This Glasgow flat has a surprising history and it's not for the faint hearted

Few places are more eerie than abandoned Victorian asylums, but Gartloch Hospital in Glasgow cuts an especially intimidating form on the landscape...and you now have the chance to live there.

Opened in 1896 at the behest of the ominously named City of Glasgow District Lunacy Board, the hospital’s capacity expanded steadily throughout the early 20th century.

By 1904, 830 beds were available for psychiatric patients along with a 50-bed sanatorium ward for tuberculosis sufferers, which operated until the end of World War Two.

Picture: Gartloch Hospital main building, Stephen Sweeney, www.georgraphy.org.uk

Gartloch finally closed in 1996 and much of the site has now been transformed into Gartloch Village, though the empty shell of the former administration building – every bit the classic image from a Gothic Victorian horror story – still looms menacingly over the surrounding landscape.

If you can get over the eerie history, the flats for sale within the Village are spacious, modern and on sale for reasonable prices given the location, which is in a designated local nature reserve with rural aspects and surrounding, yet close to amenities including The Fort Retail Centre.

Picture: Zoopla

This top floor, two bedroom flat is on the market for offers over £139,999 with Town and Country Estate Agents and Zoopla.

Picture: the view from the top floor flat, Zoopla

The flat enjoys a corner position with views from three sides across open fields and nearby loch from the front lounge, and to the distant hills from the master bedroom.

Picture: the open plan living space, Zoopla

The property comprises: an entrance hall, open plan lounge/dining/kitchen, two bedrooms (one en suite), both of which have built-in wardrobes and bathroom.

Picture: the master bedroom, Zoopla

The flat also includes all mod cons such as gas central heating, double glazed sash and case windows, and solid wooden flooring in the hall and lounge.

Picture: the main bathroom, Zoopla

There's also an allocated resident parking space, perfect for those who commute (the city centre is about 9 miles away via the nearby M8).

If you travel to work by train, the flat is conveniently located off the Gartloch Road and is around 1.1 miles by foot to Gartcosh Train Station from where there is a regular service to Glasgow City Centre as well as many other destinations.