The original building was commissioned as a sanctuary for tuberculosis patients[1] and opened as Nordrach on Dee Hospital[2] in 1900.

[5] It reprised its role in contagious diseases when a typhoid epidemic hit nearby Aberdeen in the 1960s, but its last use was as a residential home for the elderly before it closed in 1998.

[6] The building was badly damaged by fire on 14 October 2016 with police treating the incident as wilful fire-raising.

The volunteers then visit the older patients regularly in hospital and at home after discharge, offering on-going emotional and practical support.

Local GPs reported the service had improved the overall health and wellbeing of their patients and reduced the number of medically unnecessary GP visits.