published with updated and more focused local information.
On September 17, Steve will present data from Jim’s extensive research from the archives. This will cover the major hospitals in Dingwall, Strathpeffer and Cromarty, but will also cover wider aspects of healthcare.
Steve will also report on a poster exhibition at the Ross Memorial Hospital and Dingwall Museum and the latest development, an audio tour of the hospitals sites in Old Inverness which can be accessed by computer or mobile phone at Geotourist https://geotourist.com.
More details about the project and other information can be found at http://www.historyofhighlandhospitals.com.
Jim was head of geography at Nairn Academy until 1991 when he was appointed advisor in social subjects for Highland Council and some years later, an education manager in Ross and Cromarty.
Steve has been a consultant cardiologist in NHS Highland since 2006. He has an honorary visiting professorship at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
The lecture will be at 7.30pm in the Victoria Hall, Cromarty and the fee is £5 or £15 for eight lectures on different local history subjects between September and April 2025. Visitors are very welcome.
