Leanchoil Hospital, Forres
For over 125 years it cared for Forres. Now Forres is bringing it back.
Leanchoil closed in 2018. In 2026 the whole site passed into community hands. Scroll its story, then help write the next chapter.
A Forres boy who never forgot home.
Donald Alexander Smith was born in Forres in 1820. He became one of the great figures of Canada, through the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Canadian Pacific Railway, and was made 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal.
He gave the land at Chapelton and most of the cost of the building, and he chose its name himself: Leanchoil.
Strathcona’s name lives on in Canada, in an Army regiment, a county in Alberta and an endowment at McGill. His gift to Forres is still standing.
years of births, care and community.
Births. Born in Leanchoil.
As a maternity hospital, Leanchoil is where generations of Forres families began. Many people in the town can still say they were born there.
Care. A cottage hospital.
For Forres and its rural communities, Leanchoil was the hospital close to home, with surgeon, matron and wards all under one roof.
Community. To the very end.
Later it gave palliative care to older people, so they could spend their last days near the people and places they knew.
For over 125 years, people from Forres and the villages around it were born here, mended here and looked after here. Almost every family in the town has a Leanchoil story.
The doors closed, and the building fell silent.
Leanchoil has lain empty since. It is a listed building, and it has been waiting for someone to step in.
Not for much longer.
The community bought it back.
The whole site now belongs to Leanchoil Trust, on behalf of the people of Forres. This is how far we’ve come, and what comes next.
Site purchased from NHS Grampian
The Community Asset Transfer is complete. The Scottish Land Fund provided £340k to buy the site.
Heritage Fund paid for the plans
A National Lottery Heritage Fund grant paid LDN Architects of Inverness to draw up plans for the site.
Planning consent secured
The plans for Leanchoil’s new life have planning permission.
New homes in the old maternity unit
The former maternity unit was sold to Hanover Scotland for 41 supported housing units. The proceeds fund design work on the main building.
LDN Architects appointed
Following a national tender, LDN Architects will design the refurbishment of the main building.
Almost £700,000 raised
Every pound came from people and funders who believe Leanchoil has a future.
Volunteer clear-up day
Volunteers cleared the building, items were saved for a future auction, and summer coffee mornings across Forres, Dyke/Kintessack, Edinkillie, Dallas and Findhorn raised over £2,000.
The next milestone
[fundraising target / works start date — Trust to confirm]
What Leanchoil will become
A micro health & wellbeing village, open to every age in Forres.
Leanchoil will be an innovative place that inspires our community to focus on their own improved wellbeing, both now and in the future.
The Trust's vision
The Immersive Classroom
A sensory room at the heart of the village, for training, STEM learning, therapy and relaxation.
A hub for wellbeing
- Activities and services
- Social engagement
- Volunteering
- Employment
- Learning for all ages
Your part in it
The next chapter needs you in it.
Four ways to help. Membership is free, and it shows funders that Forres stands behind Leanchoil.
Free
Become a member
It costs you nothing. Every member shows funders there is real community support for Leanchoil.
One-off or regular
Donate
Give once or every month, with Gift Aid. Businesses can support us through CSR or as their chosen charity, and you can remember Leanchoil in your will.
Your way
Fundraise for us
Bake, run, host a coffee morning. Coffee mornings across Moray have already raised over £2,000.
Give time
Volunteer
From clear-up days to events, there’s a job for every pair of hands.
Empty since 2018. Not for much longer.
Lord Strathcona gave Leanchoil to Forres. Now it is ours to bring back, together.
Supported by
Thanks to National Lottery players
