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AHSSTHE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND

AHSS Founded in 1956 – Over 50 years of Commitment I Autumn 2013 I No. 34

AHSSAut13_Layout 1 13/09/2013 10:04 Page 1

Benefits of membership• You immediately become part of the Society's campaign to protect Scotland's built heritage.

Even if you take no active part, your support is vital to the Society. • Participation in the Society's active regional events programme including its National Study Tour. • Free copies of the Society's magazine and academic journal Architectural Heritage.

New membership rates from January 2013 Approved at Annual General Meeting, October 2012

Single: £35.00 Small charity: £50.00Family: £50.00 Corporate: £140.00Student: £15.00 Life: £700.00Educational body: £70.00 Life 65+: £350.00Personal benefactor: £85.00The first year of a student membership is FREE, after which the annual rate of £15 will beapplied.

For all membership enquiries please contact our Membership Services provider HallMcCartney:T: 01462 896688 F: 01462 896677 E: [email protected] McCartney, Heritage House, PO Box 21, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5SHPlease note, the National Office no longer handles membership enquiries.

If you renew your membership by cheque you will already have received notice of the revisedrates. For members renewing by Standing Order you will short receive a letter frommembership services giving details of the change in your subscription rate along with a newstanding order mandate.

You can give extra support to the AHSS by completing the Gift Aid section of the form whichbenefits the society by a further £8.75 on a single membership if you pay income tax at noextra cost to you.

Discover more about Scotland's built heritage and take an active part in its protectionand preservation by becoming a member of the Society.

We are committed to encouraging public understanding and appreciation ofScotland's historic built environment. Working across Scotland, the Society supportsthe preservation and restoration of historic buildings, towns and landscapes.

We do this by:

Casework: The Society has a network of local cases panels which monitorapplications for planning, listed building, and conservation area consents.

Talks & lectures:A lively programme of architecture-related talks and lectures areorganised across the Society's regional groups.

Visits & tours:A variety of excursions to historic properties, gardens and places ofarchitectural interest are regularly organised by the Society's regional groups.

Publications: The Society produces an annual Journal with essays on architecturalhistory and conservation. The Society's magazine, which comes out twice a year, alsoprovides a round up of current news from within the built environment sector inScotland with features from guest contributors.

Join us!Anderson, Bell Christie Architects

Art Institute of Chicago

Benjamin Tindall Architects

Craigleith Masonry Conservation Ltd

Edinburgh City Libraries

Gray, Marshall and Associates

Historic Scotland TechnicalConservation Group

LDN Architects

National Gallery of Art, Washington

Royal Commission on the Ancientand Historical Monuments ofScotland (RCAHMS)

RIBA Library

The Robert Gordon University

The Royal Incorporation of Architectsin Scotland (RIAS)

Simpson & Brown Architects

T Graham & Son (Builders) Ltd

Tod & Taylor Architects

Corporate Members

Centre Canadien d'Architecture

Edinburgh College of Art

Glasgow Life

Historic Scotland Library

The New Club Library

Paul Mellon Centre

Swets Information Services Ltd

University of Edinburgh,Department of Architecture

University of St Andrews

Educational Members


WELCOME

Welcome to the autumn 2013 issue of the AHSS Magazine. If the spring issue tooka close look at West Coast projects and places, then this issue extends its gaze farand wide both geographically and thematically. We travel to Russia (twice), Italyand Haiti, and closer to home, to Yorkshire, Edinburgh, Ayr and Dumfriesshire.Anyone with a hunger to explore further should note the dates of the ever-

popular Spring Study Tour, which will focus on the hidden heritage and buildings of north east Scotland.A series of themes runs through this issue including energy efficiency, stained glass, archival research,

theatres and the contribution of individuals to our collective knowledge. Sadly, Peter Drummond writeshis last ‘View from the Chair’, having completed a full five year term as Chairman.

Unsurprisingly, many of the articles and reports touch on the planning system, and ask searchingquestions about how local and national government manage the process. How much of a voice dolocal communities have? How will further devolution of planning decisions impact upon ourenvironment? What does conservation mean to the ‘IKEA generation’?

As ever, there is a hearty round-up of the AHSS’s regional group activities and casework, along withsome in-depth reports from recent workshops and conferences, as well as previews of forthcomingevents. Of particular note is our AGM, which will take place 2nd of November. It will include a tour ofthe newly extended Kirk House, part of the historic Greyfriars site, in Edinburgh. This will be awonderful opportunity to hear more about the work of the AHSS, meet fellow supporters andexplore an exciting new addition to Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.

I hope that you enjoy this issue and find plenty to stimulate and inspire you.

Abigail Daly

Autumn 2013 l No. 34

PresidentSimon Green MA, FSA, FSA Scot

ChairmanPeter Drummond RIAS, RIBA

Hon Treasurer Hamish Macbeth MRICS

EditorAbigail DalyRuskin Lane Consulting

Reviews EditorMark Cousins ARIAS, FRSA

DesignPinpoint Scotland Ltd.

NATIONAL OFFICEThe Architectural Heritage Society of ScotlandRiddle’s Court322 LawnmarketEdinburgh EH1 2PGT 0131 557 0019E [email protected]

© AHSS and contributors, 2013The opinions expressed by contributorsin this publication are not necessarilythose of the AHSS. The Societyapologises for any errors or inadvertentinfringements of copyright. TheArchitectural Heritage Society ofScotland is a charity registered inScotland, No. SC007554. The Societyis a registered Company Limited byGuarantee, No. SC356726.

The AHSS gratefully acknowledgesassistance from Historic Scotlandtowards the production costs of theAHSS Magazine.

The AHSS gratefully acknowledgesassistance from the Royal Commissionon the Ancient and HistoricalMonuments of Scotland with archiveimage reproduction and towardsproduction costs of the AHSSMagazine.

AHSS

We would like to present more views from our members in this magazine. If there are projects,cases, buildings or debates that you feel strongly about, send us a letter to the national office,preferably, by email marked ‘Magazine Letters’. Please make sure you include your contactdetails. We can’t promise to include them all, but we will try and publish a good selection.

Cover image: The dome of theKing’s Theatre, Edinburgh,showing John Byrne’s Mural. ©Smith Scott Mullan Associates.

AUTUMN 2013 I THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND I 3

contents03 Editor’s Welcome – Abigail Daly

04 View from the Chair – Peter Drummond

05 Newsround

10 Forthcoming Events

13 Events Reports

20 Point of View

22 Projects

29 Historic Scotland Listing and Designed Landscapes Team Update

32 RCAHMS

35 Book Reviews

38 Public Consultations

41 Members Area

41 Spotlight42 Casework48 Recent Activities

54 My Favourite Building – John McAslan

55 Programme of Events


4 I THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND I AUTUMN 2013

EDITORIAL

View from the Chair

It would, perhaps, have beenappropriate for my final ‘view fromthe chair’ to have opened with aquote from Ruskin, Morris, Lorimer,or one of the other names so

familiar to us all. Or perhaps passingreference to the compelling preamble inNPPG18 regarding the importance ofarchitecture generally, and built heritage inparticular, as a cornerstone of ourenvironment. Instead I find myself reminded of the

observation by Vincent Scully, Professor ofArt in Architecture at Yale University, that“Architecture is a continuing dialoguebetween generations which creates anenvironment across time.”Few of us would argue with the basic

premise. However, as with every

conversation, some voices speak louder,though not necessarily more wisely, thanothers. Often it is the reflective andexperienced voice that provides a moremeasured view, albeit not always one whichis popular. You will rightly identify that Iview the Society in the latter role, trying tomaintain dialogue in the face of capriciousMammon. I took on the role of National Chairman

in May 2008, just as recession took hold,and at a time when pressure on our builtenvironment, and the Society, has beengreater than for many, many years.The challenges were many: to take in

hand the structural deficit which was eatinginto our reserves, secure revenue funding,and find a viable long-term future for theGlasite Meeting House, our home for manyyears.Overcoming these issues took much

hard work and many difficult decisions.Expenditure was trimmed back to the bareminimum, but at the cost of losing somededicated and hard-working members ofour often unseen National Office team.We secured funding from Historic Scotlandand RCAHMS for our educational andoutreach work, whilst the R & SB ClarkCharitable Trust has provided support for

casework activities. Surprisingly, several localauthorities have also been able to assist us. The final piece in the jigsaw came when

Scottish Historic Building Trust took oncustodianship of the Glasite MeetingHouse. This was very much a team effort.Members of Council and the GlasiteMeeting House Trust gave their time andexpertise in huge quantities, and for that Iwill be forever grateful.A wider assessment of the Society’s

accomplishments can be read in theenclosed AGM papers. However, one isworth highlighting in particular. I have beencontinually struck by the dedication shownby the area groups in their casework andeducational activities. Their pursuit of goodplanning decisions and efforts to raiseawareness of our built heritage areimportant contributions towards theongoing protection of our heritage. A final quotation, this time a Gaelic one

heard often in my childhood, “B’fhearr a bhisàmhach na droch dhàn a ghabhail”.Broadly translated, it means ‘better be silentthan sing a bad song’. I hope that the voicesmaking up the Society’s songs hold theirsteady tune and lead the way for other, lessharmonious, voices to join in.

VIEW FROM THE CHAIR

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) is a charitableorganisation and has no financial endowment. Making a donation or leaving a giftto the Society in your will are two of the most significant and meaningful ways toshow your support. Donations, whatever their size, are essential in helping us toachieve our goals.

A legacy to the AHSS can also be a valuable way of reducing inheritance-taxliability on your estate, because legacies to a registered charity are tax-free.Allowing the AHSS some discretion over how your legacy is allocated will ensureit supports the Society's long term needs. However, if you want your legacy tosupport a particular activity, this can be specified.

You can help the Society further by completing a Gift AidDeclaration. A Declaration can be made retrospectively to 6April 2001 and does not commit you to making anydonations in the future.

The Society will be able to claim back 25p tax for each £1 you have donated. Membershipsubscriptions can be treated as Gift Aid donations. A Gift Aid declaration is incorporated intothe membership form. This form should be used if you are already a member or if you aremaking a donation to the Society which is not a membership subscription.

support us...and help protect Scotland's

architectural heritage

PeterDrummondNational Chairman,AHSS



NEWSROUND

One of the greatest andpotentially most enduringcontributions to the world of

Scottish architectural history in recentdecades is that of John Gifford, whodied on 13th June 2013. In late 1972 John, or ‘Johnnie’, was

invited to consider moving toEdinburgh to work on the then-fledgling Buildings of Scotland project –an extension of Sir Nikolaus Pevsner’scounty architectural guide series, TheBuildings of England. The idea of aScottish series was first raised withPevsner by Andor Gomme in 1958,but it was not until the late 1960s thatthe idea developed into a reality. By1973, Colin McWilliam, alongsideDavid Walker who had been incorrespondence with Pevsner as farback as 1964, was formulating aprogramme of research and authorship to cover the entirecountry. A small, select and close-knit team was gatheredto begin the task, with detailed research at the core oftheir activity. The inaugural Scottish volume, Lothian (exceptEdinburgh), by Colin McWilliam (1978), was in hand, butthe need for a professional researcher was recognised andthis was where John’s talent was invaluable. From 1973 onwards John became a paid author-

researcher, initially supported by the National Trust forScotland. At this crucial early stage, and for some timeafter, the Trust provided much-needed support. John’s dualrole as the Buildings of Scotland lead-researcher and writerwas one he continued for the remainder of his life. It wasthrough these years of assiduous, rigorous, and at timesthankless research, that the Buildings of Scotland seriesderived their well-earned reputation as the greatest singlereference source on Scottish architectural history. Johnprovided the Scottish series with the modern standardsnecessary for this status, at first by scanning publications forScottish references before moving towards archivalresearch. In the process, he produced countless pages ofnew-found data, all set out in his distinctive and beautifullylucid handwriting. Today, these notes are mostly depositedin the National Monuments Record of Scotland, wherethey remain together as a unified national collection, andthey are freely available for researchers, as John would havestrongly wished. Inevitably, the rate of progress on The Buildings of

Scotland slowed down a little when, in 1976, John wasappointed Investigator of Historic Buildings within theHistoric Buildings Branch of the Scottish DevelopmentDepartment, the predecessor of Historic Scotland. ThePrincipal Inspector in those years was David Walker. Again,there was an acknowledged need to achieve higheracademic standards within the government bodyresponsible for listing buildings. After all, the process hadthe potential to affect people’s property, the legislation was

still relatively new, and the first attemptat producing nationwide coverage of listsusing a team of fast-moving enthusiastshad produced results of mixed quality. By1978, there was an emphasis uponprofessionalism and academicenhancement, and John stepped forwardto produce a revised list for Inverness,work that immediately established a newnorm for listing standards within theorganisation. For the Inverness work hebased himself in the area, combiningboth archival and field work, andestablishing himself in the process as theforemost authority on the architecturalhistory of the Highlands. In 1981 heproduced a paper on the Invernessarchitects for the then Scottish GeorgianSociety, now the AHSS, to share theresults of his research more widely. Thiswas the first in a long series of major

publications authored by him. In 1980, John left the Historic Buildings Branch and

became Head of Research at the newly founded Buildingsof Scotland Research Unit then based at EdinburghCollege of Art. Then followed the books - John’s maincontribution to scholarship. First came The Buildings ofScotland: Edinburgh (1984; with Colin McWilliam and DavidWalker), followed by Fife (1988), Highland & Islands (1992),and Dumfries & Galloway (1996). The first volume publishedby Yale University Press was Stirling & Central (2002, withFrank Walker), Perth & Kinross (2007), and finally Dundee &Angus (2012). A fruitful working partnership was formedbetween John and series editor Charles O’Brien at YaleUniversity Press. With publications from other notableBuildings of Scotland authors (sometimes aided by John), anear-nationwide coverage for the series was within viewwhen John was diagnosed with an untreatable cancer. Hewas on track to complete the volume covering Lanarkshireand Renfrewshire with Frank Walker, and had alreadyundertaken much work for the revision of Lothian.Discussions are now under way as to how to finish these. Throughout the history of the Buildings of Scotland

project, progress was hampered by practical challenges.Government grants were reduced to zero, and theBuildings of Scotland Trust, established in 1991 with theintention to support research and fund the completion ofthe series, was wound up in 2011 before the vision hadbeen realised. There were frequent problems over officeaccommodation and other resources, and subsequent tothe winding-up of the Trust, the project moved into John’shome where he continued to work on his dual role asresearcher and author, disregarding these relativelymundane obstacles in his single-minded pursuit of thevision of the project to which he had devoted so much ofhis life. Professionally, there was much else for John besides The

Buildings of Scotland. His biography of William Adam (1989)

John Gifford, MBE (1946-2013)

OBITUARIES



NEWSROUND

Whithorn Trust wasestablished in 1986, andcarried out two phases ofmajor archaeological

excavations on the site of the ecclesiasticalsettlement associated with St Ninian. Thecollection of artefacts, dating fromc.450AD to the present day, is used withinterpretative displays in the WhithornStory exhibition, to tell the chronologicaldevelopment of the settlement. Therelationship with other early Christiansites in the area is also explained. Thereinstated excavation site, maintained bythe Whithorn Trust as part of the visitorexperience, now comprises part of theScheduled Ancient Monument ofWhithorn Priory. 'Whithorn and St. Ninian: TheExcavation of a Monastic Town', publishedin 1997, represented 11 years of researchby the Whithorn Trust, and establishedWhithorn as a site of internationalsignificance with unique archaeologicalpotential. The centre in Whithorn nowholds an accredited museum, temporaryexhibition space, tearoom and shop.Skilled staff provide a warm welcome andadditional visitor services, including guidedtours of the exhibition space, priory ruinsand dig site as well as information aboutthe area more generally. Recently, due to reorganisation of the

Council, core funding has been reduced tothe extent that Trustees had to considerclosure. The potential loss of the Trust, andits wide range of activities, has beendescribed as a disaster for the area.Throughout its existence, the Centre hasprovided a cultural and community hub atthe heart of the town. In its activities, ithas worked with local people, communitygroups, businesses, schools and otherheritage organisations to explore andstrengthen people's links with theirheritage. It nurtures a sense of localidentity, improves visitors’ experiences andsupports the local economy. Benefits alsoaccrue in the wider region and at nationlevel, since the heritage of Whithorn isdemonstrably of significance given its rolein shaping the history of Scotland. The Trustees are now applying forfunding to enable them, through a periodof transition, to review operations,investigate new funding streams, widenand increase the audience base withinnovative use of new technologies,develop a new service offering to betterpromote the area thus bringing andretaining more visitors, and finally torestructure the organisation to becomemore sustainable in the future.

The Whithorn Trust

Janet Butterworth, Project Managerfor The Whithorn Trust

Whithorn Pilgrims Way, St. Ninians Chapel, Isle of Whithorn. Image © Scott Wham

accompanied and informed thetercentenary exhibition of thatyear ; he taught part of EdinburghUniversity’s building conservationcourse; and, most recently and evenfurther to his diagnosis, he wasworking on a book on Scotland’snational monuments which YaleUniversity Press had encouragedhim to develop. John knew a vast amount aboutScottish architectural history, notjust concerning ‘architecture’ in thenarrow sense but also embracingthe wider historical and socio-political-economic context. He wellknew the meaning of academicrigour including, above all, how toweigh up source materials aspotentially usable evidence. Hisknowledge of mainstreamdocumentary history wasimpressive and provided the widestcontextual framework for the localand regional studies in which heexcelled. John was one of the mostgenerous, modest, brightest,funniest and helpful of people,shrewd and with very goodjudgment. His prime physical legacyis what can now be called theBuildings of Scotland Giffordvolumes, and he has bequeathedthe rest of us the challenge ofpicking up that near-complete task,and of trying to live up to his ownachievement.Away from his writing, theEpiscopal Church of Scotland was acentral part of John’s life. Heappreciated his appointment asMBE in 2005, and was honouredwith an award of honorarymembership of the RIAS earlierthis year. John retained a strong affectionfor Angus, the county that is hometo his mother’s family. Whilst visitingfamily in Angus his conditionsuddenly deteriorated, and Johnwas admitted into NinewellsHospital in Dundee. As variousoptions were considered, Johnmade it clear he would be happy todie there, as he did, in the companyof his partner, David Bassett, and hisyoungest brother, Andrew Gifford,having received the last rites of theChurch from a local Episcopalpriest.

Miles Glendinning, AonghusMacKechnie & Diane Watters.



“Ruined castles tower houses and mansionshave survived centuries of abandon andneglect all over Scotland and during the past60 years not just dozens but hundreds havebeen brought back to life and use byenterprising new owners. Seafield Housemust not be allowed to join the long list ofover 200 major historic houses demolishedin Scotland since 1945.”

