A north hospital is celebrating both its 150th birthday and the 50th anniversary of its current building.
A major conference began yesterday to mark the twin anniversary of the Belford Hospital in Fort William.
It has been organised by Dr Patrick Byrne, a consultant physician and GP at the hospital since 2009 to celebrate the hospital’s history and rural healthcare in general.
It is expected that up to 400 people will attend the event, which started yesterday and will end on Sunday.
An international line-up of doctors and health professionals will address delegates on a range of subjects, stretching the history of healthcare at the Belford, controversies in a rural general hospital and the relationship between mountain rescue and the medical staff.
A “fringe” event will also be held alongside the main stage events, exploring other areas of healthcare.
Delegates will have the chance to let their hair down at a Belford ceilidh on Saturday night.
The event was opened yesterday by NHS Highland’s director of operations Gill McVicar and chairman Garry Coutts.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Coutts said: “We often forget how much has changed in 50 years in healthcare and the successes which have been achieved in that time.
“The average life expectancy back then for someone in the Highlands was only about 65-years-old and only a quarter of people could expect to survive cancer.
“The Belford has definitely played its part in all of the advances we’ve seen in rural healthcare in that time.”
The Belford opened in its current home in the centre of Fort William in 1965.
However, it could soon be on the move again under plans to build a new healthcare facility at Blar Mhor on the outskirts of the town.
Highland Council purchased the site earlier this month to accommodate a new science academy and hospital.
The current Belford location is planned to be used for affordable housing once the new hospital is built.