The Hospitals of Inverness : Their origin and development 1650–2000

Jim & Steve Leslie

The Cromarty History Society is delighted to welcome back father and son, Jim & Steve Leslie to share more of their research on the History of Highland Hospitals with a focus on Inverness. This will include a look at the establishment and development of the Northern Infirmary (later the RNI), the Inverness poorhouse (including Dunbar’s Hospital), the Citadel and Culduthel fever hospitals, the Forbes Dispensary, the Bona Convalescent Home and various military hospitals, culminating in the establishment of Raigmore Hospital. The development of these institutions will be considered in the context of the evolving social conditions and advances in medical science. Jim and Steve’s project began in 2008 with a 2 year research programme supported by the NHS Endowment Fund and the Centre for History at the UHI. Their work culminated in a report documenting the history of over 60 Highland Hospitals, many of them long forgotten and some with no existing records. Since then, more have also been discovered!

Jim Leslie was Head of Geography at Nairn Academy until 1991 when he was appointed Adviser in Social Subjects for Highland Council and, some years later, Education Officer in Ross and Cromarty. He is now semi-retired working in administration and in historical research, documenting the history and development of Highland hospitals. Steve Leslie is Consultant Cardiologist and Associate Director of Research, Development & Innovation with NHS Highlands. He holds Honorary Professorships with both the University of Stirling and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Jim and Steve have published four books detailing the Hospitals of Skye, Nairn, Lochaber and Inverness and will be available for purchase at their talk.

Cromarty History Society meets in the West Church Hall, Cromarty at 7.30pm on the the third Thursday of each month, September-April.