The Crichton Trust is a project of national importance as a model for both the re-purposing of a significant historic site and for the delivery of education, training, enterprise and knowledge exchange. It is an 85-acre parkland estate steeped in history and located on the outskirts of Dumfries. The grounds and landscaped gardens are free and accessible to the public all year round. There is a vibrant business and academic community with 147 businesses and five academic institutions currently operating there. It provides business premises in a dynamic location with a beautiful and historic parkland setting.
In 1823 Elizabeth Crichton inherited £100,000 and used the money to build the best psychiatric hospital in Europe, not only in the treatment of patients but also in architecture and the environment. Unfortunately, due to cutbacks the hospital closed in the 1980s and in 1995, the local authority purchased the property from the Health Board with the objective of ensuring the site was saved, protected and developed sympathetically for the good of the wider community. The Crichton Business Park has transformed the historic sandstone buildings of the Crichton into functional and attractive office premises, combining the beauty of the 19th century with the connectivity and flexible accommodation needs of 21st century business. The businesses are home to hundreds of employees, while the Trust itself has 54 full-time staff. The Crichton is also home to a multi-institutional academic campus with colleges and universities all working together to meet local education and business needs.
The Crichton wants to empower and enable a new cross-generational, business, academic and individual knowledge exchange community that shapes the ‘Future Economy’. Continued public access and enjoyment of the estate and the preservation of its character and integrity are key factors in its management and development today. To support the businesses on site the Trust hosts monthly networking forums and introduces new tenants moving in, several times a year guest speakers attend, and these are often from entities that can support business growth and success like South of Scotland Enterprise and Business Gateway amongst others. The Crichton provides important employment and business opportunities as well as community benefits such as hospitality, leisure and wedding facilities. The Crichton Gardens are set in 85 acres of parkland complete with specimen trees and plants, arboretum and rose garden, offering a stunning location to take a leisurely stroll, walk the dog, have a picnic or take wedding photos. There is a community gardening project operated by a Veteran’s charity on space provided by the Trust and playing fields for a range of sports and outdoor activities.
Dumfries and Galloway Council retain ownership of the site, but they have no direct control over its management. The long-term lease of the property to the Crichton Trust runs until 2147, allowing the Trust freedom to develop and manage the site sustainably. In 2022, the Trust received a UK Community Renewal Fund Grant to accelerate plans for a healthy ageing, Net Zero and Future-proofed Crichton Quarter. This will enable the Crichton Trust to build upon the substantial work carried out to date by the Dumfries and Galloway Care Campus Project, the Sustainable Communities Initiative Project and the Crichton Quarter Development Framework to deliver a route map and investment-ready detailed master plan for the Crichton 21st Century Village. The Trust is committed to putting the wellbeing of its people, place, partners, and planet at the heart of its operations. The trust has an ambition to deliver a new model of carbon-neutral, connected, smart, age-friendly living, studying, and working that will become an internationally important Living Lab, a world leader in combing smart sensor-enabled living with an intergenerational connected community of 470 adaptable new homes for life.