The hospital has its origins in a general dispensary in central Paisley which opened in 1786 and became a house of recovery in 1805. A new facility financed by William Barbour and designed by Thomas Graham Abercrombie was completed at Calside in July 1896.
In the early 1980s it was decided to create a modern hospital on the site of the old Riccartsbar Hospital in Craw Road and the new facility was officially opened by Princess Alexandra in May 1988 meaning the old establishment would close its doors as an Infirmary.
Part of the main range of the old Infirmary was then used as a care home, the rest was converted into flats in about 1995. The former nurses’ home was converted into flats in 2005-6. After the care home closed in about 2008, this part of the former Infirmary began to deteriorate and was placed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland in 2010.
The explore
I got there early under the cover of darkness to avoid any keen eyes from the wing of the building that is now flats, which I think shows in a few shots with the dawn of a cloudy/murky day. The building has really suffered and a large section of the roof has collapsed on one of the top floor corridors, making this building a bit of a risk in places. I did also notice that one of the ground floor areas had flashing lights so there are alarms in place, however I avoided that area of the building.
I found the building really beautiful in places, despite the destruction, and had fun walking about. For me, this building was a must before it becomes a total no go for safety or development and I'm really happy I got in. I've attached a lot of pics, hopefully not too many haha!
Hope you enjoy and thank you for reading
In the early 1980s it was decided to create a modern hospital on the site of the old Riccartsbar Hospital in Craw Road and the new facility was officially opened by Princess Alexandra in May 1988 meaning the old establishment would close its doors as an Infirmary.
Part of the main range of the old Infirmary was then used as a care home, the rest was converted into flats in about 1995. The former nurses’ home was converted into flats in 2005-6. After the care home closed in about 2008, this part of the former Infirmary began to deteriorate and was placed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland in 2010.
The explore
I got there early under the cover of darkness to avoid any keen eyes from the wing of the building that is now flats, which I think shows in a few shots with the dawn of a cloudy/murky day. The building has really suffered and a large section of the roof has collapsed on one of the top floor corridors, making this building a bit of a risk in places. I did also notice that one of the ground floor areas had flashing lights so there are alarms in place, however I avoided that area of the building.
I found the building really beautiful in places, despite the destruction, and had fun walking about. For me, this building was a must before it becomes a total no go for safety or development and I'm really happy I got in. I've attached a lot of pics, hopefully not too many haha!
Hope you enjoy and thank you for reading
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