Argyll and Bute Hospital, Lochgilphead

Established in 1863 as the Argyll District Asylum, it was the first district asylum in Scotland following the 1857 Lunacy (Scotland) Act, which mandated the provision of care for the mentally ill. Designed by Edinburgh architect David Cousin, the original building, known as the West House, set a precedent for subsequent asylums built in the late 19th century. In 1868, the institution was renamed the Argyll and Bute District Asylum, reflecting the inclusion of patients from the Bute area, who had initially resisted sharing facilities with Argyll. A significant expansion occurred in 1883 with the addition of a new block designed by architects Peddie & Kinnear. This "East House" accommodated 120 industrial patients and featured advanced facilities for its time. The hospital joined the National Health Service in 1948, becoming Argyll and Bute Hospital. In 1971, a new 30-bed extension was opened by the Duchess of Kent, marking a continued commitment to psychiatric care.

The introduction of the "Care in the Community" policy in the early 1980s led to a decline in institutionalized care.Consequently, Argyll and Bute Hospital gradually reduced its inpatient services. By 2016, all remaining inpatients were transferred, and the hospital officially closed in 2017. Despite its closure, the hospital's architecture remains notable. The West House is a Grade C listed building, and the East House, though demolished in 2020 due to safety concerns, was also recognised for its architectural value.