{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox hospital | name = Linburn Centre | org_group = Scottish War Blinded | image = Linburn - geograph.org.uk - 43084.jpg | location = Wilkieston | caption = Main entrance | logo = <!-- optional --> | region = West Lothian | state = Scotland | country = UK | healthcare = Private | type = Specialist | speciality = Blind people | emergency = | affiliation = <!-- University or Medical School --> | beds = | founded = 1944 | closed = | website = | other_links = <!-- optional --> | pushpin_map = Scotland West Lothian | pushpin_map_caption = Shown in West Lothian | coordinates = {{Coord|55.900|N|3.407|W|display=inline,title}} }} The '''Linburn Centre''' is a day centre for blinded war veterans at Wilkieston in West Lothian, Scotland, around {{convert|6|km}} west of the city of Edinburgh. The centre is located within the estate of Linburn House, a country house which was demolished in 1955.<ref name=oldlinburnhouse>{{Cite web |url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/200657/details/wilkieston+old+linburn+house/ |title=Wilkieston, Old Linburn House |work=CANMORE |publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland}}</ref> It is operated by the charity Scottish War Blinded.
==History== The Scottish National Institution for the War Blinded was established in 1915 to care for servicemen blinded in the First World War. The Institution purchased the Linburn estate in 1944 and developed housing, workshops and recreational facilities within the grounds of the house.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.patient.co.uk/support/Scottish-National-Institution-for-the-War-Blinded-The.htm |title=The Scottish National Institution for the War Blinded |work=Patient UK}}</ref> Linburn House itself was used as a hospital before being demolished in 1955.<ref name=oldlinburnhouse/> 16 purpose-built homes were constructed for blinded veterans and their families.<ref name=scotsman/>
In 2002 the hostel at Linburn, which provided nursing accommodation for blind veterans, was closed and the residents re-housed.<ref name=scotsman>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Warblinded-OAPs-given-help-to.2299914.jp |title=War-blinded OAPs given help to find new homes |date=4 February 2002 |work=The Scotsman}}</ref> In 2009 it was announced that a new centre would be built and that the design of the centre, by Page\Park Architects, had been inspired by a Chinese dragon on display in the old building.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.e-architect.co.uk/scotland/scottish_war_blinded_building.htm |title=Scottish War Blinded : Building Information |date=23 November 2009 |publisher=e-architect}}</ref> The new building was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester in June 2011.<ref name=open>{{cite news|title=Royal support for new centre |url=http://www.westlothianhp.co.uk/news/local-headlines/royal_support_for_new_centre_1_1669346 |newspaper=West Lothian Herald and Post |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=18 August 2011 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330223459/http://www.westlothianhp.co.uk/news/local-headlines/royal_support_for_new_centre_1_1669346 |archive-date=30 March 2012 }}</ref>
==Services== The centre incorporates a wide range of facilities to equip members with the skills and opportunities they require to maintain and improve the quality of their life. It is a center of activity and socialisation for members within the local area, but is also ideal for occasional short course use for members from further afield.<ref name=open/>
==See also== *Royal Blind School
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.royalblind.org/warblinded/ Scottish War Blinded]
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Category:Blindness organisations in the United Kingdom Category:Hospitals in West Lothian