LOCHGILPHEAD library is hosting a poignant exhibition which offers a glimpse into the lives of Argyll and Bute’s medical volunteers during the First World War.

Healing Hands on the Home Front pays tribute to the work of the local auxiliary hospitals and homes set up by the Red Cross around the country and which provided medical care for wounded servicemen and women.  It tells the stories of some of the patients through old photographs, letters and papers and shows how those who remained at home in Argyll and Bute made a significant contribution to the war effort.

It was common for large houses to be taken over and run as hospitals and Argyll and Bute was no exception. Undoubtedly one of the grandest auxiliary hospitals was Mount Stuart on Bute, where hospital beds were surrounded by marble pillars and oil paintings.  The exhibition includes images of this hospital from the Bute Collection along with a large collection of photographs from Hermitage House in Helensburgh, and images of patients and nurses at Letters Lodge auxiliary hospital in Strachur. 

Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Community and Culture, Councillor Robin Currie, is encouraging local residents to go along and visit Healing Hands on the Home Front. He said: “This really is a fascinating exhibition which gives us a real flavour of what life was like here on the home front in Argyll and Bute during the First World War.

“There are so many interesting facts and stories which show that Argyll and Bute’s communities made a tremendous effort to help during a time of great turmoil and strife. It is well worth a look and I am sure that visitors will be surprised at some of the things they learn about local life during the First World War.”

Healing Hands on the Home Front can be seen at Lochgilphead library until Monday 13th April.