Work to start on restoration of landmark Dr Gray's Hospital clock
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SCAFFOLDING is going up this week at the landmark frontage and dome of Dr Gray's Hospital ahead of the restoration its clock faces.
Work to return the clock faces to their former glory will begin from September 7 after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the repairs, originally timetabled for April and May.
The £38,000 refurbishment is expected to take around three weeks to complete.
The fundraising effort to pay for the work was led by the Friends of Dr Gray's Hospital group, formed in 2018 by current and former members of staff, to celebrate the hospital reaching 200 years old last year.
Local firms including Johnstons of Elgin and Walkers Shortbread got behind the appeal by raising cash through the sales of specially made products.
In March a mystery benefactor boosted the cause by a very generous £12,000 – taking the total raised to £42,000 and ensuring that the refurbishment could proceed this year.
The work is being carried out by family-owned clockmaker and historic restorations specialist Smiths of Derby. The Edinburgh arm of the firm knows the Elgin site well, having been involved in past maintenance.
Dr Ken Brown, retired consultant radiographer and a committee member for the Friends, said improved lighting was also planned. He said: "Everything is up there. The timer is up there, the wiring is all there.
"The faces and hands will be refurbished and cleaned up, and anything else that needs doing."
Dr Brown said that, in 1816 when the clocks were planned, only the east face was given a glass covering. The superior town-facing clock cost 18 guineas, whereas the other three cost 12 guineas each.
Dr Brown said the refurbishment will see the face that looks back over the site in working order for the first time in his 30-odd-year involvement with the hospital. The face pointing up Grant Street direction was working up until about a year ago.
He added: "The work is badly needing done.
"We've had a huge amount of support from local people who helped with fundraising – people did sponsored walks, sales, all sorts of things. People will rally round the hospital when there is something to focus on.
"The company doing the work has held its quote for 18 months, which is extremely impressive. This was all supposed to happen in April and May but, of course, with Covid it was all held back.
"So we're very glad to get it on the go finally.
"The committee is extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed to make it possible."
During the work, the main entrance to the old building will be temporarily closed, with alternative access signposted.
The Friends are continuing to fundraise for other improvement projects within the hospital.