With these words, Marcus Binney,President of SAVE Britain’s Heritage,makes succinctly the case for savingSeafield House, the former home ofrenowned Scottish engineer andcontractor of the Forth Rail Bridge, SirWilliam Arrol. The campaign, supportedand spearheaded by SAVE, was launchedin October 2012 in direct response to anapplication for Listed Building Consent(LBC) by NHS Ayrshire and Arran todemolish this important B listed building,which forms part of its surplus propertyholding. Neglect by its owners and a fire in2008 caused damage to the building, butthe structure still stands proud, atestament to Sir William Arrol’sengineering and construction, innovationand expertise. In building his home in Ayr,Sir William Arrol integrated techniquesthat he had devised in constructing such

iconic structures as the Forth Rail Bridgeand London Tower Bridge. Faced by stronglocal and national opposition, the NHSTrust withdrew its application to demolish.The seeds of a single-issue group weresown: those involved agreed that a focusedcampaign to SAVE the building wasimperative.From its establishment at a meeting in

Ayr on 15 October 2012, Friends ofSeafield House (FoSH) has campaigned tosave Seafield House. At that inauguralSteering Group meeting, over 15 ofScotland and Britain’s leading conservationarchitects and engineers, architecturalhistorians, academics, authors,entrepreneurs and local residents met tolaunch the campaign and establish theFriends of Seafield House. The meetingwas attended by Marcus Binney, Presidentof SAVE Britain’s Heritage, who gave theopening address, and by representatives ofHistoric Scotland, the Royal Commissionon the Ancient and Historic Monumentsof Scotland (RCAHMS) and StrathclydeBuilding Preservation Trust (SBPT). Academics present included Dr Nina

Baker and Dr Beatrice Colin of theUniversity of Strathclyde. Leadingconservation engineer Charles Blackett-Ord was also present together with two

listed building owners: Robert Clow andMark Gibson, and Rob Close, author ofthe Yale Pevsner ‘Buildings of Scotland:Guide to Ayrshire and Arran’, who agreedto become the FoSH Chair. Two Arrolfamily members are involved: leadingconservation architect Andrew Arrol, whohas become a Patron, and Kirsty Menzies,who became a Founding Friend and FoSHCommittee Member. The meeting waschaired by Patrick Lorimer, ARPLArchitects who has become the FoSHarchitectural adviser.Marcus Binney has described Seafield

House as “a poignantly beautiful rooflessruin that stands empty and neglected andslowly decaying”. SAVE swiftly put intoaction a commitment to fund work thatwould halt further deterioration of thebuilding by offering moneys for guttercleaning. Thus far, the building owners haverefused this offer. FoSH continues to callfor essential maintenance to beundertaken.The house that Arrol built for himself

between 1888 and 1890 is in the Italianatestyle. In my view, it is one of the besthouses of that style in Scotland, andextremely well constructed. The architectswere Clarke and Bell, of Glasgow, withRobert A. Bryden the partner in charge,

NEWSROUND

The Campaign to SAVE Seafield House in Ayr

Marcus Binney, President of SAVEBritain’s Heritage, Donald Briggs MBE,Patrick Lorimer, Mark Gibson, CharlesBlackett-Ord and Rosemary Paterson atSeafield House before the first meetingof the Steering Group to establish theFriends of Seafield House, 15 October,2012 Ayr. Image © ELGATO Photography

Detail of Seafield House towerImage © Nigel Hackett



NEWSROUND

but as Sir Robert Purvis noted in hisbiography of Sir William Arrol, “[i]n itsgeneral features the new building wasdesigned by Sir William himself ”.

I agree with our architectural adviser,Patrick Lorimer that: "Not only is thebuilding iconic in the light of its originalowner, it is also a critical and vital elementwithin the historic landscape of this uniquepart of Ayr, it should and can be rescued.”

This view has been put most clearly byAndrew Arrol who, as Surveyor to YorkMinster, is in charge of one of the mostimportant and ambitious repair andrestoration programmes in the British Isles:“In my view Seafield House can certainly besaved. It is very well built of good durablematerials and potential has many years oflife ahead of it.”

In February, FoSH Committee members,Friends and supporters – including PeterDrummond, AHSS Chair – attended adebate at the Scottish Parliament on ChicBrodie MSP’s motion on Scotland'sHistoric Buildings. The motion includedmention of Seafield House and ourcampaign to SAVE the former home of SirWilliam Arrol. In her response to thedebate, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretaryfor Culture and External Affairs said:

“Conservation projects that are basedaround historic buildings benefit communitiesand can be outstanding architectural projects

in their own right...When a derelict historicproperty is given a new lease of life in acommunity, we all feel good. Let us not waituntil important historic buildings get into apoor state of repair. The key to goodmanagement is planning and early action...Ithank Chic Brodie for lodging the motion sothat this important subject could be debatedin the Parliament, and I extend my bestwishes to the Friends of Seafield House.”

An important recent development is thesetting up by NHS Ayrshire and Arran of aViability Group on which South AyrshireCouncil and Historic Scotland arerepresented. As a result, two consultantreports were commissioned with fundingfrom the Scottish Futures Trust. FoSH hasconsistently called for a full optionsappraisal to be undertaken, but this hasbeen turned down. Instead, a newmarketing phase – including a tailoredDevelopers Day – will be undertaken byselling agent Ryden.

Notwithstanding our calls for an optionsappraisal, FoSH is working in support ofthe latest marketing campaign in the hopeof finding a sensitive restoring owner forthe house. There is a concern that thismarketing campaign is to prove that nopurchaser will take on Seafield House withits acres of beautiful tree-clad grounds,eventually leading to a second listedbuilding consent application for demolition.

Our preference is to bring the building toas wide a public as possible: SeafieldHouse would make a superb residence,hotel or care home. Proposals forengineering colleges, homes for Veteransand flatted development have been put tous. All required funding that, so far, has notbeen forthcoming. There is considerableinterest in this unique house. We willcontinue to make the case for SeafieldHouse to be SAVEd.

Those wishing to see the house in itsfine original condition will want to visit theRCAHMS photographic record (CanmoreID 120298). Sad though it is to see whathas been lost, the collection gives suchinsight into the life of one of Scotland’spioneers.

Rob Close, ChairFriends of Seafield House

We would welcome the interest of, andsupport from, AHSS members in ourcampaign. We can be contacted on

[email protected] or visit our website

www.friends-of-seafield-house.org.uk,Facebook page www.facebook.com/

FriendsOfSeafieldHouse or Twitter feed @FriendsSeafield.

The splendid Crichton Estate and Campus, formerly theCrichton Royal Institution, was purchased by Dumfries& Galloway Council from the NHS in 1995 and wasplaced in trust for the preservation and development

of this important site. The AHSS has played a role as a Trusteeof the Crichton Trust since its formation. It has been one of thefour shareholders in the limited company that runs it and itsrepresentative has attended almost all Board meetings over theyears as well as voting at the AGM. The other three membersare Dumfries & Galloway Council, the Dumfries Chamber ofCommerce and Scottish Enterprise. It is now proposed that theTrust should be reconstituted as a single shareholder companywith an independent Board of Directors, and the AHSS hasbeen asked to relinquish membership. The AHSS Council agreesthat it is probably no longer appropriate for the Society tohave a direct responsibility for external organisations of thissort, but would expect the Crichton Trust and consequentlyDumfries & Galloway Council to make a committedundertaking to continue to maintain the charitable objects ofthe Trust and not to allow the revenues to be appropriated

away from keeping the Crichton Estate in good repair and use.Part of this commitment would be to keep a strongrepresentation for architecture and heritage by the new Boardof Directors.

The fortunes of the Estate do, however, now appear to beimproving, with the Memorial Church recently completing Phase1 of a full external repair and to a very high standard. The twouniversities are making encouraging noises about expandingtheir presence on site, which should lead to new uses for someof the presently underused buildings. The NHS is committingitself to continued use of Crichton Hall, one of the mosthistorically and architecturally important buildings on the site,and also the 1930s hospice. The church, however, requires moreuses than the current weddings and graduations to justify thelarge sums needed to complete the repair over the next severalyears. The future of the category A listed Solway House,formerly the Crichton Institution farm, seems as unclear as ever.These, together with the full refurbishment of the EasterbrookHall building for its 75th anniversary later this year, will give thenew Crichton Trust plenty to think about.

The Crichton Trust to be reconstituted



HLF launches new HeritageEnterprise programme

NEWSROUND

For some years, the Heritage Lottery Fundhas been one of the biggest spenders inthe UK on regeneration, primarily throughour Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).Indeed, THI has been extremely popularand successful in Scotland, with some 35schemes completed, in implementation orjust awarded, and stretching fromStromness to Wigtown.

To complement the THI programme,we have introduced a new scheme calledHeritage Enterprise (HE). This is aimed atassisting community organisations to bringlife and activity back into neglectedhistoric buildings and sites, and to unlocktheir economic potential. The focus has tobe on generating real economic benefit –income or jobs or both – and, unlike theTHI scheme, HE can tackle a singlebuilding or group of buildings. Applicationswill compete in budget terms withHeritage Grants applications, and awardsare available from £100,000 right up to£5m.

We at HLF are convinced there is aneed for this. We recently published apiece of new research titled ‘New IdeasNeed Old Buildings’, which demonstratedthat commercial businesses based inhistoric buildings in our towns and citiesare more productive and generate morewealth than the average for all

commercial businesses across the wholeeconomy.

Through Heritage Enterprise, you canbreathe new life into historic sites byrepairing, adapting and giving them aproductive new use. By funding much ofthe repair costs we hope to encourageprivate developers to work withcommunity organisations to delivercommercially viable schemes.

In THI and HE, we now have twocomplementary tools in our regenerationtoolbox. Good applications are needed tomake it work, and to get Scotland’s towncentres delivering their real economicpotential.

Colin McLean, Head of HLF, Scotland

The historic Briggait was restored, upgraded and reintroduced as a keyarts venue in Glasgow, with the helpof Heritage Lottery Funding.

AHSS Chairman, Peter Drummond, wasinterviewed by BBC Scotland for a reportmarking the centenary of the AncientMonument Consolidation and Amendment Act,which led to the creation of Historic Scotland.Peter reflected on the value of investing inmodest examples of architectural heritage intowns and cities and expressed his hope thatseveral more rounds of conservation arearegeneration funding would be found.

The Gartnavel Chapel, Calman CancerSupport Centre in Glasgow has been awardedBest Heritage Project as part of the annualNational Lottery Awards. Gartnavel beat thelikes of the Cutty Sark and Giant’s CausewayVisitor Centre in a public vote. The restorationand transformation of JJ Burnet’s 1904 chapelwas led by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust,and the new centre provides complementarytherapies and counselling, delivered for free tocancer out-patients, their family and friends.

80 buildings along Scotland’s canals will beassessed to see whether they are suitable forlisting. The project, led by Historic Scotland andScottish Canals, will also review 40 listed buildingsowned by Scottish Canals, and present theirfinding in a joint publication. Read the HistoricScotland update later in the magazine for moreinformation.

Kinross House has won the Historic HousesAssociation and Sotheby’s Restoration Award2013. Built in 1685 by Sir William Bruce, it isconsidered Scotland’s first neo-Classical mansion.Richard Compton, President of the HistoricHouses Association, commented, “It is terrific tosee the house coming back to life and beingfilled once again. Active use of the house isalready having a beneficial effect on employmentand incomes in the surrounding area.”

An application to redevelop the formerScottish Provident building in Edinburgh’s StAndrew Square has been put on hold, after thedecision-making process was called intoquestion by Historic Scotland, civic organisations,heritage groups and architects. They accuseEdinburgh City Council of sanctioning work thatwill result in the demolition of an architecturallysignificant, listed modernist building withoutcarrying out the appropriate listed-buildingchecks. The building has divided public opinion,and at the time of going to print, the building’sfuture remains uncertain. Read our Forth &Borders Casework Report for their response.

Planning permission for the V&A at Dundeehas been granted by Dundee City Council. Thisproject milestone will trigger the bidding processfor businesses interested in constructing KengoKuma’s landmark building.

Guidance for the HE programme isavailable on the HLF web site at

www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/programmes/Pages/

Heritage_Enterprise.aspx If you would like to read

‘New Ideas Need Old Buildings’, it is also on our website at:

www.hlf.org.uk/aboutus/howwework/Pages/

NewIdeasNeedOldBuildings.aspx


Greyfriars Kirk and the Grassmarket Mission have supportedthe local community for many years, in the case of theformer, since the 17th century. Most recently this has

involved working with homeless people by providing educationalactivities, drop-in services and opportunities for social integration. Having outgrown the existing premises in the Kirkhouse, a highly

significant site adjacent to the famous kiryard, the Missionapproached Gareth Hoskins Architects to extend the building. Aswell as creating suitable space for the many activities, the Mission alsoasked that a lettable community hall was included, providing avaluable income stream for their work.After the AHSS’s AGM, members are invited to take a tour of this

beautiful addition to Edinburgh Old Town. Details of how to bookfor the AGM, lunch, and tour of the kirk and graveyard can be foundin the enclosed form. There will also be Christmas shoppingopportunities at an arts and crafts fair which is taking place in thechurch that day.


FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Image ©

Gillian Hayes, Dapple Photography

EVENTS

Something for everyone!Saturday 2nd November | Riddles Court, Edinburgh

AHSS AGM and visit to Greyfriars Kirkhouse

The regular team took a welcome break from tour organisingin 2013, whilst our colleagues from the Strathclyde Grouparranged their highly successful, long weekend study tour of

Yorkshire, as a national event last June. The baton has been hastilyhanded back for 2014, and arrangements are at a very early stagefor a tour, likely to be over the weekend of Friday 1 (midday) toMonday 4 (late afternoon) May 2014. The plan is to focus on northeast Scotland, probably with a pick-up at Aberdeen railway station.The tour will be led by Simon Green and Adam Swan withadministrative support from Caroline McFarlane. The intention is tolook at the architecture of the region with a range of differentbuilding types and periods, focussing on sites not normally open tothe public. We start early, finish late, and keep to a rigoroustimescale, so it will be an extremely full weekend.

The cost of the tour is likely to be in the region of £400. Theamount charged is always represents excellent value as it includesthe cost of all visits, refreshments, meals and accommodation. Thesum also supports printing our legendary tour notes plus a donationto AHSS funds, so we are supporting the AHSS and the buildingsvisited rather than a commercial operator. It just couldn’t be done inthe same way commercially. We would like to encourage morerepresentatives of the emerging generations of active members tocome on the tour and so a few reduced-cost places may be availablefor those prepared to help out.

Notes of interest for these and for the regular places should bedirected to the national office, with bookings being confirmed by depositby January 2014. Email [email protected] or phone 0131 5570019.

National Spring Study Tour

View of the town ofBanff with JohnSmeaton's bridge overthe Deveron of 1779and the paired lodgesto Duff House in theforeground. Image © courtesy ofRCAHMS


The Strathclyde Group of the AHSShas been invited by the VictorianSociety to join it in hosting a

photographic exhibition that shows someof that Society’s most remarkablecampaigns. This exhibition, entitled ‘Savinga Century’, covers such efforts as thebattles for Liverpool's Albert Dock, StPancras Station, the Foreign Office andthe much-regretted Euston Arch. Theparallels with our Scottish architecture ofthat era are significant. Glasgow isconsidered by many as the city with thebest Victorian architecture in the world,yet there have been times when largeareas were under threat of being clearedaway in the name of “progress” and, sadly,much still succumb.The exhibition charts the successes and

defeats of an organisation that has donemuch to change public attitudes towardsnineteenth century architecture by usingarchive photographs and material fromover 50 years of fighting for historicbuildings. The exhibition’s curator isleading architectural historian, GavinStamp, known for his own efforts insaving Victorian architecture in Scotland.“‘Saving a Century’ tells the

extraordinary story of the battles thathave shaped our towns and cities”, saidChris Costelloe, Director of the VictorianSociety. “Without these campaigns, manyof our most famous places would lookvery different today. The exhibition is atestament to the energy and vision of theearly members of the Victorian Society aswell as a sobering reminder of the way

that public opinion and tastes in Britainchange.”As part of the exhibition, the Strathclyde

Group also invites you to a lecture by DrJames Macaulay, who is an author and formersenior lecturer at the Mackintosh School ofArchitecture and former Chairman of theSociety of Architectural Historians of GreatBritain and the Architectural Heritage Societyof Scotland. His talk will open the exhibition atthe Mitchell Library on the 1st of October.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

EVENTS

McGeoch’s Warehouse, Glasgow, built in 1905 by J.J. Burnet and demolished in 1971. Image © courtesy of RCAHMS

Readers will notice similarities withthe objectives of the AHSS. TheVictorian Society is the charity thatcampaigns for the Victorian andEdwardian historic environment ofEngland and Wales. It fights topreserve important buildings andlandscapes of this period so that theycan be enjoyed by this and futuregenerations. It provides expert adviceto churches and local planningauthorities on how Victorian andEdwardian buildings and landscapescan be adapted to the way we livenow, while keeping what is specialabout them. It also advises membersof the public about how they canhelp shape the future of their localbuildings and landscapes. It providesinformation to owners of Victorianand Edwardian houses about howthey can better look after theirprecious buildings. It helps peopleunderstand, appreciate and enjoy thearchitectural heritage of the Victorianand Edwardian period through itspublications and educationalprogrammes.

For more information, visitwww.victoriansociety.org.uk or call020 8994 1019. The Victorian Society,Priory Gardens, LONDON W4 1TT

free admission | throughout OctoberMitchell Library, Granville Street, Glasgow

Saving a Century: A photographic exhibition by theVictorian Society hosted in Scotland by the AHSS




FORTHCOMING EVENTS

EVENTS

Using its centenary as a launch-pad, The Royal Incorporation ofArchitects in Scotland, along with numerous partnerorganisations and with the active support of the Scottish

Government, has been shaping a year-long, nation-wide celebration for2016. The aspiration for the Festival is high, to transform the Scottishpublic’s relationship with architecture.

The last major celebrations of architecture on a national scale wereGlasgow’s City of Architecture and Design in 1999 and the Six CitiesDesign Festival in 2007. 2016 will be nearly a decade on from thelatter. The context is still ever challenging, and the need to improveappreciation and understanding of the benefits of a well-built future forScotland, ever more pressing. The 2016 events will focus on the builtenvironment’s effects on our economy and our wellbeing and willpromote awareness of architecture’s critical role in Scotland’s identity.

An ever-growing forum of enthusiastic sector representatives isalready engaged in designing the Festival and planning its content.With financial support from government, a round of consultativeworkshops was organised to give views from across Scotland. Theconsultation set out to measure the appetite for such an event, toagree what its priorities might be locally and nationally, and gatherideas. The seven sessions, facilitated by Dr Deborah Mays (RIAS) andNick Wright (Nick Wright Planning) gave voice to communities fromthroughout Scotland, from Dumfries to Inverness.

Each two-hour workshop considered the architecture of theparticular region, past, present and future. In Inverness, for example,the session mused on the impact of the Housing Expo in the areaand the challenges of flood prevention along the Ness. In Aberdeen,the group deliberated historic links to Scandinavia. The make-up ofeach group and the local concerns raised were enjoyably diverse.However, reassuringly, the collated results demonstrate shared goals.The findings have revealed resounding support for the outlinestrategy and goals drafted by the Forum.

Throughout Scotland, workshop participants wanted to see animprovement in public awareness of the benefits of goodarchitecture and better understanding of its impact. They agreed onthe need to demystify architecture and to develop public confidencein engagement with architecture, design and the planning system. Thedelegates found a great deal to celebrate in the quality of ourarchitecture and lessons to be learnt from its success. Architects andtheir work are arguably one of Scotland’s strongest cultural exports

and continue to make a valuable contribution to the quality ofScotland itself as a place to live and to visit. We should shout thisfrom the rooftops, at home and abroad.

Harnessing the energy of the young, hearing their priorities andempowering the next generation was a common focus across theworkshops. All ages matter and should be encouraged to participate.This was clear. However, there should be a particular emphasis onthe younger members of society.

