Scotland’s “oldest surviving pharmacy” celebrated its 200th birthday this week.
Lindsay & Gilmour’s Elm Row branch in Edinburgh was founded in 1826, and is believed to be the oldest one still operating in the country.
It was founded by Robert Lindsay, who started out as a chemist & druggist apprentice, according to the pharmacy’s chair Nigel Cumming.
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“He was one of the first pharmacists on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society register in 1841,” said Cumming. “We are incredibly proud of our heritage and the role we have played in Scottish community pharmacy for over 200 years.”
Lindsay & Gilmour now operates 32 branches across Scotland, and celebrated its Elm Row branch’s birthday with an evening reception on June 10 attended by colleagues and senior pharmacy figures.
Pharmacist and now Scottish minister for public health, sport, alcohol and drugs Maree Todd attended along with Scotland’s chief pharmaceutical officer Alison Strath to hear Cumming speak about the pharmacy’s history.
Charles Darwin was believed to use the pharmacy while he studied in Edinburgh.
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After Lindsay founded the company, he was joined in 1863 by William Gilmour, who became leading figure in Scottish pharmacy.
C+D’s obituary of Gilmour said it is “difficult for any but Scotch pharmacists of the 1870-90 period to realise what the name Gilmour has meant to Scotch Pharmacy”.
Gilmour’s son also helped the pharmacy receive a Royal Warrant to supply medicines to King George V when he stayed at Holyrood Palace.
History
The evening reception also included an exhibition of old pharmacy artefacts, as well as pictures of stomach powders and bottles Lindsay used.
“We had old pill makers, and I’m told we have the largest collection of old prescription books in the country,” said Cumming. “It’s interesting to see what old drugs they were using.
“We talked about plant-based medicines they used and had old drawer fronts on display.”
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The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Scotland director Siobhan McGuinness said the celebration was a “great reminder of the important role community pharmacies continues to play every day”.
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) chief executive Matt Barclay used to work for Lindsay & Gilmour and he praised the pharmacy for its “care and dedication to the public for two centuries”.
Cumming said Elm Row has survived for so long because “it’s a very early example of a purpose-built parade of shops”.
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“It was built to be impressive when you go in so you feel you’re going into somewhere with a bit of distinction,” he said. “Our focus has always been on delivering trusted, compassionate care.”
It follows Boots celebrating its 60th anniversary of operations in Northern Ireland last week.
The University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy celebrated its 100th year last month, while charity Pharmacist Support celebrated its 185th birthday back in April.
