The Gilchrist Garden

Located in Bothwell as a memorial to local native Marion Gilchrist, 1864-1952

Marion left school at 13 but studied through a correspondence course and gained an LLA in 1890. She then went on to study medicine. In 1892 The University of Glasgow started to admit lady students to the medical faculty. In 1894 she graduated ‘with high commendation’, she was thus the first female medical graduate from any Scottish University.

She specialised in diseases of the eye and became a consultant ophthalmologist in the Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow.

Later in 1903 she became active in peaceful promotion of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and votes for women.