Green issues and future-proofing figured prominently too, with athirst for adaptable buildings, information on imaginative re-use andhow to maximise energy performance. The value of our existingbuilding stock has arguably never been greater.

So where to from here? Armed with a wealth of ideas of what todo, how to do it, with whom, where and when, the 2016 committeeand our many enthusiastic partners can now develop the formalstrategy for the event. The AHSS has shown the way, taking theopportunity to plan for 2016 and contribute to our shared ambition,well ahead of the game. Thank you to those members whocontributed significantly to the workshops.

Dr Deborah Mays

Festival of Architecture 2016

Over the last ten years, there has been much research intothe architecture, clients, interiors, structure and the settingof Renaissance Scottish country seats. This research has

caused historians to take a fresh look at Scotland's culturalachievements during this period and has provoked a favourable re-evaluation of Scotland’s place in Renaissance Europe.

This conference offers the opportunity tohear reports of this research in the companyof scholars from the UK, France, and Hollandand to visit both Huntingtower and

Megginch castles. The conference will also celebrate the contributionof Charles McKean to Scottish Renaissance studies on the occasionof his retirement from the University of Dundee. On the Saturdaynight there will be a champagne reception, sponsored by the ScottishCastles Association, and celebratory dinner which it is hoped alldelegates will attend.

The conference organisers are grateful to the individuals whohave made donations to support the conference and to the RoyalSociety of Edinburgh, Historic Scotland, Scottish Castles Association,AHSS Tayside and Fife, Dundee Historic Environment Trust and theSchool of Humanities, University of Dundee for their sponsorship.

For further details and to make a booking, please visitwww.uod.ac.uk/newplatform, and for additional information, pleasecontact Sue Hewer on [email protected]

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th OctoberThe Conference Centre, Perth Concert Hall

A New Platform for Scottish Renaissance Studies

If you would like to hear more, please sign up to receive oureBulletins or drop Deborah a line with any constructive

comments or queries, at 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH12BE, tel: 0131 221 7507, email: [email protected].

Mareel, Gareth Hoskins Architects. Image © Phatsheep Photography



Simon Jenkins' description of the focus for this year's NationalStudy Tour was amply validated by the richness of the placesvisited - and not just the houses. Our large group saw one

cathedral, two abbeys, two churches, two castles, five stately homes,fine gardens, a literary parsonage, a World Heritage Site, and muchmore. Tribute must be paid to the physical and intellectual stamina ofthe members who kept up a good pace on the tour, and more orless kept to time!

With coach pick-up points in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, acoffee stop in Moffat on the way south provided the first historicalvisit , to the Buccleuch Arms Hotel, a Georgian Coaching Inn datingfrom 1760. In Cumbria, we spent the afternoon at Sizergh Castle, theseat of the Strickland family for over 700 years, and still lived in bythe family as tenants of the National Trust. Sizergh was granted byHenry II about 1170-80 to Gervase d'Eyncourt, or ‘Deincourt’, ofthe great baronial family of that name, passing by marriage to hisgreat-granddaughter Elizabeth, as sole heiress to her husband, SirWilliam Strickland, in 1239.The origins of Sizergh are as a pele tower, on a larger scale than

normal, with its medieval hall and later flanking Elizabethan wings. Thehall is largely obscured by the later Georgian front and Victorian

alterations. Of all the rooms, the most remarkable is the InlaidChamber, where the spectacular Elizabethan inlaid panelling is offsetby a finely carved plaster ceiling. During a time of financial constraintin the Victorian era, the panelling, which is inlaid with poplar and bogoak, was sold off to the V&A Museum for £1000 - with a further£400 for the bed. Now on permanent loan from the V&A, thepanelling, in a unique arched style, has been painstakingly reinstated.At the end of our first day we reached our base for the Study

Tour, the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate.Ripon Cathedral provided a suitably inspirational start for our tour

of Yorkshire, and a reminder of Scotland as in the 650s, the firstCeltic monks arrived from Melrose. St Wilfred (c.634-709), whofounded what was then an abbey, was one of the most influentialand controversial figures in the early English church. Of the originalbuilding, only the Saxon crypt survives. The present church containsseveral architectural styles Norman, Perpendicular and Victorian; andour cathedral guides ensured that we had a comprehensive insightinto the history of the building and its inhabitants. In 1836, RiponMinster became a cathedral, with the creation of the first newdiocese in England since the Reformation. Among the Cathedral'smost distinctive features are the mismatched pillars and arches of thecentral crossing. A quirky detail we enjoyed was found in the choir

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Sizergh Castle

Fountains Abbey Cellarium

Ripon Cathedral St Mary’s Studley interiors

Highlights from the National Study Tour of North Yorkshire16th to 20th June, 2013

“One of England’s loveliest counties and most richlyendowed with houses”



stalls, made by local carvers between1489 and 1494. The misericords, or‘mercy seats’, have ornately carvedledges on the underside, designedfor clergy to lean against during longservices. One of these carvingsshows the image of a rabbitdisappearing down a hole, and isthought to have inspired LewisCarroll, who visited Ripon during hisfather's time as a canon.From the relative bustle of Ripon

Cathedral we travelled on to thepeaceful setting of the great ruins ofFountains Abbey. Surprisingly, thisspiritual place arose from a disputeand riot in 1132 at the Benedictinehouse of St Mary's Abbey in York,where 13 monks were expelledafter unsuccessfully attempting toreturn to the early 6th-century ‘Ruleof St Benedict’. In 1135 the monksapplied to join the Cistercian order,and subjected themselves toClairvaux Abbey, in Burgundy, whichwas under the rule of St Bernard.The Abbey suffered many changesof fortune, and although in 1535 itwas the richest Cistercianmonastery in England, in 1539 thechurch was surrendered whenHenry VIII ordered the Dissolutionof the Monasteries. The Abbey’s precinct covered 70 acres, and todayit is justly famed as one of the most interesting of the ruinedCistercian abbeys in the country. Our party had time to savour theextent of the buildings, and the beauty of the situation by the RiverSkell.Continuing our religious theme, we visited St Mary's, Studley, a

church in the Early English style within the grounds of Studley RoyalPark, close to Fountains Abbey. Commissioned by the Marchioness ofRipon to commemorate her brother Frederick Vyner, who had beencaptured and murdered by Greek bandits in 1870, the church wasconsecrated in 1878. Designed by William Burges (1827-1881), thechurch was described by Pevsner as "a dream of early English glory...Studley Royal is (Burges's) ecclesiastical masterpiece". The exterior isof grey limestone, with a two-stage west tower topped with asoaring spire, and a spectacular interior of richness and majesty, withstained glass is by Saunders & Co.Ripley Castle provided a robust return to the secular world, with

its Tudor tower and substantial crenellated walls testimony to thechanges made to the castle over 700 years by the Ingleby family,descendents of whom still own the castle. On his progress south forhis coronation James I and VI was entertained at Ripley Castle by SirWilliam Ingleby (1546-1618) with a ‘make-over’ of the Tower Roombeing hastily undertaken for this visit. Despite being royal supportersoutwardly, the family were involved with the unsuccessfulGunpowder Plot. During the Civil War the next Sir William Ingleby(1594-1653) fought on the Royalist side at Marston Moor in 1644,where the king's forces were routed. Escaping back to Ripley, SirWilliam hid in the priest's hole whilst Oliver Cromwell billetedhimself in the castle for the night. Sir William's redoubtable sister isreputed to have held a bemused Oliver Cromwell at gunpointovernight.

The Chippendale family residedin Ripley village for a number ofyears and as a result, the castlecontains many examples ofChippendale furniture.

A hidden gemPossibly one of the favourite placesvisited on the tour was MarkenfieldHall, a remarkable hidden gem,which is believed to be the mostcomplete surviving medium-sized14th century country house inEngland. From 1570 to the 20thcentury, it was a tenantedfarmhouse with an absenteelandlord. As the current owners say,"there was no grand family herewith the desire and means to fill inthe moat, pull down the outdatedWestern range and replace it with a‘modern’ one. The house simplydwelt on, unchanged and largelyforgotten". Its relative isolation andtranquillity gives it a rare andremarkable atmosphere that manyvisitors have commented on, andwhich our group fully appreciated.Today it is the private home of Ianand Lady Deirdre Curteis, whowelcomed us to the house. She isthe widow of the 7th Lord

Grantley, thus continuing the Grantley family connection that beganin 1761 when they purchased the estate.The present owners have done much to restore the house to its

original state, but a 16th century visitor returning to the housewould immediately recognise the moated exterior and carefullyrestored great hall, chapel, solar etc.Rivalling Markenfield Hall as one of the group's favourite venues,

was Scampston Hall, a Grade II listed country house with aserpentine park designed by Charles Bridgeman and CapabilityBrown, and a modern walled garden designed by Piet Oudolf. Thehouse is built in two storeys of stuccoed orange-red brick with aslate roof and stuccoed brick chimney stacks. The frontage has sevenbays, the central three of which are bowed, the whole being ofelegant simplicity. The Hall was built in the late 1600s for WilliamHustler, and in 1959 Scampston passed to the Legard, or ‘Le Gard’,family, connected to the St Quintin family who had bought the estatein the 1690s. Sir Charles Legard conducted a witty and informativetour of the house, happily stating that the family had distinguishedthemselves through the centuries by achieving very little of note! Thebeauty of the house and the gardens rather belied that statement.Perhaps perversely, Castle Howard, one of the greatest stately

palaces in the country, did not inspire the same admiration or, moreaccurately, affection as some of the other houses. Designed by JohnVanbrugh for Charles Howard, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, constructionwork commenced in 1701, and continued until 1725, withsubsequent work going on until 1811. The Baroque style meant theinclusion of many decorative features with cherubs, festoons, urnsand statues all of which, being carved by hand, were time consuming,costly and required great skill. On the north side the classical facadeis in the Doric order, whilst on the south it is in the Corinthian order.The interiors were impressive, being in some respects more like a

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Castle Howard

Rievaulx Abbey



theatrical set or a cathedral interiorwith stone and Scagliola finishes, andwith a number of rooms havingpainted decoration by GiovanniAntonio Pellegrini. Possibly some ofthe reservations about the chillyscale of the house echoed thecomments of Sarah Churchill,Duchess of Marlborough, about oneof Vanburgh's other great buildings,Bleheim Palace, to the effect thatthe rooms were not suited to thehuman scale.Rievaulx Abbey provided a

soothing counterpoint to all thismagnificence, and on a warmsummer's evening the simple styleof the Abbey ruins, albeit still grandand impressive, recalled the dailyroutine of prayer and meditation ofthe Cistercian monks.

The Brontës at homeIn contrast to the splendours of thegreat houses, the Brontë Parsonageis intimate and poignant. Here, westood in the dining room whereCharlotte, Emily and Anne did themajority of their writing, inCharlotte's room where she died in1855, and in the Rev. PatrickBrontë's bedroom where he, andhis troubled son Branwell, died. Behind the Parsonage the moorsstretch out, and below the house the village of Haworth still evokesthe 19th century. An excellent lecture on the family and the writingswas supported by the quality of the museum.Remaining with the 19th century, we had an entertaining few

hours in Saltaire Village, a conservation area which was designated aWorld Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. Founded in 1851 by SirTitus Salt, a leading industrialist in the Yorkshire woollen industry, thevillage had neat stone houses, a hospital and an institute forrecreation and education, with a library, reading room, concert hall,billiard room, science laboratory and gymnasium. The Grade I listedCongregational Church, since 1972 known as the United ReformedChurch, is a particularly fine building. Salt's Mill, which closed in 1986,now houses a mixture of business, commerce, leisure and residentialuse, and the 1853 gallery has several large rooms given over to theworks of David Hockney.We had a pleasant lunch in the irreverently named pub, "Don't Tell

Titus", in a nod to Sir Titus Salt, who didn't allow alcohol in thevillage.Moving on to another of the great Yorkshire houses, we had a

private tour of Harewood House, described by Simon Jenkins as “aplace of dazzlement, a St Petersburg palace on a Yorkshire ridge. Itaffirms 18th century taste, 19th century wealth and 20th centuryingenuity, privately owned and superbly presented." David Lascelles,Earl of Harewood, notes that this has always been a living, changingplace, "an 18th century English gentleman's country house. Victorianhome. Royal household. Wartime convalescent hospital. Major touristdestination." This is a house, and family, of rich heritage.Built on the proceeds of the slave trade, which the family

sensitively acknowledges, and which legacy they seek to addressthrough modern educational efforts, Harewood House was built in

the 18th century to a design largelyby John Carr of York. In 1765, the 33year old Robert Adam wascommissioned for the interiors, andseems to have had a pretty freehand in the State Rooms, "His handcan be seen everywhere : in ceilingsand carpets; in elaborate decorationon almost any flat surface... and inthe choice of Thomas Chippendaleto supply the furniture." Thelandscaping is by Capability Brown.In 1843 Sir Charles Barry addednew attics, and tampered with “atleast three of Adam's gloriousrooms".From landscapes, to townscapes.

We had a lively conducted tour ofHarrogate by local resident andBlue Badge guide Claire Bostel,partly by coach and partly on foot. Via many roundabouts (some of

which we circled quite a fewtimes!), we took in the elegantMontpelier Quarter up to the edgeof The Stray, an apron of 200 acresof protected parkland fringing Highand Low Harrogate. We viewed theRoyal Hall, Mercer Art Gallery andRoyal Pump Room. We did not takethe waters... Lunch, and pleasurablestrolling, took place in The Royal

Horticultural Society's Harlow Carr Garden, on the edge ofHarrogate.

The finest house...?Celia Fiennes recorded in her diary, after visiting Newby Hall in1697, "This was the finest house I saw in Yorkshire." It must certainlyrank up there with the best this great county has to offer. Sir EdwardBlackett built the main block of the present house during the 1690s,designed with the assistance of Sir Christopher Wren. Recentresearch has shown that John Carr probably added the two wings tothe east of the house, and remodelled much of the main block,turning the house around and rebuilding the three central bays ofthe east elevation. Robert Adam was commissioned in 1767 tocomplete the galleries, and to decorate the Tapestry Room andsome of the interior of the house. The Adam rooms, many withChippendale furniture, are exquisitely beautiful, and the Grand TourStatue Gallery is a tour de force. This jewel of a house is set in magnificent gardens, created by the

current owner's grandfather. First he planted the great doubleherbaceous borders, flanked by hedges of yew, as a magnificent vistato link the south front with the river below. Then, off the main axis,he planned a series of formal gardens, each to show plants at theirbest for every season of the year. The gardens cover 25 acres.Our tour completed, the coach rolled us northwards, all cultured-

out but content!

Anyone interested in taking part in the spring 2014 study tour shouldcontact the national office.

Hamish McPherson, Joint organiser of the National Tour, withHamish Macbeth. All images © Hamish Macbeth

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Harewood House

Harrogate Pump Room



For centuries our churches have formed an important part ofthe fabric of our towns and cities, helping to define our urbanlandscape and providing a focal point for our rural

communities. Undoubtedly all of us are aware of the manychallenges facing this heritage. Duplication caused by denominationalunions, coupled with population shift and declining congregationshave led to redundancy and underuse. Understandably, congregationsare struggling to carry the burden of rapidly spiralling maintenanceand running costs, and this inevitably leads to unfortunate repairsand alterations to historic fabric. Of the strategies available to us themost obvious is to increase the occupancy of these buildingsthrough extended use, in other words to combine church,community and cultural functions. This is far from a new concept andis indeed a return to the historical use of churches which served asthe first true community centres providing for the full range ofcommunity needs.

Of course, these issues are not unique to Scotland and affect allcountries throughout Europe. In recognition of these commonchallenges a new European organisation, called Future for ReligiousHeritage (FRH), was established in 2011 to raise awareness of thethreats facing religious heritage and to provide a communicationplatform for the sharing of ideas and experiences. The organisationheld a conference in Venice from 14th to 17th November last yearunder the title ‘Extended Use of Religious Heritage’. The conference,which was attended by 86 delegates from 24 countries, heard

various presentations representing a wide range of approaches andperspectives. A number of topics were explored including theassessment of authenticity and significance, the potential of faithtourism, the impact of material changes to historic fabric and theflexibility of the different traditions.

Naturally high on the agenda was the issue of funding. There iswide variation in the heritage funding structures across Europe withsome churches receiving direct state grants, others support throughparish taxation, and a significant number solely reliant onindependent trust funds. For example, in Sweden, where the nationalchurch separated from the state in 2000, the church receives amaintenance grant from of the government of around €55 millionannually. However, this covers only a quarter of the actual costs andis received on the condition that the church commits to keep atleast 2900 of their 3500 churches open. Whilst there are advantagesand disadvantages to each model, there remains a significant shortfallwhich needs to be raised by other means. Commercial activities,such as nurseries, cafes, venue hire and faith tourism, are an effectiveway of offsetting these costs. There are of course limits to what areconsidered acceptable uses and interventions and these vary greatlybetween denominations.

Venice, with its wealth of ecclesiastical heritage provided a veryappropriate setting for the conference as well as the perfect casestudy of faith tourism. With a plummeting population who are beingsteadily priced out of the city, the churches are very muchdependant on tourism. Indeed the population, which was 170,000 in1951, has now dropped to only 60,000 residents who are servedby a staggering 149 churches. The city’s population is effectivelydoubled on a daily basis by the influx of tourists which is estimatedat around 55,000 each day (or over 20 million annually). They are

All

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Iona Abbey

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The Future for Religious Heritage Venice ConferenceNew European Forum for Historic Places of Worship

14th to 17th November 2012 | Venice

Extended Use of Religious Heritage



drawn by the architectural splendour of the city and its manyfamous churches such as the Byzantine masterpiece of St Mark’sBasilica. It should be said that many consider this numberunsustainable and are calling for a cap to be put in place to protectthe heritage and infrastructure. Don Gianmatteo Caputo, Directorof the Pastoral Tourism and Cultural Heritage for the Patriarchate ofVenice and Director of Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra, discussedhow they are managing this tourism. Of primary concern is that thechurches remain first and foremost sacred places and do notbecome simply museums. They have introduced a variety ofmeasures to ensure the atmosphere of the churches is notcompromised, whilst at the same time enabling as many people aspossible to enjoy their surroundings. In order to meet themaintenance costs they introduced the ‘Chorus Pass’ which, for €10,grants access to 16 churches across the city for a whole year,representing a substantial saving on the €3 individual charge.Although some may be nervous about charging admission tochurches, there are no charges during service times. The money isdistributed amongst the churches and makes a significantcontribution to their upkeep.

Whilst we may not be faced with the same issues of mass tourismin Scotland, faith tourism still has its part to play and is by no meanslimited to grand urban cathedrals. For example, Iona Abbey attracts40,000 visitors to the small Hebridean island each year alone. In ruralareas other opportunities which are being explored include thecreation of faith trails and pilgrimage routes. The Whithorn Pilgrim’s

Way in the Machars, which has the attraction of being the birthplaceof Christianity in Scotland, has drawn many visitors to the area sinceits inception in 1992. There are many other historic routes whichcould be reinstated and the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum wasestablished in February last year to promote the development ofnew routes.

