CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Discovering Hartwood

Discovering Hartwood is a day long free open house event at Shotts Community Centre as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival!

Discovering Hartwood

About Discovering Hartwood

A multi-layered arts event being hosted to celebrate and share stories of the often-hidden history of Hartwood Hospital, a former psychiatric hospital in Shotts. Featuring storytelling performances, live music, drama workshops and an exhibition.

Storyteller Jane Mather and harpist Heather Yule will deliver In the Hartwood, a storytelling adventure which reveals a new history regarding Hartwood Hospital and it’s Paupers Cemetery. Celebrated soprano Monica McGhee will perform three of Scottish composer Robert McHardy’s lost songs.

'In the Hartwood' is a celebration of the lives of the patients at Hartwood Psychiatric Hospital which was open between 1895 and 1998 - at one time Scotland's biggest asylum.

As part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, 'Discovering Hartwood' day at Shotts will feature this special performance focusing on the lives of those who died in the institution. While the building now lies in ruins a team of volunteers tends the paupers cemetery in the grounds, and whilst uncovering their last resting place have also been discovering their remarkable stories.

In part one Storyteller Jane Mather and harpist Heather Yule will tell a modern fairytale about the cemetery and the folk who care for the graves today guiding you into the faerie realm where dreams are powerful and spirits abound.

Part two focuses in on the amazing story of one patient -Strathaven's Polish Baroness ‘Lady Felice’, and in particular her relationship with Robert Machardy, a celebrated Scottish Composer of Victorian times.

Motherwell born soprano Monica McGhee accompanied by Geoffrey Tanti on Piano will resurrect three Machardy songs which, to our knowledge, have not been played in public for at least a hundred years, the music for which until recently had been languishing in the archives of the British Library.

• The Soldier - was composed in 1879
• Song of the Sea - originally commissioned in 1879 by Thérèse Tietjens a leading opera and oratorio soprano during the 1860s and 1870s.
• What is there in that beaming eye - 1876

The workshops and performances aim to reveal a deeper understanding of mental health issues, promote dialogue and encourage community healing through the arts.

Sponsored Links

The Ivy
Glasgow Science Centre
Media Shop

Other Events at Shotts Community Centre or Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

Feed

13th September 2025 - 9th January 2026

Feed is an installation at GoMA promoting inclusive, sustainable approaches to infant feeding and public space.

READ MORE

Gartnavel Royal Summer House Residency

21st October 2025 - 1st October 2026

Project Ability artists and inpatients from Gartnavel Royal Hospital reflect on ideas of comfort and disturbance in nature, with visits to the Gartnavel Summer House and gardens.

READ MORE

Jackie and the Beans Talk

19th December 2025 - 20th December 2025

Jackie and the Beans Talk is a fun packed panto for ages 5 to 95, which follows the adventures of Jackie, a loveable country lassie, and her best friend Buttercup the cow!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Ashley Rawson
The Quay
ATG
Hostelworld

Similar events you might like...

Strathclyde Parkrun

Strathclyde Parkrun

Selected dates between 4th January 2025 - 27th December 2025

Strathclyde Parkrun is a weekly, free 5km timed run held on Saturday mornings at Strathclyde Country Park!

READ MORE
Drumpellier Junior Parkrun

Drumpellier Junior Parkrun

Selected dates between 5th January 2025 - 28th December 2025

Drumpellier Junior Parkrun is a weekly, free 2km timed run held on Sunday mornings at Drumpellier Country Park!

READ MORE
Pain Association Scotland - Self Management for People Living with Chronic Pain

Pain Association Scotland - Self Management for People Living with Chronic Pain

Selected dates between 23rd January 2025 - 17th December 2025
Various Locations Lanarkshire

Pain Association Scotland run professionally-led monthly groups across Lanarkshire for people living with all forms of chronic pain.

READ MORE
Chair Yoga for Every Body

Chair Yoga for Every Body

Selected dates between 7th November 2025 - 18th December 2026

Join Nicki from Superstar Yoga for some gentle Chair Yoga, suitable for all, at David Livingstone Birthplace on Friday afternoons!

READ MORE
Yule Celebration

Yule Celebration

20th December 2025

Bid a fond farewell to 2025 with gratitude and growth, and set your sights on a hopeful, abundant future at Sagittarian Tarot & Coaching's Yule Celebration.

READ MORE
Breast Cancer Now - Moving Forward Course

Breast Cancer Now - Moving Forward Course

4th February 2026

Breast Cancer Now know it's not always 'back to normal' when you finish hospital treatment for primary breast cancer, that's why their Moving Forward course is here.​

READ MORE
OUWM - Open Up With Me

OUWM - Open Up With Me

8th February 2026

Step into a powerful three-hour chakra healing experience designed to realign your energy, release old patterns, and help you to connect deeply with your higher self.

READ MORE

Find other events in Lanarkshire

Sponsored Links

The Ivy
Glasgow Science Centre
Media Shop
Ashley Rawson
The Quay
ATG
Hostelworld

Popular Events

MacKinnon Mills Indoor Christmas Carnival
Santa arrives at MacKinnon Mills on Saturday 8th November opening his fabulous Grotto and Indoor Carnival which will run every weekend until Christmas!
Bugsy Malone
Shine Theatre bursts onto the stage at The Town House Hamilton this January with Bugsy Malone, the splurge-filled musical comedy that's a hit for all ages!
Classic Bites
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of classic cinema at East Kilbride Arts Centre's brand-new Classic Bites screenings!
Santa Visits Calderglen
Visit Santa in his cosy grotto within the Courtyard Gallery in Calderglen Country Park this December!
Snow White
Spillers Pantomimes and North Lanarkshire Council will bring their annual pantomime for the first time to Airdrie Town Hall this festive season!

Popular Listings

Airdrie Town Hall Chatelherault Country Park East Kilbride Arts Centre East Kilbride Village Theatre Lanark Memorial Hall Lanternhouse Cumbernauld Rutherglen Town Hall Strathclyde Country Park The Town House Hamilton