Linburn
Encyclopedia
The Linburn Centre is a day centre for blinded war veterans at Wilkieston
in West Lothian
, Scotland
, around 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) west of the city of Edinburgh
. The centre is located within the estate of Linburn House, a country house which was demolished in 1955. It is operated by the charity Scottish War Blinded.
In 2002 the hostel at Linburn, which provided nursing accommodation for blind veterans, was closed and the residents re-housed. In 2009 it was announced that a new centre would be built, to include workshops, gallery, gym, therapy spaces and offices. The design of the centre, by Page\Park Architects
, is said to have been inspired by a Chinese dragon
on display in the old building.
The new Linburn Centre was officially opened in June 2011 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. It incorporates a wide range of facilities to equip members with the skills and opportunities they require to maintain and improve the quality of their life. It is a center of activity and socialisation for members within the local area, but is also ideal for occasional short course use for members from further afield.
Wilkieston
Wilkieston is a small village in West Lothian, Scotland. It is located on the A71 road, north of Kirknewton, south-west of Ratho and east of Livingston.To the north-west of the village is Bonnington House, a 19th-century country house...
in West Lothian
West Lothian
West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, around 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) west of the city of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. The centre is located within the estate of Linburn House, a country house which was demolished in 1955. It is operated by the charity Scottish War Blinded.
Scottish War Blinded
The Scottish National Institution for the War Blinded was established in 1915 to care for servicemen blinded in the First World War. The Institution purchased the Linburn estate in 1944 and developed housing, workshops and recreational facilities within the grounds of the house. Linburn House itself was used as a hospital before being demolished in 1955. 16 purpose-built homes were constructed for blinded veterans and their families.In 2002 the hostel at Linburn, which provided nursing accommodation for blind veterans, was closed and the residents re-housed. In 2009 it was announced that a new centre would be built, to include workshops, gallery, gym, therapy spaces and offices. The design of the centre, by Page\Park Architects
Page\Park Architects
Page\Park Architects was established in 1981 by David Page and Brian Park and has developed as one of Scotland’s best known practices undertaking work over a range of sectors....
, is said to have been inspired by a Chinese dragon
Chinese dragon
Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and folklore, with mythic counterparts among Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Bhutanese, Western and Turkic dragons. In Chinese art, dragons are typically portrayed as long, scaled, serpentine creatures with four legs...
on display in the old building.
The new Linburn Centre was officially opened in June 2011 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. It incorporates a wide range of facilities to equip members with the skills and opportunities they require to maintain and improve the quality of their life. It is a center of activity and socialisation for members within the local area, but is also ideal for occasional short course use for members from further afield.