The enthusiasm of the delegates was apparent and this resulted ina very positive and productive debate. The ambition is that all of thegroups will continue to work together to share ideas and developresource material. There is much to be learned from other Europeanexamples and there is certainly no sense in needlessly duplicatingresearch and continually reinventing the wheel. Cooperation isfundamental to the success of the organisation and in the protectionof our heritage, as Oddbjørn Sørmoen, Chair of the conferencecommittee and Director of KA Association for Employers in theChurch of Norway and Church-related NGOs, explained:

“We took a leap forward, opening the minds of practitioners of thepossibilities of extending the use of religious heritage, but also in terms ofEuropean co-operation to progress in this field. FRH provides the onlycommunication platform in Europe, for a field of heritage with expertsthirsting for knowledge exchange.”

The momentum created by this successful start will enable theFRH to keep growing and developing as a unified voice for ourecclesiastical heritage. In the words of Olivier de Rohan, President ofFRH and of the Sauvegarde de l'Art Français:

“FRH is a young organisation with much energy and enthusiasm. I saw

St Mark’s Basilica roof

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18 I THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND I SPRING 2013

The Church Buildings Renewal Trust held its annual conferencein Stirling Baptist Church under the title of ‘Church and theCommunity: Energy’. Roger Curtis of Historic Scotland began

the morning session with a look at energy efficiency in churchbuildings. This was followed by an informative presentation on themerits of LED lighting by Natalie Redford of Edinburgh based lightingconsultancy Light Bureau. Thereafter, Andrew MacOwan, the heatingconsultant for the Church of Scotland, led a discussion on practicalenergy solutions. The morning session was concluded by John Gerrardand Scott Wham who delivered a report on the conference of thenewly formed European organisation, Future for Religious Heritage,which they attended on behalf of the Trust last November in Venice. Inthe afternoon session Rebecca Cadie of ARPL architects gave apresentation on the low tech approach to heating churches. The twosessions were chaired by Brian Park and John Hume respectively. These presentations were complimented by two case studies, thefirst by Mike Adam of Stirling St. Ninians Church of Scotland, who

presented his congregation’s recent hall upgrade project which wasfunded by a 70% grant from the Climate Challenge Fund andCARES amongst others. Their efforts, which included the installationof air source heat pumps and insulation, had helped to achieve animpressive 67% reduction in heating costs for their C listed hallbuilding. This was followed by a very inspiring talk by the Rev. ChrisMacRae, from Kilmallie Free Church in Caol near Fort William, ontheir rebuild project. Their original building, dating from 1961, was indesperate need of refurbishment and it proved more cost effectivefor the congregation to demolish and construct a new efficientchurch community centre than to upgrade the existing building. The day provided much opportunity for discussion and wasenjoyed by professionals and congregations alike. The Trust launchedtheir website, www.cbrt.org.uk, which they hope will become auseful online resource. They would welcome the submission of anycase studies or other material for inclusion on the website which canbe emailed to [email protected]. Copies of all the conferencepresentations are available to download. Please visit the website fornews of future conferences and events.

Scott Wham, Church Building Renewal Trust

the delegates leave the event with a sense of excitement anddetermination to keep the discussions going in their home countries,which should be of great value to all of us.”The conference was attended by John Gerrard on behalf of theCBRT and by Scott Wham on behalf of the Trust and the Universityof Strathclyde. The CBRT has joined the FRH network and willcontinue to work closely with the organisation through thedevelopment of materials and sharing of case studies and

information. As part of his Masters thesis, Scott produced aguidebook for congregations entitled ‘A Church for the Future’,which provides a general introduction to the issues affecting churchbuildings and highlights a number of strategies and case studies. Thiswas presented to the conference as a Scottish perspective of thesubject.

Scott Wham, Church Buildings Renewal Trust

Venice skyline. Image © Scott Wham

REPORTS

EVENTS

Friday 17th May 2013 | Stirling Baptist Church

Church Building Renewal Trust Annual Conference

T F E


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The London Coliseum.(photo: Andreas Praefcke)

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FEATURES

POINT OF VIEW

In recent decades, Scotland has increasingly become a landof conservation contrasts. In this Scotland, the architectureof our capital city is, happily, immaculately preserved, whilehuge swathes of the country see increasing indignities

perpetrated on listed buildings and buildings within conservationareas. This disjunction is mirrored in the deep divide which hasopened between the relatively few publicly and lottery fundedschemes to restore historic buildings, where Historic Scotlandhas been able to insist on a high level, sometimes perhaps toohigh a level, of specification, and the bulk of work on listedbuildings, where such treatment is often unknown. It may bedifficult to find a conservation professional who has not slakedlime on a training course or study day, but difficult to find abuilder working on the majority of historic buildings who everuses it.

While theoreticians and purists look to internationalconservation charters and perhaps to a, usually unrealistic, idealof minimal intervention, the ordinary planning officer dealing withlisted building applications may well feel not unlike a marionette,tugged between the two strings of adherence to designguidelines, and to local and wider political will and initiatives. EvenHistoric Scotland’s specialist team of inspectors, intended toprotect the “historic built environment”, are now renamedHeritage Managers instead. Meanwhile, their bureaucraticorganisation, now with 1000 employees, surprisingly few of whichdeal with listed building planning applications, has given overresponsibility for B and C listed buildings to many localauthorities! One may wonder, indeed, if the entire planningapparatus will soon do anything other than manage, or ratheradminister, a system in which their own discretion or judgementcounts for little.

Such changes are themselves a pointer to decreasing publicpassion for saving historic buildings. Until the 1990s, historicbuildings were the attractive, though often bullishly denigrated orneglected, alternative to an insipid and largely uninspiringmodernity. Out of adversity came their lobby of supporters. Thatclimate has altered, as leading Scottish architectural practicesemerged with a distinct intention to produce contemporarystyled buildings with a seductive appeal. Soon old was no longer,necessarily, cool to the IKEA generation. Just when theincreasingly professionalised architectural conservation movementmost needed to publicise its very good case, it seemed leastconcerned with winning the hearts and minds of a wider publicthrough appeals and campaigns.

Conservation and the IKEAgeneration

Michael Davis, unveils a new independent project to helpput architectural conservation back on the agenda.

Caldwell Tower, after restorationImage © Michael Davis

Caldwell Tower, before restorationImage © Michael Davis


Yet, today, Scotland’s historic architecture is under real threat. Tojudge by the number and quality of buildings on the Buildings atRisk Register, it may well be considerably easier to abandon andutterly neglect a listed building than to gain permission to restoreone. And the growth of huge modern shopping complexes and ofinternet shopping is a ticking time-bomb for our declining highstreets and town centres, and for the rich and layeredarchitectural heritage they contain.We in the AHSS have a choice. We can take the softly, softly

approach, and perhaps hope that organisations such as BEFS, partfunded by Historic Scotland, or the IHBC will try to improve thesystem from within the conservation ‘establishment’, throughinteraction with government consultations, and through reports togovernment. Or alternatively, we can try to influence a widersegment of the public and the media in the hope that, by actuallyputting pressure on the political system from outside, politicians willplace a higher emphasis on the interests which are so important tothe AHSS. I personally have no doubt that the latter is the bettercourse.By creating a stir and by creating wider ripples of interest, I

hope, in a small way, to stimulate discussion and understanding,and to ultimately nudge conservation a little further up thepolitical agenda. I am beginning this process with an illustrated 100page study of the Scottish castle restoration debate of recentyears. I intend to follow this with further examinations of Scottishbuildings at risk and offer practical suggestions as to how to besttackle this complicated issue, including a study of our decliningtown centres. There is the need for determined and radicalsolutions before it is too late.Castles are an exciting and popular aspect of Scotland’s cultural

identity. The chateau-like houses of the 16th and 17th centurieshave a unique architectural identity and importance. Yet in recentdecades, the Scottish heritage establishment, or an influential partof it, has managed to knot itself with difficulties over whether ornot, or how, or which, ruined castles should be restored. My study,now completed, teases apart various strands within this tangle ofopen controversy and less obvious disagreement. Throughdocuments associated with Historic Scotland, through specificcase-studies, and through comments offered as part of theplanning process, now accessible on request, changing anddiffering attitudes are revealed. Castle Tioram and Stirling Castleprovide the crescendos, perhaps, but there are less well knownand interesting cases. Most striking of all, perhaps, is therestoration in recent years of Caldwell Tower in Renfrewshire. Thanks to advice which placed too great an emphasis on

retaining the silhouette and ‘the archaeology’ supposed tosurround it (which excavation had already indicated was“unremarkable”), the result is probably the most dismal

The Scottish Castle Restoration Debate 1990-2012

“There is undoubtedly a debate to be had on this issue, but all too often the debate has been far frompublic. It will be interesting to see what response this exploration provokes by way of open exchange. This detailed paper announces itself as “a paper to stimulate discussion and understanding”. It certainly

ought to do both, and I, for one, feel that this treatment is long overdue. It has the great virtue of treatingcastle restoration not as a detached issue but as part of a wider context. Michael Davis’s target is thoseconservationists who take a narrow view – who argue from the perspective of a particular discipline,without engaging with the broader views across the whole field of architectural conservation. His standpointis to argue for considered judgement rather than dogma from the planning system” Mary Miers

restoration which this writer has ever come across. It is a sadindication of the way in which apparently dogmatic adherence totheoretical concerns can lose sight of the wider intentions ofarchitectural conservation.

By the time this article appears, this study of the Scottish castlerestoration debate will almost certainly be in print. If you wish to obtain a copy, or make a much needed donation towards production costs of this and future studies,please contact the author at 79 Main Street, Ochiltree, Ayrshire KA18 2PE. Copies cost £12 including postage.

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POINT OF VIEW




Few people will have failed to notice the sharp risein fuel bills to heat and power our homes in thelast few years and in particular over the last longwinter. As a result, many people want to cut back

their fuel bills and may well be turning down their heatingjust when they need it most.

While some of the remedy lies in the carefulmanagement of domestic energy use and in shoppingaround for the best energy deals, there is a widely held viewthat the real solution is to make our buildings more energyefficient.

Of course, improving levels of energy efficiency may notonly be good for the bank balance, but can also bring widerenvironmental benefits through emissions reduction andsocial benefits such as a reduction in fuel poverty. Byreducing heat loss through the fabric of the building, forexample, it is possible to achieve lower fuel bills. Because ofthese multiple factors, government at all levels is keen thatwe take action to make our homes more energy efficient.

In recognition of this aim, building standards have beenimproved to take cognisance of energy performance. But asthe bar is raised for new-build, what is being done toimprove existing housing and older, more traditionalproperties, in particular? Does living in an older propertymean that energy efficient living is beyond our grasp?

Legislative Framework

The Scottish Government has set out its housing prioritiesin ‘Homes Fit for the 21st Century’. As a result of this andother plans – such as its widely publicised climate changetargets - it has published an Energy Efficiency Action Plan.The action plan sets out the framework for the ScottishGovernment's approach to energy efficiency and micro-generation. It focuses on the contribution these can maketo energy and economic development, their role inreducing energy consumption in buildings and transport,and in delivering climate change targets.

The plan states that: “In order to deliver the targets set inthe Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, we must deliver astep-change reduction in energy use and move to non-carbon alternatives … this plan reinforces the urgent needfor action on energy efficiency.”

It continues: “Improving the energy efficiency of the

domestic sector is vital, as around 29% of all energyconsumed in Scotland is used in our homes for space andwater heating, cooking, lighting, and running electricappliances.”

Specifically, Action 2.5 states that Historic Scotland willtake the lead in researching and promoting energy efficiencyin traditional buildings. As part of this it will:

i. carry out research and case study projects, anddisseminate findings to and through relevant partners,publications and digital media in order to improve adviceprovision, skills and qualifications for the public andprofessionals on energy efficiency improvement oftraditional housing; and

ii. include energy efficiency in domestic properties in itsexisting and future regeneration and grants programmes,such as the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme.

Indeed, Historic Scotland has published an online series ofRefurbishment Case Study reports. The reports cover aseries of projects where 19th and early 20th centurybuildings received energy efficiency and thermalimprovements. The examples include detached ruralcottages and tenement flats, and describe practical optionsfor improving the thermal properties of roof spaces, walls,floors, doors, windows, fireplaces and chimneys.

This summer and following consultation, the ScottishGovernment published its Sustainable Housing Strategywhich sets out its “vision for warm, high quality, affordable,low carbon homes”. Launching the strategy in June, HousingMinister Margaret Burgess said that by 2020 all homes inScotland are to have loft and cavity wall insulation, wherethis is possible, and every home with gas central heating willhave an energy efficient boiler with appropriate controls.

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Energy Efficiency and theOlder Property

Norman Kerr, Director of the charity Energy ActionScotland, discusses aspirations to make homesmore energy efficient.



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Grants and Assistance

For a number of years, there have been various grantprogrammes available to help people make their homes moreenergy efficient. Until recently, the main focus of theseprogrammes has been to install loft and cavity wall insulation,with central heating system assistance for some groups, and,more recently, the very popular boiler scrapping scheme.Current programmes have been widened to offer more

possibilities to those householders who perhaps cannotbenefit from cavity wall insulation or who do not have accessto the gas grid, for example.The UK Government has set up a framework for the Green

Deal, which is a departure from grant schemes and is insteadviewed as a commercial offering. Various energy-savingproducts can be installed in a no–up-front-cost arrangementknown as the ‘Golden Rule’, with the cost being paid off overtime (up to 25 years) via the property’s electricity bill fromthe energy savings made.

Meanwhile the Scottish Government has also redesigned itsprogrammes, now called Home Energy Efficiency Programmesfor Scotland.Some householders can benefit from grants offered by

the main energy utility companies under the EnergyCompanies Obligation (ECO). In addition to insulation andheating assistance for eligible groups, external or internalsolid wall insulation may also now be available. This is inrecognition of the fact that older homes might have solidwalls and that installing insulation on the inside or outside ofthe walls can dramatically reduce the heat that escapesfrom the home.Further assistance and incentives to householders to take

up renewable energy and micro-generation such as solarpanels or micro-wind turbines, are also available.These include the Scottish Renewables Loan Scheme, the

Feed-in Tariffs Scheme and the forthcoming domesticRenewable Heat Incentive.

For further information on the programmes and grants referredto go to: www.eas.org.uk or contact Energy Action Scotland at Suite 4a, Ingram House, 227 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1DA (Tel: 0141 226 3064).

Information on HistoricScotland’s Case Studiescan be found athttp://conservation.historic-scotland.gov.ukby searching under‘Publications’ for ‘Refurbishment CaseStudies’.



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The King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

In this article Rachel Simmonds reflects on the King’s Theatrerefurbishment project. Rachel acted as a Consultant for SmithScott Mullan Associates. She has an RIAS Accreditation inConservation Architecture and also teaches at EdinburghCollege of Art.

In 1906 a fabulous new theatre opened on Leven Street,in the Tollcross area of Edinburgh. Part of the well knownHoward and Wyndham chain, it was a variety theatrewith 2,500 seats over four levels. It was designed by twoarchitects, James Davidson, who was responsible for the

red sandstone exterior, and J.D.Swanston, who designed themore elaborate interior. This was the only theatre theycollaborated on, which gives it a uniqueness compared to themore prevalent Matcham theatres of this time. From its opening, the theatre has been in near constant use,

hosting a variety of different performances. Many famous faceshave graced its stage over the years, including KatherineHepburn, Sir Harry Lauder, Sir Lawrence Olivier and AnnaPavlova. By the 1950s it was in need of upgrading, and in 1951the first major programme of refurbishment works wasundertaken. This included the replacement of the entrancecanopy with the cantilevered one that we see today, and the


removal of the upper balcony area. This allowed the uppercircle to be extended back and its rake altered to form anenlarged upper circle. The intention was to improve thesight lines, which although partly successful, has resulted inthe rear section of this area feeling somewhat detachedfrom the rest of the auditorium. In 1969 the building was bought by the City of

Edinburgh Council. They continued to run it as a theatre,but by the 1980s the building was again in need of furtherwork. In 1985 it underwent an eight month refurbishmentprogramme. This included replacing all the seats with newtip-up seats in a cinema or ‘Pullman’ style. Sight lines werefurther adjusted, and the central aisle in the stalls wasremoved and replaced with two side aisles. The orchestrapit was enlarged, and the Viennese baroque auditoriumwas restored to its original colour scheme. The dome inthe centre was repainted with a new design based on the

four seasons, and externally some stonework repairs werecarried out. The King’s continued to be well used, especially during

the pantomime season, when upwards of 80,000 visitorscame to performances. This extensive patronage began totake its toll on the building and by the turn of this centuryit was evident that a further major refurbishment wasrequired. In 2010, the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)appointed Smith Scott Mullan Associates to undertake a£2million refurbishment of the building. This was jointfunded by CEC, Historic Scotland and The Nancie MasseyTrust. Their brief was based on undertaking essential fabricrepairs, along with improving access and general visitorexperience. The running of the theatre is undertaken byFestival City Theatres Trust (FCTT), who has a leaseagreement with the council. Their input was vital in relationto prioritising works within the relatively small budget. There had been a number of previous proposed

projects prepared on the building, none of which had beenrealised. We reviewed these and proposed a scope ofworks that would address all the main issues. Theseincluded a full roof replacement with insulation, extensivestonework repairs, refurbishment of windows and doors,formation of a new box office with level access to thefoyer, installation of a platform lift to the rear of the stalls,redecoration of the foyer, and installation of new seats tothe stalls and dress circle.The works had to be completed by the end of July


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2012, in time for the Edinburgh Festival in August of thatyear, for which shows were already booked. The theatrecloses for a short period in the summer each year, knownas a ‘dark period’. The initial plan was to undertake theworks in two phases, making use of these quiet times.However, for various reasons, the works ended up beingcarried out in one phase starting on site in September2011. The plan was to undertake the external fabric repairworks first and then move into the theatre after thepantomime, when there would be an extended ‘darkperiod’ from March 2012. This meant that the entirebuilding has its roof, and over 400 stones replaced duringthe time of year with the most unpredictable weather andlargest audiences. A full height scaffold was erected aroundthe building, and the contractors worked out withperformance times to ensure the works did not disturbthe audiences. One of the strangest requirements during

this period was that the layout of scaffolding should havespace by the stage door to accommodate show poniesthat were performing in the pantomime!

When access to all levels of the façade was available, itwas obvious that further stonework repairs were neededand these were undertaken. This included indenting andreplacing stone, along with the removal of previous repairs.The quarry that provided the original stone was no longeropen so a suitable alternative was sourced. Petrographicaltests were undertaken on a sample of the existing stoneto determine its composition. This allowed a close matchto be sourced from the Corsehill quarry.

Internally the firs t area refurbished was the box office.The existing box office formed a barrier between thestreet and the theatre. By re-orientating the layout by 90degrees, it was possible to create a more open planarrangement, drawing people from the street through into

the foyer. Although the design is contemporary, the qualityof materials used ensures that it complements the existingornate foyer. A large scale graphic of the auditorium on therear wall links what is happening in the auditorium withthe busy street outside. Well considered detailing, such as asliding walnut panel wall, now makes the space flexible forvarious functions. Its clean lines and use of a few keycolours ensures that it does not compete with therichness of the original interior.

Moving into the auditorium, the biggest change was thenew seats. The seats installed in the 1980s were notpractical in terms of comfort or sight lines. Working withtheatre consultants Carr and Angier, we re-planned thestalls and dress circle, to improve sight lines and installmore wheelchair accessible seats. Using a variety of seatwidths it was possible to straighten the aisles in the stalls.The new seats were designed by Kirwin and Simpson, and

are based on a lyric style seat from the period when thetheatre was first built. These are higher than the previousones and have longer backs, set at the correct angle foroptimum sight lines. Their style is also much more inkeeping with the design of the auditorium and the darktimber and cast iron frames, along with the red velvetupholstery, create a more elegant atmosphere. This wascomplemented by a new carpet that was speciallydesigned for the theatre. Based on historic patterns fromthe Brintons archive, we altered the scale and chosecolours to match the proscenium drapes around the stage.This rich red and gold carpet was also reinstated in themain stairs, upper foyer and dress circle.

