A century-old foundation stone has been restored and relocated outside Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) to mark 100 years of children’s healthcare in Aberdeen.
The stone was originally laid on October 29, 1926, by Harvey Hall, chairman of directors of the Royal Aberdeen Hospital for Sick Children.
It commemorates the construction of the hospital, which opened in January 1929 and was the first institution to occupy the new Foresterhill site.
The stone was rediscovered and restored following the efforts of three retired healthcare professionals: Professor George G Youngson CBE, Dr Derek King and Mr Chris Driver.
The trio, who co-edited Healing the Bairns, a book documenting the history of Aberdeen’s children’s hospitals, wanted to recover the original stone and ensure it was preserved.
After hours of searching, Professor Youngson and Dr King found it buried beneath overgrown vegetation on the hospital campus.
With support from NHS Grampian’s grounds team, the stone was moved to a new position near the Spider Dolphin and Oor Bob the Builder sculptures.
The Archie Foundation funded its cleaning and restoration, including work to refurbish the original lettering.
The restoration comes as Aberdeen prepares to mark 150 years since the opening of its first dedicated children’s hospital in 2027.
Healing the Bairns, supported by The Archie Foundation, tells the story of Aberdeen’s children’s hospitals, the people who established them and the young patients they cared for.
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Laura Skaife-Knight, chief executive of NHS Grampian, said: “This restored foundation stone represents far more than a piece of granite.
“It symbolises generations of healthcare professionals, supporters and communities who were determined to improve the lives of children and young people across the North-east of Scotland.
“As we mark the centenary of its laying, it is fitting that this important part of our history has been preserved and given pride of place.
“I would particularly like to recognise Professor Youngson, Dr King, and Mr Driver, whose passion and commitment to preserving the history of paediatric healthcare in our region has brought this project to life.”
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, said: “George, Derek, and Chris have each made an extraordinary contribution to paediatric healthcare in the North-east throughout their careers.
“Their passion for advancing and improving healthcare for children and young people remains as strong as ever, and that dedication is evident in the work they are doing to record and share this remarkable history.”
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