Craiglockhart Hydropathic

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Craiglockhart Hydropathic old and new buildings

Craiglockhart Hydropathic was a notable building and institution located in Edinburgh, Scotland. Originally built as a hydropathic institution in the late 19th century, it played a significant role during the First World War as a military hospital for the treatment of officers suffering from shell shock, now more commonly referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The building is historically significant for its association with notable poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, who met there in 1917 and contributed to the development of war poetry that highlighted the horrors of trench warfare.

History

The Craiglockhart Hydropathic was established in the 1880s, capitalizing on the Victorian era's fascination with hydropathy, or water cure therapy. The institution offered various treatments that were believed to cure or alleviate a range of ailments through the use of water. Its picturesque location and state-of-the-art facilities made it a popular retreat for those seeking rest and recovery.

With the outbreak of the First World War, the building was requisitioned by the War Office and transformed into the Craiglockhart War Hospital for Officers. It was during this period that the hospital became a center for innovative treatments for shell shock, under the direction of notable psychiatrist Dr. W.H.R. Rivers. Rivers' humane and understanding approach to treatment was revolutionary at the time and had a significant impact on the field of psychiatry.

Notable Residents

The most famous residents of Craiglockhart during its time as a war hospital were poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. Both men were treated for shell shock and found solace and expression in poetry, which they continued to write during their stay. Their meeting and subsequent friendship at Craiglockhart had a profound impact on their work, with the hospital and their experiences there featuring prominently in their poetry.

Post-War Period

After the war, the building returned to its original function as a hydropathic hotel before eventually being acquired by Napier University (now Edinburgh Napier University) in the 1960s. It has since been used as an educational facility, housing parts of the university's Business School. The building has been extensively renovated but still retains much of its historical character.

Legacy

Craiglockhart Hydropathic's legacy is twofold; it is remembered both as a pioneering medical facility for the treatment of war-induced psychological trauma and as a place of significant literary history. The hospital's innovative approach to the treatment of shell shock has been recognized as a precursor to modern treatments for PTSD. Additionally, the association with Sassoon and Owen has cemented Craiglockhart's place in literary history, particularly in the context of World War I poetry.

The building itself has been preserved and is a testament to the architectural and historical significance of hydropathic institutions in the 19th century. It serves as a reminder of the social and medical history of the time, as well as the personal stories of those who lived and were treated there.

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