Other works undertaken included essential repairs tothe ornate plasterwork on the boxes. A platform lift,installed in a former cupboard at the rear of the stalls, nowmeans that wheelchair users can enter in through the front



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of the building and arrive at the rear of the stalls.Previously they had to enter via the side lane, which wasfar from ideal. The main foyer was also repainted, whichhas enriched the space and drawn attention to the ornatecream and gold plasterwork. As with many restorationprojects much of the work is unseen to the visitor, such aswiring upgrades and improved ventilation. This has,however, made a great difference to audiences’ experienceof performances at the King’s.

One area that was not included in the mainrefurbishment works was the decoration of theauditorium. However, during the works, it was necessary torepair an extensive area of plasterwork on the auditoriumdome. The requirement to let this repair dry properlybefore it was repainted meant that the auditoriumdecoration required to be reviewed during the 2013 darkperiod. Research showed that the decoration to the dome

had been applied as part of the 1980s refurbishment, andcontained some areas of the 1950s scheme. It was a ratherbland trompe l’oeil that gave little impact to theauditorium. Following discussions with Historic Scotland, itwas agreed that a new scheme could be undertaken, giventhat there was a history of different dome schemes in thetheatre. The works also had to include the completeredecoration of the original auditorium. Having undertakena number of art commissioning projects in the past, Isuggested that this was the perfect opportunity tocollaborate with a prominent Scottish artist to produce abespoke art work for the King’s. This would add to notonly the audience experience of the theatre, but draw it tothe attention of the general public. There really was onlyone person to approach, both in terms of being at the topof their game in Scottish art and also in understandingtheatres – John Byrne. He said yes immediately to the idea,

and within three weeks had drawn a dramaticand inspiring design that the client approvedwithout change.

Timescales were restricted to five weeks forthe painting and, in June 2013, work began onredecorating the entire auditorium. A freestanding bird cage scaffold was erected and twoteams of specialist painters and decoratorsbegan the works. This included cleaning all the plasterworkand repainting every inch of the auditorium. John Byrne’swork was gridded into two metre sections and projectedonto the dome, where computer software allowed it to bemanipulated so that it aligned with the profile of thedome. From these projections the outlines were lightlymarked and then the design was painted by a team ofspecialists, with John undertaking some of the workshimself. The end result is an auditorium that once more

shows off its splendid Viennese Baroqueplasterwork to its full advantage. The dome isa triumph of contemporary Scottish art and itcaptures the drama and atmosphere of thetheatre exactly.

This has been an exciting and challengingproject to work on. It is impossible not to bedrawn to the rich history of the building and

the stories of the shows and people who have stood onits stage and performed to millions over the last 100years. Fur ther phases of restoration are planned for theupper circle, along with improvements to back of stageareas and the external lighting and canopy to the building.These works will ensure that the ‘Old Lady of LevenStreet’, as the theatre is affectionately known, continues toprovide a venue for shows that inspire and delight peopleof all ages.



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Beyond a gate and lodge house,and hidden from view by largetrees, is a large stone house,fairly imposing in itself, yet

concealing a greater treasure. This category A listed building, between

Dumbarton and Renton in WestDunbartonshire, was built in 1866-69. Thelisting text says it was for James Aitken,but I understand it was by John his father,possibly as a wedding present for his sonand his new wife. Monograms for themare found throughout the house. Mysource also corrects the spelling as ‘Aiken’.James was known as a local brewer, butthe father also sold wine and spirits andthe nickname of Brandy Castle wasapplied by the local community. It was to change hands and, during the

Second World War, the Royal Air Forceused it as a local headquarters. At the endof the war it accommodated homelessfamilies and later even cattle, becomingrather derelict. But in the late 1960s, itwas restored by a new owner. Then in1989, it became a nursing home, the rolethat it has today.The official listing describes it as “2-

storey, 5-bay, broad U-plan castellatedTudor gothic mansion. Battered basecourse with gunloop details; hoodmoulds;crenellated parapet on billetted corbelling;chamfered reveals; curved corners;corbelled bartizans; rope moulding, 2-storey, 5-bay, broad U-plan castellatedTudor gothic mansion. Battered base

course with gunloop details; hoodmoulds;crenellated parapet on billetted corbelling;chamfered reveals; curved corners;corbelled bartizans; rope moulding”.Listing descriptions can be quite amouthful, but it continues telling us thatthe interior has “scagliola Corinthiancolumns; coffered ceiling, modillionedcornice; heavy decorative cornice, pairedbrackets. Wooden Imperial stair”. Thestable building behind it has steppedgables incorporating a doocot and it, aswell as the gate lodge, walled garden andwest gatepiers are listed separately. The ceiling and hearths of the main

rooms are grand, but it is the stained glasswindows that are its real treasure. Thethree round arched panels depict mythicalcharacters. The central one is of the RedHand of Ulster, indicating John Aiken'sorigins. On each side stand legendaryfigures in medieval armour, somewhatmenacing, somewhat theatrical. All of thisis set off within richly designed borders,floral, geometric and architectural. Aselsewhere, the family initials appear in thedesign. The detail is extraordinary.The fine work is attributed to William

and James Kier. Michael Donnelly in hisbook describes the firm of David Kier(1802-64), their father, as perhaps themost important of Glasgow's early stainedglass producers. Known collectively fortheir extensive work on GlasgowCathedral, they were induced to installBavarian glass instead of British, with a

resultant influence of a more pictorial anddetailed style on local stained glass design.Perhaps the windows here express thatinfluence and prove what can be donelocally instead of importing stained glass. This Dalmoak House window is also

thought to be the largest in a privatehouse in Scotland. The pictorial anddecorative detailing is outstanding and itseems as if all the family members havebeen represented in the entwiningmonograms.

References:

• Michael Donnelly, Glasgow's Stained Glass,(1981). Glasgow Museums and Galleries.Reprinted 1985 by Smith Brothers (Kilmarnock)Ltd.

• Listed building textwww.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/sc-45600-renton-dalmoak-house-cardross

And many thanks to “Lairich Rig” for commentsand referenceswww.geograph.org.uk/photo/2773622

Dalmoak HouseThe Brandy Castle of West Dunbartonshire

Jeremy Watson, Chairman of the Strathclyde Group of the AHSS, has been investigatinghidden built heritage in West Dunbartonshire. Here he presents some of his findings.

All images are © Jeremy Watson


HISTORIC SCOTLAND

FEATURES


This autumn sees the Listingand Designed Landscapeteam busy wrapping uptwo very differentthematic projects. Thefirst, on signal boxes and

the second, on Scotland’s sporting buildings.We are now beginning work in earnest ona major project on Scotland’s historic canalnetwork, in partnership with ScottishCanals. We are also delighted to announcea new publication about the architecturalhistory of Glasgow University, and haveseveral new listing cases and otherpublications to tell you about in addition toour usual updates on the Dictionary ofScottish Architects and the Inventory ofGardens and Designed Landscapes.

Thematic work

In 1950, there were some 1000 signalboxes across Scotland’s rail network. Today,there are less than 120. Of all the buildingsdeveloped for the railway industry, thesignal box is among the most instantlyrecognisable, evoking a bygone age ofsteam travel. In 2011, Historic Scotlandjoined forces with Network Rail tocommence a review of all the listed andunlisted signal boxes in Scotland in advanceof further modernising work on thesignalling infrastructure. Similar projects arealso taking place in England and Wales. Wecompleted the review in May and as aresult there are now 7 entirely new listingsat Arbroath, Aviemore, Corrour, Dunkeld,Edinburgh, Elgin and Rogart.

Hot on the heels of the 2012 LondonOlympics, and gearing up for the 2014Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, theteam has spent much of this year immersedin a major project on Scotland’s sportingbuildings. Nearly all of the team wasinvolved in the review. We assessed some200 buildings ranging from small pavilionsfor bowling, tennis, cricket and curling tolarge stadiums and ice-rinks, and we nowlook forward to publishing a major retailpublication in time for the start of theGlasgow Games.

Scotland’s historic canal network is thefocus of our next major project, and surveywork is underway along the Union, Forth

and Clyde, Caledonian and Crinancanals. Timed to coincide with thedraft Scottish Canals HeritageStrategy, we are working inpartnership with Scottish Canals toreview all the listed and unlistedstructures on their estate. Our aim will beto update our listing records, review sitescovered by more than one kind ofdesignation, and seek opportunities toshare our findings and celebrate Scotland’sinland waterway heritage.

Publications

We are committed to publishingthe work we do and producinglandmark studies. A uniquecollaboration between HistoricScotland and the University ofGlasgow has resulted in a lavishlyillustrated new book about theUniversity’s architectural history.For over 560 years the Universityhas acted as a remarkable patronof architecture, employing the finestarchitects, engineers and craftsmen

of the day to realise its ambitions. BuildingKnowledge - An Architectural History of theUniversity of Glasgow, unearths theextraordinary record of these partnerships.Much of the material in this fascinatingbook has never been published before.Appealing to a wide audience this is aprestigious publication which celebratessome of Glasgow's most recognisable

Historic Scotland Listing andDesigned Landscapes Team Update

All im

ages are ©

Cro

wn Cop

yright

Stirling Middle signal box

Aberfeldy bowling and tennis club

Linlithgow Union Canal Society plaque

Building Knowledge book launch


HISTORIC SCOTLAND

FEATURES


buildings. Coincidentally, our other recent

publication may represent another aspectof student life! Pubs of Edinburgh andGlasgow is the first in our series of postcardpacks, designed to celebrate Scotland’smost fascinating buildings. It contains 20detachable postcards featuring some of thecities’ most historic and beautiful pubs.Both publications can be purchased

online from our website athttp://bit.ly/17dCgsz. Paperback copies ofBuilding Knowledge retail at £19.95, whilethe postcard pack is available for just £7.95.

Listing work

Since our spring update we have refreshedour web-pages. We provide more guidanceon how long a listing proposal will take andhave created a new and more informalspace on the website for posting projectupdates. We are also reviewing the styleand format of the list descriptions.Significant listing cases undertaken in the

last 6 months include the assessment of theformer twin gun battery at Carlingnose inNorth Queensferry. Operational from1902, this red brick and reinforcedconcrete structure was an early andimportant part of an inner line of defenceacross the Firth of Forth, protecting themercantile interests of the Forth.Carlingnose Battery had been scheduled asa monument of national importance in1996, but a subsequent adaptation foroccupation meant that a reassessment ofthe designation was necessary, as scheduledmonuments are not normally inhabited. It isnow recognised through listing and hasbeen listed at category A.We also listed the Richmond Hall in

Kirkoswald, South Ayrshire at category B inApril. This distinctive Arts and Craftscommunity hall was designed by theGlasgow architect James Miller in 1924, andis similar in style to his hall at Forteviot,Perthshire. The hall has a tall, taperedentrance bay, large windows and is aprominent building in the village.

Dictionary of Scottish Architects

The Dictionary of Scottish Architects isconstantly being expanded and updated toinclude new information. Currently themain thrust of our work is to obtain morecomplete coverage of the post-war period.However, we strive to make the Dictionaryas relevant as possible to the needs of ourusers and in order to do so, we havelaunched an online survey on theDictionary website. We warmly encourageusers to take a few minutes to completethis. The results of the survey will beavailable later in the year and we hope touse the results to shape the future

direction of theDictionary. The Dictionary

continues to receivemuch usefulinformation fromusers both at homeand abroad. TheSouth African BuiltEnvironment project(www.artefacts.co.za)has sent a range ofuseful material inrecent weeks. Similarlynew material arrivesfrom time to timefrom Australia. One such email

revealed the wholestory of JosephDoane, for whom

there was previously just a brief entry inthe Dictionary. Doane was born in NovaScotia where his family were prominentcitizens. He probably did not have a formalarchitectural training but learnt his skillsworking with his father as a carpenter andwith his brother Warren who ran ashipbuilding business. In 1852 he left for thegoldfields in Ballarat, Victoria, on hisbrother's ship along with a group of familymembers and friends. For several yearsDoane tried his hand at gold mining but,probably from lack of finds, and after thedeath of his wife in 1855, he turned toarchitectural design, cabinet making andconstruction superintendence. Heremarried in 1857, this time to a Scot. His

business was successful and during the next20 years or so he designed a large numberof buildings in the Ballarat area. In May1875 Doane and his wife sailed forLiverpool. They moved to Leith three yearslater which was the birthplace of his wife.He worked initially as a shipbuilder butturned to architecture, practising in Leithand elsewhere in Edinburgh for 12 years.The couple returned to Australia in 1887and settled in Melbourne where Doane re-established his practice and died there in1891. It is astonishing how mobileindividuals of this period were!

The Inventory of Gardens and Designed

Landscapes

Recent milestones include a refresh of ourInventory web-pages and, as with theDictionary, the launch of an online survey inorder to gather feedback on how theInventory is used, and to help us prioritisefuture work on its format and content. Our most recent Inventory addition is a

very unusual kind of site. CowdenJapanese-style garden, near Dollar inClackmannanshire (pictured right), wasdesigned and maintained by Japanesepractitioners in the early 20th century forthe explorer Isabella (Ella) RobertsonChristie (1861-1949). Although vandalisedin the 1960s, much of its essential layoutremains. It incorporates elements of threeJapanese garden forms; a pond and islandgarden, a stroll garden and a tea-housegarden. Celebrated in its hey-day as anespecially authentic and successful exampleof a Japanese-style garden in the West, itremains known as such in modernscholarship and is counted among the veryfew surviving sites of this kind and era inthe UK.

Historic Scotland’s Listing and Designed Landscapes Team

Historic Scotland

Further information about the workof the Listing Team can be found onthe Historic Scotland website. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/heritage

To discuss any of the initiatives inthis article in more detail pleasecontact the Listing Team on 0131668 8701/8705 or [email protected]

Richmond Hall


University of Glasgow, Gilbert Scott building. Image © Nick Haynes

Cowden Japanese-style gardenCarlingnose Battery

Commonwealth pool, Edinburgh

HISTORIC SCOTLAND

FEATURES



RCAHMS

FEATURES


Royal Commission on the Ancient andHistorical Monuments of Scotland

In this issue of the magazine, workfor the ‘Skills for the Future’programme is illustrated by LynseyHalliday's discussion of aspects of

the A C Wolffe Collection and KayleighRussell's presentation of two drawings ofstructures in Russia. Kristina Watsonhighlights the Thomas Hadden collectionof glass plate negatives showing decorativeironwork.

The Thomas Hadden Collection

A highlight of the RCAHMS photographiccollection is a set of about 216 glass platenegatives illustrating the work of the firm ofThomas Hadden, decorative ironworkerand smith.

Thomas Hadden was born in 1871, inHamilton, and came from a family ofironworkers. He founded the business in1901 with his brother Robert, awoodcarver, setting up business in EastSilvermills Lane, Edinburgh. In 1927 the firmmoved to Roseburn Street. Thomas Haddendied in 1940 but the business continued tothe late 1970s.

The business specialised in decorativeironwork and was commissioned by anumber of architects and clients acrossBritain including Pilkington Jackson andLeslie Grahame-Thomson. From the earliestdays of the business they were alsoextensively employed by Robert Lorimerfor works such as gates, railings and casketsfor projects including the Thistle Chapel,Ardkinglas House and the Scottish NationalWar Memorial.

The glass plate negatives held byRCAHMS date from c.1900-30, and showironworks for buildings including Busby GlenPark, Skirling House, Astley Ainslie Hospitaland St Conan’s Church, Loch Awe.However, the majority of pieces areunidentified or show finished products inthe studio before they were installed in thesite for which they were commissioned. Thecollection also includes family photographs.

RCAHMS has an active digitisationprogramme and is in the process ofscanning all the glass plate negatives fromthe Thomas Hadden Collection in order tomake them available online in the Canmoredatabase.

Kristina Watson, Collections Cataloguing Officer

Clockwise from below:

Wrought iron gates at SkirlingParish Church, Scottish Borders.1933. Courtesy of RCAHMS(Thomas Hadden Collection).SC13422324

Wrought iron coat of arms.Courtesy of RCAHMS (ThomasHadden Collection). SC1342323

Wrought iron gate. Courtesy ofRCAHMS (Thomas Hadden Collection). SC1342327

Wrought iron wall lantern andbracket. Courtesy of RCAHMS (Thomas Hadden Collection). SC1342322

Wrought iron gates at NewtonDon walled garden, ScottishBorders. Courtesy of RCAHMS(Thomas Hadden Collection).SC1342325


Two drawings of Russian works

associated with William Handyside

RCAHMS material, recently catalogued bythe Skills for the Future project, includestwo drawings of works in Russia associatedwith William Handyside. The drawings,which are not signed, may be by Handysideor an observer of his work. They reflect thedesign and construction processes of twobuildings with which Handyside was closelyinvolved.

Scottish engineer, William Handyside(1793-1850), arrived in Russia in 1810 towork with his uncle, Charles Baird (1766-1843). Baird had created one of the mostimportant engineering works in Russia, in StPetersburg, having emigrated there fromScotland in 1786 with Charles Gascoigne.They had left the Carron Company inFalkirk to establish new ironworks in Russiafor Catherine II. However, Baird branchedinto other projects such as steam-poweredengines soon after. After joining Baird in StPetersburg, Handyside very quickly becamerenowned as an engineer through his workon important projects for Baird includingthe installation of machinery for theImperial Arsenal at Kronstadt. Handysidebecame more involved with civilengineering and began to work with theFrench architect Auguste de Montferrand(1786-1858), on works including theAlexander Column and St Isaac's Cathedralin St Petersburg.Montferrand was assisted by Handyside

in the design and construction of the castiron dome of St Isaac's Cathedral.Handyside developed machinery to helpwith the construction of the dome, and alsocontributed to the more decorative workwithin the Cathedral itself, by developingnew methods of gilding and casting reliefs.St Isaac’s Cathedral in St Petersburg,

begun in 1818, is of neoclassical designreflecting the popular Enlightenment idealsof the time. In the drawing of the Cathedralheld by RCAHMS, only one of the fourporticos with its eight Corinthian columnsis shown. The dome is missing the angelswhich now adorn St Isaac’s. Furthermorethe depicted elevation is much moredecoratively restrained than the completedSt Isaac’s as it is without its now gold-plateddome. Handyside never saw St Isaac’s

completion; it took forty yearsto finish by which time he hadreturned to Scotland.In 1830 Handyside worked

with Montferrand again onthe construction of theAlexander Column in StPetersburg whichcommemorates Russia'svictory over Napoleon. Hespecifically worked on thedecorative reliefs found at thebase of the column but alsoon the erection of thecolumn. It is said it only tookabout two hours for aroundthree thousand men to fix thegranite column into place. Thecolumn is made of red granite

and has an angel holding a crucifix at thetop. On the plaque at the bottom of thecolumn is a message 'To Alexander I from agrateful Russia'. These drawings illustrate the high

standard of work Handyside achieved, anddemonstrate the regard with whichScottish-trained engineers were held by theRussian Court. They reflect Scotland'sreputation as a source of great architecturaland engineering talent.

