In 1824 Saughtonhall House became a private mental hospital - Saughton Hall Institute for the Recovery of the Insane - " exclusively designed for the reception of patients of the higher ranks." By 1840 over one hundred folk had been admitted. Unlike many other such places, however, Saughton Hall treated its patients very well. Its manager, Dr Lowe, was an avid gardener who firmly believed that growing flowers aided recovery. To these ends, he laid out gardens around the house which were looked after by its residents.
1900 saw the Council purchase the house and estate, the hospital moving to Mavisbank. At this time Saughton Park was on the very edge of town and boasted a nine hole golf course, playing fields and a nursery with greenhouses used to grow plants for parks across Edinburgh. 1908 saw three and a half million visitors flock to Saughton Park to wonder at the spectacle that was the Scottish National Exhibition. And during the Second World War the grounds were dug over to grow tons of onions - yes, onions - for Edinburgh hospitals.
On a slightly more bizarre note, the morning of 4th November 1952 was heralded by hundreds of people dialling 999 to report Saughtonhall House ablaze. This was not a precursor to Bonfire Night or an act of willful destruction. The fire service were more than aware of the situation - they had started the fire! By this time, the house was riddled with dry rot and in real danger of collapsing in an undignified heap. The previous day firemen and soldiers had packed the rooms full of straw soaked in petrol, and rubber tyres. At precisely 8.30am the Firemaster struck the match which ignited the building, instructing his men to keep the fire burning until the house fell down. And so Saughtonhall was no more.Saughton Park has seen many people come and go. During the 1970s Hearts FC players trained on the pitches. It also saw athletes prepare for the 1986 Commonwealth Games. Today there is still a large tract of open space with playing fields, an athletics track, an award-winning skateboard park, and a brand new play area which opened in 2012. The gardens themselves are quite delightful, another green oasis within the heart of the city. The present Winter Garden owes much to one of the most popular features at the 1908 Exhibition. Renowned for its stunning display of roses, an amazing sight when in full bloom, the Rose Society actually test new varieties here to see if they survive the unpredictable Scottish climate. A formal garden in a classic style, it has always been famous for its flowers.
By 1914 the area enclosed by the original garden walls had been laid out in an ornamental fashion - a Rosary, an American Garden, a Rock Garden and a Sweet Pea Garden. But however aromatic the scented blooms, they never truly competed with the less than favourable smell from Cox's Glue Factory when the wind was in the east. No such problems today. The roses are joined by neatly-clipped yew hedges, wildflower borders, flower and heather beds, highly scented flowers for the visually impaired to enjoy, and a glass Winter Garden bursting with exotic plants. People sit and read on the many benches dotted about, rest beneath the trees, breath in the fresh air. Others picnic on the grass - some unfortunately unaware that litter goes in litter bins. The clue is in the name - and you have to walk past them to leave the Park! But I guess this is a problem endured by many, not just in Edinburgh. Why people have to behave so thoughtlessly in a public place is beyond me. However, this does little to spoil the enjoyment of such a beautiful place. The Park welcomes gardeners, sports enthusiasts, local children ..... and those strolling along the Water of Leith Walkway. Fortunately the majority leave behind only their footprints and countless happy memories. And if you are really lucky, you may spot
a heron in the river, patiently waiting for a spot of lunch to pass his way .......
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