The first care community was
built in Denham, England by the Licensed Victuallers in 1827. A similar community, again with cottages and a care home, was built by the Linen and Woollen Drapers at Mill Hill in North London in 1897. In the
USA, the first community was built in California in the 1950s, and it is estimated that there are now several hundred communities throughout North America. Communities have also been built in many other countries
including Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Australia.
The first owner took possession of her home in Queen Victoria Park on 22 October 1986 and the first resident moved into Inchmarlo House Care Home on 6
July 1987.
Inchmarlo House was officially opened by the Right Honourable Malcolm Rifkind MP QC, Secretary of State for Scotland on 29 September 1987.
Why Inchmarlo?
In searching for the site to build the
first Continuing Care Retirement Community in Scotland, many places were considered, but Inchmarlo on Royal Deeside, 1 mile west of Banchory, was immediately seen to be the ideal site.
Inchmarlo is a magnificent
Georgian mansion house, facing south, with superb views over the River Dee. It is surrounded by 100 acres of landscaped parkland and woodland containing many fine species of Douglas Fir and Scots Pine.
Indeed, so famous were the gardens, that Queen Victoria instructed her coachman to drive through Inchmarlo on her way to and from Balmoral. The drive through the estate is therefore called the Queen's Drive.
Royal Deeside
On the first Saturday in September, Scotland's most famous Highland Games, the Braemar Gathering, attracts thousands of visitors to the brilliant spectacle. The Royal Family is
always represented at Braemar, usually by the Queen and her immediate family.
Inchmarlo, on Royal Deeside, is within a few yards of the River Dee, one of the most famous salmon rivers in the world, and is surrounded
by 9 hole and 18 hole golf courses.
The 9 hole Inchmarlo Golf Course opened in April 1997 and offers a challenging test of golf played in some of the most beautiful surroundings of Royal Deeside.
Set on parkland slopes above the existing 9 hole course, Inchmarlo Golf Centre's 18 hole
championship Laird's course opened in 2001. For further information and membership details please contact the Golf Centre at info@inchmarlo.com
Banchory
Situated 1 mile to the east of Inchmarlo on the A93, the main road from Aberdeen to Ballater and Braemar, is the small and attractive town of
Banchory. Its climate and pleasant character have made it a very popular holiday centre. It is a fast-growing town, and is well-known for its fine High Street with a good range of shops, cafes and
restaurants. A wide range of entertainment is available in its numerous hotels. Recreation facilities include golf, riding, putting, tennis, bowling and cricket. Fishing, via day permits, is available
for salmon and trout on the River Feugh, salmon on the River Dee and brown trout on the Beltie Burn. There are four churches in Banchory, the East and West Churches (Church of Scotland), St Ternan's (Episcopal)
and St Columba's (Roman Catholic). A public library is also available.
Aberdeen is only 18 miles away and is the financial centre of the north-east of Scotland as well as being the headquarters for the North Sea
oil and gas industry.
It is also the nearest airport with an excellent range of services within the UK as well as several destinations in continental Europe. Aberdeen railway station has direct services to towns
and cities throughout the UK.