Kayleigh Russell, Skills for the FutureTrainee

The A C Wolffe Collection

The A C Wolffe Collection was depositedwith RCAHMS by architect Antony Wolffe,as he prepared for retirement in 2012 atthe age of 91, after a career spanning 65years. Drawings and files relating to hisimpressive portfolio of work on domestic,public and commercial buildings in theDumfries and Galloway area, where hemade his greatest architectural impact, areheld for RCAHMS under charge andsuperintendence at Dumfries ArchiveCentre. In addition, RCAHMS holds acollection of material relating to Wolffe'straining and early career in Edinburgh andother parts of Scotland which provides thebackground to this prodigious achievement.This material has recently been cataloguedas part of the Skills for the Future project.Antony Wolffe undertook his

architectural training, and subsequentDiploma Course in Town and CountryPlanning, at Edinburgh College of Art’sSchool of Architecture, completing it in1944. The Town and Country Planningcourse, overseen by Sir Frank Mears, was tohave a profound influence on Wolffethroughout his career. After graduating,Wolffe took up his first post as planningassistant working for Mears on the RegionalAdvisory Planning Committee for a projectin central and south-east Scotland. He waslater to become an assistant to RobertHurd on a comprehensive town planningproject for the Isle of Lewis. SimultaneouslyWolffe established his own practice inEdinburgh on the Mound at 6 James Court;he later moved the practice to Gatehouse-of-Fleet in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbrightto where he had been led by increasingwork commitments and where he saw outthe remainder of his architectural career.The A C Wolffe Collection includes

drawings from Wolffe's architecturalstudent days at Edinburgh College of Art.These impressive drawings, especially his

RCAHMS

FEATURES

Alexander Column,St Petersburg,Russia. Courtesy ofRCAHMS. DP158495.

St Isaac’s Cathedral,St Petersburg,Russia. Courtesy ofRCAHMS. DP158494.



RCAHMS

FEATURES


proposal for a ‘Church in a Park’ as part of the Rowand Andersonstudentship competition, highlight Wolffe’s artistic side. They illustratenot only the more artistic elements of Wolffe’s work, but a certainidyllic appeal of a church set within a landscape.While a student of the Town and Country Planning course, Wolffewas asked to carry out a study of Scottish industry. The resultsinterested Sir Frank Mears and led to an offer of employment asplanning assistant to Mears, following the completion of the Townand Country Planning course. RCAHMS holds Wolffe’s collection ofwork from his study of Scottish industry, which consists of maps andinnovative pictorial graphs of population against coal and steeloutput, and illustrates how they had all grown immensely in theyears preceding the First World War. In planning terms, this is due toa simple correlation between employment increasing in an area, andthe population growing exponentially, resulting in a demand forhousing and other services and facilities.The A C Wolffe Collection holds the research work that Wolffeundertook under Sir Frank Mears for the Regional Advisory PlanningCommittee for the regional report that ran from 1944 to 1947 andwas published in 1948. It also includes the proposed plans for theIsle of Lewis as part of the Highlands and Islands developmentscheme that Wolffe accomplished as planning assistant to RobertHurd, who was planning consultant for the Isle of Lewis. Thecollection of material from Wolffe’s time as planning assistant to bothSir Frank Mears and Robert Hurd provide a compelling insight intothe development and progression of Wolffe’s early career.As well as material relating to Wolffe's training, there are drawingsdemonstrating Wolffe's later interests. Within the collection aredrawings of Wolffe's entry for the competition for the proposedpedestrianisation of the Mound in Edinburgh, which was held in1983. Here he returns to the area where he first set up in practice.The drawings Wolffe submitted for the Mound competition are anexemplary testament to his artistic skill, and show general designelements as well as decorative details such as designs for birdbaths.Antony Wolffe was asked to join the Dumfries and GallowaySynod Panel on visits to inspect the churches in the area, and hebecame a member of the Church of Scotland Advisory Committeeon Artistic Matters, which produced brochures on how to repair andmaintain church buildings as well as giving advice on design aspects.From 1990 to 2002, after many years on the committee, he becameChairman when he presented the annual report on churchproperties at the General Assembly. He was also asked to serve onthe Grants Committee of the Scottish Churches ArchitecturalHeritage Trust (SCAHT) which is concerned with churches of alldenominations. The collection at RCAHMS holds Wolffe’s materialrelating to the Church of Scotland Advisory Committee on ArtisticMatters. This collection is made up of manuscripts and

correspondence and demonstrates Wolffe’s commitment toencouraging church members to look after their propertiesappropriately.The quality and influence of Wolffe’s architectural work, specificallyon historic buildings, led to him being awarded an MBE in 1975, aswell as being recommended for several civic awards from 1959 to2013. Wolffe, at the request of Ian Lindsay, prepared draft lists for thesurvey of buildings of architectural and historical interest in Dumfriesand Galloway, and was a part-time inspector of historic buildings for30 years. Wolffe’s architectural work, within a historical context, isfurther reflected in his affiliation with several amenity societies,including the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (where heascended to Chairman), the National Trust for Scotland, theAssociation for the Protection of Rural Scotland (he served on thepanel of judges for APRS awards) and the Galloway PreservationSociety. Again, the collection holds many of the manuscripts of theprojects in which Wolffe was involved in collaboration with thesesocieties. These manuscripts provide not only extant examples of hisarchitectural work and advisory influence, but also present afascinating insight into his personal interests.RCAHMS is very grateful to Mr Wolffe for his assistance andadvice during the transfer of, and work on, the A C Wolffe Collection.

Lynsey Halliday, Skills for the Future Trainee

Left: Design for bandstand. EdinburghMound Competition, 1983. Courtesyof RCAHMS (A C Wolffe Collection).DP158197

General comments or requests for informationcan be addressed to Veronica FraserRoyal Commission on the Ancient and HistoricalMonuments of Scotland, John Sinclair House, 16Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh, EH8 9NX

t: 0131 662 1456 f: 0131 662 1477e: [email protected]: www.rcahms.gov.uk

Right: 'Interior of City Church,Esquisse'. Edinburgh College of Artarchitectural portfolio, 1943.Courtesy of RCAHMS (A C WolffeCollection). DP155082

Bottom right: 'Plan of City Church'.Edinburgh College of Artarchitectural portfolio, 1943.Courtesy of RCAHMS (A C WolffeCollection). DP155093



BOOKS

REVIEWS

Rarely does one get the chance to read thedistillation of a lifetime of erudite academicresearch but here it is. The importance ofScotland’s rich pre-Reformation ecclesiasticalheritage has long been recognised, withnumerous major monuments being in the careof Historic Scotland. Here one of their mosteminent historians, Dr Fawcett, examines ingreat detail the development of the church. Thisis a book that is not confined by the geographiclimits of Scotland but puts the complex story inan international context showing Scotland’smasons looked to the Low Countries and toFrance for their inspiration.

The book is, thankfully, arranged chronologically.Beginning with the early church before 1100, itlooks at beehive monastic cells, and themagnificent 10th century Irish influenced roundtowers of Brechin and Abernethy. It then moves to theflowering of the Romanesque celebrating such monuments asDunfermline Abbey and St Rule’s St Andrews. Every aspect isexamined from the great abbeys to fragmentary remains such as atOrphir or the reconstructed arches at Tyninghame. The transitiontowards Gothic is explained through the development of StAndrews Cathedral and the abbeys of Jedburgh, Holyrood andArbroath. The cathedrals of Glasgow, Dunblane and Elgin are thelynchpins of the Gothic maturity chapter. The creation of many ofthese buildings was a lengthy process so that buildings appear in anumber of chapters as they are altered and extended. GlasgowCathedral, which often gets overlooked having been left behind bythe Victorian city, rightfully takes a prominent position here.

The contrast, between the tourist image of the ruined abbeys intheir rural idylls with their clipped green sward and the cathedrals intheir urban settings, is particularly marked. However, all are treatedwith equal care and attention, and their importance clearly defined.The important roles of patrons and their masons is describedshowing how, in the earlier period, the influence of English exemplarshad been paramount but in the later periods influences are drawnfrom a more international range of sources. The resulting peculiarly

Scottish form of Gothic of the 15th century iscelebrated in buildings such as Roslin Chapel, StMichael’s of Linlithgow and the High Kirk of St Giles,Edinburgh. This Scottish reading and interpretationof the Gothic is taken further in the 16th centurywhen for example the crown steeple becomes arecognisable, if not exclusively, Scottish feature insuch buildings as Kings College Chapel, Aberdeenand St Giles, Edinburgh. The final chapter elegantlydraws together the complex arguments to aconclusion showing how the Reformation impactedon the church buildings that survived thedestruction. Glasgow Cathedral along with manyothers was subdivided to create a number ofsmaller preaching kirks. The narrative concludeswith two important 17th century monuments,namely, the church at Dairsie and the chapel ofHeriot’s Hospital, two late flowerings of ScotsGothic.

As the author develops the complex arguments, andexplains the context and development, the full glory of Scotland’ssurviving pre-Reformation churches becomes clearly evident. We losta tremendous amount with the difficult transformation from aCatholic to a Presbyterian country but so much survives and some iseven still in ecclesiastical use. This is a big book which covers a bigsubject which the author handles with consummate assurance. Thismust now be considered as the definitive book on the subject and isan essential source book for those interested in this fascinatingperiod of Scottish architecture. It is a rare treat to be able to readsuch an authoritative, well-illustrated book and, not being an expertin this particular field myself, it has been a real joy. The book isdedicated to Eric Fernie and it gave me the same excitement ofdiscovery that Prof. Fernie’s lectures gave me many years ago atEdinburgh University. The importance of the book has beenrecognised by the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britainwho awarded it their highly contested book prize for architecturalhistory, ‘The Alice Davis Hitchcock Medallion’, for 2012.

Reviewed by: Simon Green

The Architecture of the Scottish Medieval Church1100-1560

Author: Richard FawcettPublished by:

Yale University Press (2011)ISBN: 0300170491

Price: £50.00

Heat/Cool: Energy Concepts, Principles, InstallationsDespite the precarious state of the profession, and some architects’perception of books as (mere) luxury items, Birkhauser remain onethe most respected publishers in architecture. Their expansivecatalogue lists many essential monographs and critical texts but theycould never be accused of pandering towards the ‘coffee table’market. Indeed, in 2009 they launched an on-going series entitledSCALE intended as ‘practical tools’ for both practicing and studentarchitects.

The initial volume, ‘Open / Close: Windows, Doors, Gates, Loggias, Filters’,looked at building elements and how design evolves from initial idea tofinal realization. This was followed by ‘Enclose / Build: The Building

Envelope - Facade, Wall, Roof ’, and most recently a fourth volumeentitled ‘Support Materialize: Wall, Column, Slab, Roof ’, which investigatesload-bearing structures and building methods.

Volume three, edited by Alexander Reichel and Kerstin, tackles‘Heat/Cool: Energy Concepts, Principles, Installations’, and sets out toenlighten us on currently available heating, ventilation and coolingsystems as well as documenting how material properties affect thebuilding’s lifecycle. It promises to provide a foundation for efficientdecision-making and also ensure that energy considerations are fullyintegrated into the construction and design process.

The book is organized into a number of chapters: Introduction,External Factors, Internal Factors, Building, Plant and Equipment, Case


The Basel-based practice Christ and Gantenbeinmay appear quintessentially Swiss, in both attitudeand oeuvre, but they occasionally confoundexpectations by producing quirky, almost ethereal,works such as the Pilgrim’s Column in Mexico orthe Swiss Church in London.

Emanuel Christ and Christoph Gantenbein teach atZurich’s ETH (Eidgenössische TechnischeHochschule) and, in conjunction with theirpublisher, have initiated a series of books exploringissues relevant to their practice. The inauguraledition, ‘Review No.1: Pictures from Italy’, documentsa six week sojourn soaking up Italy’s historicarchitecture whilst ruminating on the notion oftimelessness and its enduring influence on theirarchitectural sensibility. In 2010 they presented an exhibition entitled

‘Hong Kong in Zurich?’ at the Venice Biennale alongwith the publication ‘Hong Kong Typology: Anarchitectural research on Hong Kong building types’.Their new book, ‘Review No.2: Typology,’ builds on thisexploratory thread and provides a platform for their theoreticalagenda. The core of the book is the transcript of a polemical lecturepresented at the ETH on 30th November 2011 entitled ‘TypologyTransfer – Towards an Urban Architecture’. The new book systematically documents 150 buildings from the

four selected cities. Each example includes a scale floor plan,axonometric, photograph and descriptive text. The specific architectis usually cited but these buildings are essentially anonymous andcomprise the sort of stuff glimpsed fleetingly from your taxi as youspeed into the city’s historic core or CBD.Although Nikolaus Pevsner’s classic ‘A History of Building Types’,

(1976) remains the definitive historical over-view of the subject, therole and relevance of typology continues to reverberate through

architectural discourse. In the late 1970s, forexample, it was adopted by some postmodernists,such as Leon Krier, as a touchstone providing asense of coherence and shared meaning at a timeof uncertainty. Christ and Gantenbein acknowledge this

‘baggage’ but focus their ire against investor-drivengeneric architecture and seek a more poetic, morecreative response to the particular demands of thecontemporary city. They view typology as offering asort of physiognomy of the built environment. Inorder to establish each project’s ‘essence’, theyprioritize legibility of purpose and spatialorganisation. Essentially they search “…for what canbe called the typological principle – the type. This typedecisively determines the relationship between buildingand city.”They have also experimented, by importing

foreign typological precedents in an effort tochallenge conventional expectations whenoperating in the constricted, and archly conservative,

context of Swiss cities. This contrived transgression canspark some interesting results as evidenced by the concludingsection of the book. Imagine the tower blocks of New Yorktransposed and transplanted to downtown Zurich?Park Books are to be commended for allowing Christ +

Gantenbein such an open brief and the luxury of time to assembletheir research, tease out nascent ideas and then coalesce thematerial into a series of collectable books. Certainly the book’slayout is supremely elegant and the designer Ludovic Ballanddeservedly scooped a prize at this year’s ‘Most Beautiful GermanBook Awards’.

Reviewed by: Mark Cousins


REVIEWS

BOOKS

Review No. 2: Typologies – Hong Kong, Rome, New York,Buenos Aires

Authors: Emanuel Christ andChristoph Gantenbein

Published by: Park Books (2012)

ISBN-10: 3906027015Price: £56

Studies and Appendix. The section on ExternalFactors, for example, illustrates how indigenousarchitecture has adapted to macroclimaticvariations. The authors demarcate the globe intoseven distinct zones: tundra, cold temperate,temperate, desert, steppe, savannah and rainforest.This in turn informs the design of the Arabian windtower, Mongolian yurt and Scottish Blackhouse butthe analysis is rather cursory and moves on to themesoclimate (regional) factors shaping the designof dormer windows in the Alpine foothills of LowerSaxony. According to the Editors' afterword, “The title of

the series – SCALE – reflects its aim of showing thereader how good, fully detailed plans depend ondifferent degrees of abstract representation anddifferently scaled drawings. These are crucial to theharmonious integration of design and construction.”

Unfortunately, this worthy ambition is oftensuffocated by a plethora of diagrams, graphs, mapsand charts which are printed at a tiny scale. It isobvious that ‘Heat/Cool’ is intended for theGerman market (‘Wärmen und Kühlen:Energiekonzepte, Prinzipien, Anlagen’) with numerousreferences to DIN and Bauordnung (BuildingStandards) but, having made the decision totranslate the book, the publisher should havepushed to make the data more relevant to a wider(UK) audience. Although Birkhauser might like topromote this somewhat expensive book as ‘anindispensable tool’ for every architect, theabundance of guidance notes and technicalminutiae are habitually lost in translation.


Editors: Alexander Reichel andKerstin SchulzPublished by: Birkhauser (2012)

ISBN: 9783034605137 Price: £42



BOOKS

REVIEWS

The Hidden Theatres of the Marche

Joseph Losey’s magisterial 1979 adaptation of ‘DonGiovanni’ employs a number of Palladio’s mostcelebrated buildings including his ‘Teatro Olimpico’(1580-1585). This Roman-influenced theatre inVicenza is lauded as the first purpose-built indoortheatre in Europe and proved an inspired settingfor Mozart’s grand opera.

Joseph Losey’s magisterial 1979 adaptation of‘Don Giovanni’ employs a number of Palladio’smost celebrated buildings including his ‘TeatroOlimpico’ (1580-1585). This Roman-influencedtheatre in Vicenza is lauded as the first purpose-built indoor theatre in Europe and proved aninspired setting for Mozart’s grand opera.This fusion of Mozart’s music and early Italian

architecture also acted as the catalyst for IanArnott’s new book ‘The Hidden Theatres of theMarche’. Born in 1929, Arnott trained as an architect beforeestablishing the award-winning practice of Campbell + Arnott in1962. Although now retired from architectural practice, he remainsan Academician of the Royal Scottish Academy and recently secureda travel bursary to part-fund his newfound passion for Italian theatredesign.His initial visit to Le Marche was back in 2006, when he journeyed

into this relatively isolated region on the wrong side of the Apenninemountains to attend a series of Mozart concerts in “…somerestored theatres”. As fate would have it, said theatres proved to bevery intimate venues, often based on the Venetian model of a U-shaped auditorium with tiered boxes, bedecked with gildeddecoration, trompe l’oeil panels and allegorical motifs, all remarkablyintact in terms of their original fabric and many dating from the 18thcentury. The fact that there were so many exquisite, still-functioningtheatres in such a small concentrated area captured Arnott’s interest

and proved the necessary spur to (self-) publishthis book. Most of the book’s photographs are bythe author and the text is peppered withanecdotal asides and historical details, such asMussolini’s propensity for 12-egg omelette withtruffles.The book explores almost every aspect of

theatre design, from procurement methods toproscenium arches to the iconography of thestage curtain. It looks at the role of theatre notonly as a place of ritual and dramatic revelationbut also as a societal structuring device. Here theaspiring bourgeoisie sought to affirm their socialstanding by commissioning a bespoke theatre –which eventually matured into a ‘TeatroComunale’. The theatre therefore was recognizedas an essential symbol of any civilized society and a

self-confident reflection of its local community. Thesurge in construction work was spurred on by an innate rivalrybetween neighbouring towns which resulted in Le Marche accruingsome 113 theatres - the most intense proliferation per capitaanywhere in the world. Despite the intervening years, occasionalwars and calamitous earthquakes, some 73 venues remain intact andmany benefited from a major EU-funded restoration programmebegun in 1995. The history of theatre as a distinct typology has been documented

by others but this remarkably cohesive collection of historic buildingsdeserves a wider audience and it’s encouraging to see the touristindustry slowly starting to market Le Marche now as the “…land ofhistoric theatres”. The Italians, therefore, are indebted to Ian Arnott forundertaking the necessary research and allowing his love of classicalmusic to evolve into this beguiling homage to an unfolding tradition.


Author: Ian ArnottPublished by: Matador (2013)

ISBN-10: 1780885369 Price: £15.95

Are you interested in the story of places of worship where you live? Do you value your cultural heritage? If so, why not become a member of

Scottish Church Heritage Research?

SCHR has established a project listing all places of worship in Scotland, past andpresent – over 10,000 to date. The aim is to record each site in its environment, and tophotograph both the exterior and interior.

Members receive an illustrated newsletter, and there are opportunities to take part inevents and conferences, as well as volunteering to help with recording.

The annual subscription for individuals is £10 (for organisations, £15, and for students £5)

Contact us at SCHR, Volunteer House, 69 Crossgate, Cupar, Fife, LY15 5ASTelephone 01334 844822 Email [email protected]. Website: www.scottishchurches.org.uk


38 I THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND I AUTUMN 201338 I THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND I AUTUMN 2013

QAre the overarching principles the right principles toguide our activities over the next 10-15 years?

The historic environment must be seen holistically, both in oururban areas and in our rural areas, and through this betterintegrated in planning policy. It is, however, one of a numberof sometimes competing issues and one which,unfortunately, does not always receive the weightingappropriate. Those supporting and promoting ideas of‘mainstreaming’ the historic environment must thereforeensure that the historic environment is at the heart of policy,not only in spatial terms but across other policy departments,including social/community, economic and environment.

QDoes the overarching aim reflect your ambition forthe historic environment?

These are good principles, but the informed decision-making,leadership and collaborative working at all levels, skills andcapacity at all levels needs a structure to enable and ensureit. A widespread lack of resources in local authorities,particularly in heritage care and planning, needs to beaddressed through enablement by the new body. Large voidshave occurred to date in such capacities which, despiteencouragement from central government, remain. This in turnplaces our built heritage at risk through inappropriatedevelopment. Given anticipated continuing financial pressureon local authority budgets over the short to medium term, itseems likely that such skill shortfalls may not be addressedwithin an acceptable timescale. It may be that these insteadcan be met through shared resources and far reachinglinkages, however this has to be proactively addressed bythe new body rather than employing a predominantly hands-off approach.

QDo the suggested high level, cross-cutting actionsprovide a reasonable basis to begin to take the Strategy forward?

In theory yes; in practice no. With the reduction of the role ofHS as watchdog at least at an administrative / legal level,across the council areas, there is now no body to ensurestandards and implementation of the criteria of ListedBuildings and Conservation Areas. This still needs to beclarified and strengthened, possibly through government.Listed building consent must be obtained where proposalswill alter the character of the listed building. Planningauthorities which have signed up to the Removal of Duty toNotify programme are no longer required to notify thedecision to Historic Scotland. We have major concerns thatlocal authorities may make decisions based on lowerstandards of understanding and appreciation as to whatconstitutes alteration to the character of listed buildings andalso conservation areas, or place undue emphasis on issuessuch as development opportunities.

QDoes the aim to investigate and record reflect yourambition for the historic environment?

This is extremely important; RCAHMS’ work has left us with anational collection and understanding of our built heritagewhich is unsurpassed within the UK and on a levelcomparable to the very best elsewhere. It is essential that thispro-active curatorial function receives absolute protection. Itdoes, however, raise other issues that need developingelsewhere. They include the obligation to record beforechange; the level of recording; the method of archiving andmaking accessible to others; the impact this can have onpolicy for retention, demolition, alteration, intervention etc andthe related philosophies on authenticity, anti-scrape etc.

Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland

I n recent months, the AHSS responded to threeconsultations: the Historic Environment Strategy forScotland, the Merger of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS,

and the Draft Scottish Planning Policy. Extracts from theseconsultations are reproduced below to give readers an ideaof our contributions. Please contact the national office if youwould like to see the full responses.

A Joint Consultation on the Historic EnvironmentStrategy for Scotland and the Merger of Historic Scotlandand the Royal Commission on the Ancient and HistoricalMonuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).

In his covering letter, National Chairman, PeterDrummond raised two key concerns:

“Firstly, Scotland has been particularly fortunate in thatthe vision of those who have guided the Commission hasleft us with a national collection of information on the built

heritage which is second to none. It is absolutely essentialthat this recording and interpretation role be carried on inthe new body. The experience from England suggests that,unless such duties are explicitly stated in the enablinginstruments, then they will be weakened or even lost intime. We therefore recommend, in the strongest terms, thatthey be specified and protected in a robust manner.

Secondly, and equally importantly, we are of the clearview that there is a need for a robust developmentmanagement process which recognises and protects ourbuilt heritage. Whilst we understand and appreciate ScottishMinisters’ desire to devolve decision-making to localcommunities, there is a clear need to do so in a mannerwhich protects historic sites and provides such additionalresources as might be required to do so.”

Public Consultations

CONSULTATIONS



QDo you agree with the functions set out for the new body?

Yes, but the way legislation and policy is implemented is notcovered. The implications for the rearrangement of governance arenot covered. There is no clear statement as to how the Minister canpreserve the functions of two organisations, protect all members ofstaff, and at the same time have a £10million cut in budget andproduce a resilient organisation which will meet the objectives of thestrategy. With heritage one of Scotland’s major industries any cuts infunding for the heritage sector will be counter-productive and a falseeconomy. What is required is increased investment.

QDo you agree that the proposed approach to thedischarge of Scottish Ministers’ Heritage Management functions is appropriate?

Yes, but the operative word is “discharge”. The new body should getgreater authority from this arrangement, BUT it must not be subjectto political intervention. This is asserted within the document, butguarantees are required. Staff within such a body need to be able tospeak out on from an informed and skilled point of view without fearof contradiction or indeed fear of loss of their jobs. There is likewise

a requirement for all decision-making to be undertaken in an openand transparent manner; there is a public perception, not alwaysincorrect, that decisions can be taken behind closed doors.

QDo you expect the proposed creation of a neworganisation to impact on you or any particular group of stakeholders?

The AHSS provides services complementary to the objectives setout here, working with central and local government to maximise theunderstanding of built heritage issues and help educatestakeholders. As such we get some financial assistance. It isimperative that bodies such as the AHSS are enabled to takeheritage through to the community as we operate more directlywithin it. But it is also important that they are able to constructivelycriticise where this is due without fear of political or other resistanceor bias. The new structure should be in a better position to moreeffectively facilitate organisations such as the AHSS through grantaiding as a way to reach into the community and ensure morethorough coverage of conservation issues. The AHSS for instancehas cases review panels in the major centres that peruse andcomment on conservation related planning applications.

Merger of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS

CONSULTATIONS

Draft Scottish Planning Policy

Sustainable Economic Growth

QDo you think that the measures outlined in paragraphs 15to 23 are appropriate to ensure that the planning system supports economic recovery and sustainable economic growth?

There should be cross reference to regeneration utilising existing stockincluding that considered heritage. Regeneration in this way oftenencourages greater diversity at a suitable scale while retaining a senseof place and community. Sustainable development and sustainableeconomic growth should be defined in the SPP and the governmentshould examine whether both are needed. The word ‘development ‘has a specific meaning in planning, as does ‘community planning’,which does not have a spatial element and the SPP should define thelanguage used and ensure that SPP is free from jargon.

Location of New Development – Town Centres

QDo you think that local authorities should prepare towncentre health checks?

Perceptions and hence the basis of health checks are on current /traditional ideas of what town centres should be. Many are failing andhave little hope of regaining their original roles against other factors,but can be regenerated on different criteria eg greater housingcomponents, greater social roles etc. This needs lateral thinking andwork-shopping. While such ideas are not new, they are onlybecoming into the greater consciousness now.

Housing

QDo you think the approach to how national parks addresstheir housing land requirements, as set out in paragraph 90, is the appropriate approach?

Generally yes. National parks though have a very specificresponsibility to the environment, not only in natural terms, but in thecombined synthesis of built heritage, independent or villagegrouping, within a rural heritage. This includes historical significance,but does not preclude modern interventions. New build and newinterventions must be sensitive to this. Mass soulless development isto be avoided at all costs within the national parks. Large mobilehome parks are the worst offenders.

Heat & Electricity

QDo you think that the proposed increased communityseparation distance of up to 2.5km is appropriate?

The noise and flicker factors are important. Visual impact depends onmany factors such as terrain and the nature of the urban environment.Actual view of turbines is not always detrimental, but some areas ofheritage value, natural or historic, should be considered sacrosanctand even distant visual impact must be avoided ie view of turbinesmust not be obvious.


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1 0 15:41:18

SPOTLIGHT

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“For he’s a jolly good fellow...”

...and so said all of us, as wecelebrated the 90th birthday of TomGardner in Harrogate on theNational Study Tour. Tom has longbeen a stalwart supporter of theAHSS, and behind every great man, isa redoubtable woman. AudreyGardner is a Vice President of theSociety, and has chaired theStrathclyde Cases Panel withdistinction, expertise and quiet goodhumour for many years. Together,they make an impressive team, andtheir contribution, year in, year out, tothe work of the Society deserveswider recognition.Tom and Audrey were founder

members of the Strathclyde Groupin the early 1970s, when FrankWalker was the first Chairman. Thoseearly meetings took place in theAbacus Room in the ArchitectureDepartment of StrathclydeUniversity. Tom had originally wantedto be an architect, but poor eye-sightprevented him from following thatroute, although his interest in thebuilt environment is evidentthroughout his life, in his paintings,and involvement with the AHSS. Tomand Audrey met in first year atGlasgow School of Art, but Audreypoints out with a chuckle that "wedidn't get going until third year!” Theywere married in 1946, and Tomtaught art in Stirlingshire "travellingby bus through the snow of theterrible winter of '46 – the snowcontinued into June", whilst Audreybegan her teaching career in theGorbals.In 1953, their first son Thomas was

born, and Colin arrived in 1956.Meanwhile, in addition to theirnormal teaching duties, Tom andAudrey were teaching the Saturdaymorning children's classes at theGlasgow School of Art, somethingTom continued for 40 years. “It wasmarvellous going into that buildingevery Saturday – the thrill of it neverceased”. In a different age as regardssecurity, the only lock on the ArtSchool main door was a singlemortice lock, which Tom diligentlysecured after the Saturday sessions.

In the last twenty years before theirretirements, Tom taught at Jordanhilland Audrey at Park School.Both continued their painting

activities over the years, Audreyconcentrating on portraits (two ofher portraits were recently used by afilm company in Melbourne as partof a film set), and Tom on hisdistinctive architectural paintings. Hiswork was recognised earlier this yearin an exhibition supported by Davidand Anne Mulhern, in the BilliardsRoom of the The Willow Tea Roomsin Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.Entitled ‘Through a lens of theimagination’, the exhibitioncelebrated Tom's “rapport withCharles Rennie Mackintosh – manyof Tom's works reflect Mackintosh'sbuildings and his love of colour andstyle. While techniques could betaught, imagination cannot...Tom'sworks reflect this, with his paintingsliberating shape and colour”.

Tom's lively personality, andinstinctive rebellion against authority,led to his founding the Scottish ArtTeachers Association, demanding, andachieving, graduate status for artteachers. He successfully led a moveto preserve a park in Hyndland, inGlasgow, which was going to be builtover to make a kitchen for thenearby school. This led to the areabeing given Conservation Area status,and the forming of a HyndlandResidents' Association, which stillflourishes.Both Tom and Audrey are still

“very concerned about thecontinuing threats to the builtenvironment – and we arecommitted to the Society and itsfuture”.Their example, and youthful

enthusiasm, remain an inspiration tous all!

Hamish McPherson

Tom and Audrey Gardner, Strathclyde Group




CASEWORK

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No headline cases this time tofollow the form of the last report.However, as always, the small

cases are constant and, by contributing tothe bigger picture, become equallysignificant. Although low profile theyprovide the typical input of applications fordormers, extensions, windows, shop fronts,fencing, trees, open space, and alsodemolitions. As the results becomecomponents of conservation areas, theycan contribute to preserving the “sense ofplace" and decisions can balance thepressure for change. Occasionally we lose out to the rhetoric

for change that construes conservation asdecadent. For example, our objection tothe demolition of a B listed school inLondon Road Glasgow, near Celticstadium was over ruled because theplanners were persuaded that the“heritage arguments” were “outweighed bythe case made for the economic spinoffs”generated by the development whichwould, according to the Celtic Park chiefexecutive's comment, “allow us tocompletely transform Celtic Park providinga stunning new public realm area”. Theapplicant refused point blank to considerany merit in adapting or incorporating partof the listed building for his superstore,museum, theatre, cafe, and ticket office. Demolitions have the most serious

impact on conservation because they areirreversible. Our objections to some aresuccessful, like a listed cottage in Maybole,Ayrshire and a building in West PrincesStreet conservation area in Glasgow. Inthese instances both were refused. Loss ofanother kind can be equally regrettablesuch as delisting. Historic Scotland informsus from time to time that a buildingthrough neglect or unsuitable alterationsno longer fulfils the criteria for listing. Apart from these disappointments there

are encouraging outcomes for the heritagethat survives. One unique decision was therefusal by Glasgow planners of anapplication for uPVC windows in a flat onthe High Street at Glasgow Cross.Celebrations! Celebrations too for aproposal that showed an astonishingrespect for, and understanding of, qualityarchitecture. A listed villa of Franco Gothicdesign, formerly adapted for a children’snursery in Broompark Circus, Dennistoun,has been proposed for full restoration to

residential use. The design brief explainshow this is to be accomplished withdetails of everything from historicbackground to fabric condition andrestoration requirements. It still retains itsmarble chimneypieces decorativedoorpieces, cornicing and a stained glasswindow. Upbeat too are two notable outcomes

from the Town Heritage Initiatives (THIs)in Govan and Bridgeton mentioned in lastautumn's magazine. Firstly, Govan OldChurch management group havecompleted their plan to create a newexhibition of the 9th and 11th centurycarved grave stones. Nicola Sturgeonopened the display and a month’s freeferry link across the Clyde betweenGovan and the Museum of Transport.Secondly, the THI regeneration ofBridgeton and Glasgow’s East End hasbeen given an award. The Clyde Gatewaypartnership has received the RegenerationAward from the Royal Institute ofChartered Surveyors. I think ClydeGateway’s notable communication skillshave had some input here. Continuing in this vein are two

interesting consultations that we foundrewarding to review. A reconsideredextension to Paisley Abbey was muchmore acceptable than the over-glazedversion of a year or two ago. Traditionalprofiles, proportions and materialscombined in an original new buildingbetween the cloister and the Place ofPaisley. We made some minor suggestions. Also interesting, and generally approved

by the panel, was the appraisal and masterplan for the management anddevelopment of Glasgow UniversityCampus, by Simpson and Brown. We weregiven a presentation of the EstatesConservation Strategy by a member ofthe University Estates Department. Whatwas interesting from our point of viewwas the evaluation of the importance ofthe historic buildings and the dismissal,because of their unsustainability, of manyof the 60s and 70s buildings. Dismissedtoo was the former strategy which saw anunremitting extinction of old Hillhead.Because of the eventual acquisition of theWestern Hospital site, new developmentshould be contained within existingboundaries. Redevelopment has already begun with

the demolition of a 70s building besideand behind the Students’ Union. I amcurious to see if the aspirations for qualitythat emanated from the appraisal willinspire the replacement building.

The Historic Environment Strategy for

Scotland

More promoted change becomes anotherlooming cloud of uncertainty over generalstandards that still survive the lastgovernment Planning Act. I am of coursereferring to the amalgamation of HistoricScotland and RCAHMS and the proposedpolicies for the historic environment. TheSociety's official response to theconsultation is covered elsewhere in thismagazine but I attended a BEFS workshopconsultation. It was well set up forgathering comments but I was left withthe feeling that although high principled,the policies could be ineffectual. Therewere no sticks or carrots. As for themerger, will the new body be effective inoverseeing conservation expertise inplanning departments, and how will thenew charitable status affect grant funding? Will any of the changes address a

dilemma so well expressed in a letter froma member of North Lanarkshire Council,who described the inevitability of the waycircumstances could determine the demiseof a listed school. The case could besummarised as follows: too many surpluslisted buildings on the market at one timeand no offers to lease.

The market’s response? Local developers not interested in heritageadaptations. Housing associations? Not interested in conversion for rented socialhousing. What about waiting until the marketimproves? Security costs against weather and vandalstoo expensive over the timescale formarketing. Outcome? Deterioration inevitable.

A situation of many problems for whichwe would like to see a system ofsafeguards and education aimed atavoiding such a scenario. There is still a lotto be done.

Audrey R Gardner

Strathclyde



Anne House Stranraer

Historic Scotland have received notification that it is the council’sintention to approve the application for listed building consent inrespect of the demolition of Anne House and its associatedbuildings. However Scottish Ministers have decided to require theapplication to be referred to them for determination. Theappointed Reporter will carry out a site inspection on 12th August,we hope for a fine day which will show the charms of the property.

Dumfries Conservation Area Character Appraisal

At long last this is being compiled and will be available forcomment. Many of the proposals will very much enhance thecentral area of Dumfries if carried out. However, it is proposed toreduce the size of the conservation area, which could bedetrimental to historic areas and structures not covered by listedstatus.

Clement’s Store Kirkcudbright

This little, rather battered building, used until recently as a paintstore, is under threat of demolition, to be replaced with a twostorey house. The store is the last remaining original cottage in theHigh Street and still retains an interesting oak roof structure. Tinythough this building is, it once housed two families! It is situatedbetween two Victorian houses and would make an ideal restorationproject. There has been a previous application to demolish andrebuild with a pastiche house, which was fortunately refused.Further along the High Street there is an excellent example of howa careful restoration can bring early houses back into occupation.This building had been divided and both cottages were in an almostderelict condition. The new owner saw their potential and afterconsiderable research, has restored it with careful consideration ofthe original detail, and converted the properties back into onehouse. This house adds considerably to the High Street. A pictureof the paint store/cottage can be seen in Alastair Penman’s book‘Old Kirkcudbright’.

Ladyfield East and West

Both these houses, owned by the Hospital Board, are now surplusto requirements, and have been empty and boarded up. LadyfieldWest, formally called Hannahfield, is category A listed and builtc.1830. Described in the listing as ‘an exceptional design for anurban villa of this scale’, it had fallen into such a state of disrepairthat it had to be gutted, walls capped, and the remaining interiorfittings removed and stored. It is a Walter Newall designed house,described in detail in Loudon’s Cottage, Farm and Villa Architecture,(1839). Ladyfield East is a category B listed, compact villa and wasbuilt slightly later than Ladyfield West. Recently lead was stolen fromthe roof; however this has now been repaired. Plans have beensubmitted to turn both houses into flats and build in the policies.These are important houses and should have been properlymarketed as they stand in pleasant grounds and would have madeexcellent family houses accessible to both Dumfries town centreand the hospital.

Theatre Royal, Dumfries

This historic theatre has recently survived a proposal to demolish itwith an alternative plan now im place to rebuild it with modernfacilities. Fortunately, the Georgian house next door to the theatre,on Shakespeare Street, has been acquired by the Trustees. Planshave been submitted to link the two structures with a glassextension. It is now proposed to reinstate the lost features such asdoor casings and restore the sash and case windows in theGeorgian house, which were very poor replicas of the originals.There is also a horse ramp still in place behind the house, anunusual feature, which was used to transport goods to the upperfloor. Hopefully this will be retained.

Patricia Woodley

Dumfries & Galloway

CASEWORK

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Clements Store, Kirkcudbright

Restored House in Kirkcudbright



CASEWORK

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Clearly, I'm not the first to feel a lone voice crying in thewilderness. Looking back over earlier reports almosteverything we opposed has come to pass.

In the St Andrews conservation area the Brutalist 1970s eraStudents’ Union is currently being refaced with glass curtain walling,the only concession being that multi-coloured fascia panels will notnow be used. At the foot of Westburn Lane, opposite the ButeMedical Building, an array of three and four storey blocks of flats willbe built. We thought them too high and disruptive to the streetpattern. Meanwhile, South Street will suffer a demolition at the Argos sitealthough the buildings to go are unexceptional and date to around1970. At street level there will be little change and student-typeflats will be packed in behind the new facade.In fact, our comments often result in an application beingconsidered by councillors, rather than officials, or lead to minorconcessions being made such as retaining pantiled dormers whenthe architect wanted slate, for example at Balfour Place.In Anstruther we opposed the display of wall-mounted bannersat the Fisheries Museum, on the grounds that they clashed with thetraditional rhythm of gables and walls. Permission was grantedanyway but we invite you to see what you think next time youvisit.Near Collessie, where we supported local groups opposing yetanother sand and gravel quarry, the developer(Muir Aggregates)has appealed. This is distressing for the residents of the hamlet of

Kinloch who have already endured years of uncertainty, even if thequarry is refused in the end.Unfortunately, despite a refusal, there is nothing to stop adeveloper having another go. In St Andrews the building of anursery school in the long rig at 44 South Street was turned downby the Reporter, unfortunately, for the wrong reason. Road safetywas the deciding factor, not the significance of the medieval garden.The developer intends to reapply, this time using a different accesspoint. In practice this would simply shift the safety issue from arelatively quiet street to South Street, which is a really busy one.It is a game and the stakes are high. In this case it was unusual tobe invited by the developer to visit the long rig to discuss his revisedplans. No. 44 was the home of D'Arcy Wentworth Thomson. Onthe north its windows overlook the street but on the south you seeonly the garden and distant countryside – an urban idyll.I don't want to give the impression of perpetual doom andgloom. The planning department agreed that crown glass windowsshould be retained in a house at Elie, 52 South Street in StAndrews, which is a superb restoration of a remarkable medievaltownhouse, formerly caked in cement render. The original streetfront survives, 18 feet behind the present frontage.North East Fife is fortunate to have some of Scotland's finesthistoric architecture, even if it is less than blessed with goodmodern examples.

Peter Davidson

Tayside & East Fife

Balfour Place, St Andrews, before alterationSt Andrews University Students’ Union



Still meeting in one another’shouses, the panel considered 473cases at its fortnightly meetings

last year. As each of us have links withmany interest groups in the county, ourcommunal activities extended mainly tosite meetings and our traditionalChristmas-tide lunch. The cases whichwe were most concerned about werenot necessarily those with which wehad most success.

Adam Paterson Mill, Haddington

When fire had destroyed much of theworks at the West Mills site, it waszoned for housing while retaining thehandsome category B listed four-storeystone Adam Paterson Mill. The mill wasbuilt in the early 19th century, on thenorth bank of the mill lade, facingoutward at the eastern end of the site.It was separated from its power source(presumably a powerful steam-drivenmill-engine in the survivingcontemporary stone Engine House), onthe south side of the lade, with ahorizontal drive-shaft raised above thelade, extending into the mill, protectedby a wing wall linking the two buildings,and bridging the lade. The enginehouse, the tall chimney stalk west of themill, and the remains of the boilerhouse adjoining on the west were alsolisted with the mill. South of the lade,the mill house at the southeast cornerof the site, and in separate ownership, isalso listed, but the contiguous CheviotHouse Mill, extending westward in twosections parallel with the lade, is said tobe not listed, but it is within theconservation area together with therest of the site. The Panel has objectedto a succession of ad hoc proposals bythe developer who had acquired thesite and has virtually cleared the rest ofthe site without consent, including theboiler house remains, for ‘safetyreasons’. We objected on the groundsthat they were premature, in theabsence of an agreed master plan forthe future development of the wholesite. Despite the continuing lack of sucha plan, the council approved theconversion of the mill to flats. Theapproved drawings show new woodenwindows with curved heads like theoriginals, to follow the segmental

curved heads of the window openings.On completion square-headedwindows were found to have beeninstalled, and remain despite complaints.More recently, the developer hasapplied to convert the three storey,brick east block of Cheviot House Millto offices, demolish the west block forparking space, and to transform thelisted engine house of the AdamPaterson Mill into an entrance passageto the offices. The developer proposesto do this by opening up its back, west,wall, excavating away its east approachramp and its raised internal floor,consisting of massive stone foundations(designed to restrain the vibrations of apowerful steam engine bolted down toit) and digging down to ground level, toprovide an easy level path to the newoffices. The panel argued that such apath was possible, skirting round thesouth side of the Engine House, so thatits virtual destruction could be avoided.We await a decision and a master-planfor the site.

Engine Cottage, Carlekemp, North

Berwick

This sumptuous English Cotswold stylemansion was built by John Kinross in1898 with extensive tree girt policieson a plateau overlooking the Forth. Itwas served by its own generator in anisolated small power house, sited at thebottom of a wooded slope on thewestern boundary of the estate, as farfrom the house as possible to reducenoise, and approached by a rough trackthrough a wood. It was visible from theadjoining golf course and so wasdisguised as a typical English half-timbered house, 2-storied and with anoverhanging pitched slate roof, with alower floor of stone with mullionedstone windows and a close-timberedupper floor with heavy diagonal bracesand 3-light wooden mullioned and

transomed windows. Its picturesqueappearance, peeping out from thewood, meant that when redundant, itwas converted to a small cottage witha chimney and a glazed lean-to on theeastern side. Its elaborate character, itssmall size, its isolation and its measuredseparation from the mansion,continued to maintain its significance asa part of the original Carlekempconception, and it was listed as such.When it was proposed to form twolarge roof lights with a horizontalemphasis in the front (west) roofslope, quite unrelated to thefenestration below, the Panel suggestedthat they should be smaller and set inthe rear (east) roof slope, and co-ordinated with the existingfenestration, but the Council approvedthe application. More recently thiscottage was the subject of repeatedapplications, by talented architects,seeking to enlarge the accommodationon site by surrounding and framing thecottage by additional two storey wings,

with fully glazed gable ends, reminiscentof the original cottage, and timber-framed car shelters nearby, to providea new home for their client,understood to be a ‘volume house-builder’. The Panel has been consistentin maintaining that the significance ofEngine Cottage is as a small isolatedestate building related to Carlekemp.The proposed extensions woulddetract from its essential character anddiminish our understanding ofCarlekemp itself by obscuring theplanned relationship with its formerlysmall, isolated power house. On thesecond submission, the Councilapproved the application.

Abbey Church, Dunbar

The white Catcraig stone Gothicentrance front of this church closes the

East Lothian

CASEWORK

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“The cases which we were most concernedabout were not necessarily those with which wehad most success”



CASEWORK

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view at the south end of the High Streetat Dunbar. Built as a Free Church in 1850,it is a late work of Thomas Hamilton, thegenius capable of designing the GreekDoric dramas of Edinburgh’s High School.Here he focused on providing a spaciousbut unostentatious aisled-hall church withgalleries round three sides and stairs in thecorners. It was built to an 18th centuryformula, symmetrical on plan, but in apersonal interpretation of Gothicstructure, where quatrefoil woodencolumns shoot upward to branch anddefine a pointed high vault to the nave andlower flat roofs to the aisles. This structureis expressed in the entrance front by asteep gable flanked by lower, level screenwalls to the aisles, all in a correct EarlyEnglish style, with stepped lancet windowsin the gable, blind arcades to the aisles, anda token asymmetrical spire to the left ofthe arched entrance. The rest of theexterior is of a dark local stone, with sidewindows at two levels, and there is a smallaxial vestry. A full complement of school,hall, vestry meeting room, and a manse

occupy a triangular site south of thechurch, and all have planning permissionfor domestic use and conversion. Afteryears of neglect the category B listedchurch is in a poor structural state, raincomes through the roofs, and the galleriesare unsafe. In a bid to secure planningpermission for redevelopment for housing,and selling the site, the owner encourageda young architect to produce a futuristicscheme to create a three storey familyhouse. The scheme proposed filling thecentral void of the nave, like a RachelWhitehead sculpture, with a sleek, copperfaced arch-topped ‘space ship’ made visibleby removing the aisle roofs to createflanking interior walled garden areas to thehouse, and demolishing the churchprogressively from the ‘east’ end. ThePanel likened it to Soane, who required hisapprentices to demonstrate their drawingskill, composition and knowledge ofconstruction, by drawing his buildings asthey would appear as ruins. With repeatedsubmission of variations of this scheme,Council planners resisted this visionary but

basically philistine scheme, the Panelsupported the planners, and HistoricScotland consistently advised against thescheme on listed building grounds. At alocal appeal against refusal of planningpermission, a councillor was impressed bythe refreshing futuristic scheme, theprofessional presentation and forwardthinking of the conversion, and permissionwas granted for the scheme: but listedbuilding consent was still required. ThePanel objected to the listed buildingconsent application; Historic Scotlandadvised refusal; and the Council refused it.On appeal to the government, the Panelwrote objecting, and two members of thepanel attended the Reporter on a notablywet and windy site visit in Dunbar. Theappeal was determined against theproposals, and the listed building stillstands. Its future depends on its promptrepair and economic use, which are veryuncertain.

Bill Dodd

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So far, 2013 has brought an interesting mix of cases and theusual mixed success with the responses we’ve submitted. Onething that should be remarked upon is the clear drop in our

Edinburgh caseload: so far in the first half of 2013, we’ve looked ataround 340 cases which compares to about 470 for the sameperiod in 2012 although this is not a scientific comparison. Thecaseload is largely self-selected, and we do a manual sift of theweekly lists supplied by the council by avoiding, for example, minoralterations to unseen rear elevations of unlisted buildings inconservation areas as we would struggle to argue any impact on thewider area in such cases. Nevertheless, I applied the same judgementas to which cases to include in our list as last year, leading to theconclusion that 2013 is indeed quieter for planning applicationsconnected to the built environment. It would be interesting to knowhow our experience relates to official statistics from the localauthority, and indeed elsewhere.Two cases stand out for comment here; both entirely different in

purpose, scale and approach. Nevertheless, they both raiseconcerns. The first is a small application relating to an unlisted villa inthe Merchiston & Greenhill Conservation Area. The applicantowned a side wing of the villa, entered via a pedestrian gate in theoriginal stone boundary wall and wished to enlarge an existinggateway to form a vehicular access and driveway to the premises.What was particularly interesting was the raised apex lintel atopthe existing gateway. It was an attractive and original feature in theconservation area. The proposal was to demolish this and open upa vehicular entrance and to form a new driveway behind. Pleasingly,the Council agreed with our letter of objection and initially rejectedthe application. It went to appeal, however, and the local review board

overturned the decision and granted consent - the demolition wascarried out very soon thereafter. This is how the democraticplanning system works and we accept that this happens. However, what is worrying about this case is that additional

information was supplied to the review board. This stated the wingand the gateway dated to the 1950s, but the Ordnance Surveystatutory records from the 1870s clearly show both the wing andthe gateway. This raises the question of the duty of a review boardto check the correctness of any additional information supplied byan applicant on appeal.On enquiry, we have been told that the additional information

supplied by the applicant did not sway the review board’s decision.Worryingly, the Society did not receive any notification of theadditional information being provided by the applicant to theappeal, and was accordingly unable to respond. To rub salt in the wound, we have been told that the demolition

has been clumsily executed with an opening larger than that appliedfor and with unsightly saw marks on the remaining wall. Althoughsmall in the grand scheme of things, this is a good example of howsuch a change can have a bitter aftertaste and leave an effect that iskeenly felt by neighbouring residents.It perhaps demonstrates that there are flaws and loopholes in

the current planning system which can adversely affect aconservation area. We wonder, then, what the point of aconservation area is. There are, it seems, many lessons to be learnt.The second case cannot go without comment, although, at the

time of writing, it is still to be decided. It concerns the 1969 Scottish

Provident building on St Andrew Square, designed by RowandAnderson, Kininmonth and Paul. Category B listed, it is celebratedby many, including the Council themselves in the recent publication‘Edinburgh’s Post-War Listed Buildings’, as a genuinely positivearchitectural contribution to Edinburgh’s New Town. We havealready seen the previous application to demolish the South StDavid Street wing and redevelop the surrounding buildings. This wasgranted but has never been taken forward. The new applicationgoes further and seeks to effectively demolish the main 1969 block,rebuilding behind and erecting a new façade that merely mimics theoriginal; a meaningless sculptural in memoriam that recalls the inaneremnant of Sydney Mitchell’s Red Home at QuarterMile. Theapplication has cleverly avoided the phrase ‘demolition’ – but that isclearly what is proposed in the application. The panel, along with theCockburn Association, Twentieth Century Society, and the ScottishCivic Trust, have objected in the strongest possible terms. We hadthought such ‘façadism’ was an approach to built heritage that hadbeen thoroughly discredited, and yet here, in the centre ofEdinburgh, it has reared its ugly head yet again. If this is granted(surely it won’t be?) the city centre may well soon be nothing butvacuous outer shells of historic buildings: skin-deep historic veneerswith all integrity, interest and cohesiveness ripped out and replacedwith bland glass and steel interiors. I trust this is not what anyone atthe City of Edinburgh Council wants.We end on a more positive note and take this opportunity to

thank the volunteers on the panel for their dedication, enthusiasmand interesting discussions over the past months. We may not winevery battle, but we sincerely believe all our efforts are very muchworthwhile.

Forth & Borders Cases Panel

Forth & Borders

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The Scottish Provident building, Edinburgh



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April AGM, including talk by Andy McNab

‘Chinese Planning and Architecture:Kunming – City of Eternal Spring’, was thetitle of a talk given at the AGM by AndyMcNab. Andy is a chartered town plannerwho lived and worked in Kunming whilstmanaging a rural development project inYunnan. Andy sought to describe thedevelopment of this ancient city, emphasisingthe distinctive Chinese approach to planning.The city was laid out to resemble in plan-form a tortoise, a symbol of prosperity andlongevity. He went on to describe andillustrate the architecture of the city, outliningthe Chinese approach to conservation andcity planning. Whilst in many respectsKunming is a typical provincial Chinese city oflimited architectural merit, Andy had beenable to identify historic pagodas, temples,gates, markets and houses which havesurvived and been conserved. He alsoillustrated the new enthusiasm for recreatinghistoric buildings, contrasting the newconstruction with photos of the originalbuildings. Andy illustrated how thearchitecture of the city reflected its social andeconomic development with buildingsdisplaying the early French presence in thecity in the nineteenth century, internationalmodernist styles from the 1930s, Russianinfluences in the 1950s and the monumentalChinese public buildings dating from after therevolution. Finally, Andy turned to some of themore exciting new buildings and identifiedtheir debt to traditional Chinese forms. Thiswas one of the most fascinating andinteresting talks we have had, giving an entirelydifferent perspective on architecturaldevelopment of a town from a townplanner’s view.

Ruthwell Church and the Devil’s Porridge

Bowl at Eastriggs

We undertook this visit to see the RuthwellCross, now situated within the church. Thecross is designed to tell the story of the lifeand passion of Christ, and is known as a‘preaching cross’ dating from about 680AD. Atthe time of the Reformation the cross was tobe destroyed, however a trench was cut inthe floor of the church, the cross was carefullydismantled, buried, and well hidden. In 1887the cross was re-erected within the body ofthe church in a special apse. We were alsopleased to see the very early stone font fromMouswald Church, re-housed in Ruthwellafter it closed. After lunch we visited Eastriggsto see the exhibition titled ‘The Devil’sPorridge Bowl’, which tells the story of the

munitions factories set up at Gretna andEastriggs during the First World War. Theassembled artefacts tell a fascinating story andalso of the planned towns built for theworkers under the direction of RaymondUnwin and others. Gretna and Eastriggs verymuch followed the designs of EbenezerHoward’s vision of the garden cities ofLetchworth and Welwyn Garden city.

Loch Arthur, Beeswing and a visit to The

Old House

The New Abbey trip was limited to 20people due to limited space available at bothLoch Arthur Community and The Old House.This meant that 22 actually attended includingthe Old House owners. The group met at theLoch Arthur Community Hall, converted froma barn about 15 years ago, where we werewelcomed with coffee and a talk by DenisChanarin, the community’s architect anddesigner of several of their new buildings. Hetold us of how the community had originatedas an offshoot of the Camphill Village Trust,how they had bought the Loch Arthur estatein 1983, and how they are now independent,as of 2012, from Camphill and are constitutedas the Loch Arthur Community Trust. Hedescribed their work and mode of life basedon seven houses, with disabled people livingas a part of the family life, and working in thedifferent sectors of the community, such asthe market garden, bakery, dairy, so on. Hethen took us to see the different buildingprojects the community had undertaken since1983, which also incorporated the estatebuildings from Lotus House. We saw a prettyhouse which had been extended by AnthonyWolffe, a charming walled garden with a semi-circular fruit wall, and the new green housesand sheds for the market garden business. Wethen inspected Lotus House itself. This house,which is in a most attractive situationoverlooking Loch Arthur, gives theappearance of being a modest Palladian villa,probably of the mid 18th century with itspiano nobile, perron stair and balancing wings.This, however, proved to be far from the realtruth as Denis explained to us carefully. Wethen all moved on to the Community FarmShop and Restaurant, opened in late 2012.This was designed by Camphill Architects inassociation with Simon Winstanley of CastleDouglas. The Ccontractors were Ashleigh Ltd.and the engineer was Paul Burley of AsherAssociates, both of Dumfries. We were givena full tour in two groups led by Denis and theother by Barrie Graham, the community’sbusiness manager. This proved extremely

interesting and informative and we wereparticularly able to note the sympathetic useof materials, the careful landscaping and thefree-flowing internal spaces, as well as theobvious affinity of the building withtraditionally constructed timber-framed barns.This building is a welcome addition to the21st century architecture of Dumfries andGalloway, looking both forward and back in amost pleasing way, and already clearly verypopular. Following this we were able to enjoyan excellent lunch in the new cafe and thenindulge in a little shopping. In the afternoonwe moved on to New Abbey where wewere shown The Old House in two groups of10 because of the extremely constrictednature of the building.

The Old House, New Abbey

This is best described as a ‘bastle house’, andwas built about 1570-80 with improvementsaround 50 years later. It was purchased fromthe Shambellie estate, by Martin Robertsonand his family, in 1977 in a semi derelict state.At this point it was used as a holiday houseafter careful repairs, with services introducedincluding a basic kitchen and bathroom, thereplacement of the first floor and insertion ofan internal stair. In 2003-4, with a badly leakingroof, it was decided that major repairs werenecessary and that this would become ahome. A second floor was inserted to give anadditional room with a second stair. A newroof was completed with modern raftersgiving support to the slates, care being takento preserve the original oak rafters. Theconversion of this category A listed house hasbeen carried out with the utmost care andunderstanding, original features are beautifullyrestored and although the house seems tinyfrom the outside the rooms are spaciousgiving very pleasant living accommodation. It isan enormous credit to Martin and Anina forachieving such a worthwhile restoration of animportant historic house. We felt veryprivileged to have visited.Both the visit to Loch Arthur and The Old

House were enjoyed by all. It was veryinformative to see the caring work carriedout at Loch Arthur and to see the newly builtshop and cafe and then total contrast ofvisiting the bastle house. Forthcoming events include a visit to Bute

House, the home of the First Minister, on12th September, and our Christmas Lunchwhich will be at the Selkirk Arms,Kirkcudbright, on 14th December.

Martin Robertson

Dumfries & Galloway



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This year's events calendar containedan eclectic mix of visits. We startedin April with a combined AGM and

Walking Tour of Banff. We were fortunateto be guided by an extremelyknowledgeable member of the BanffPreservation and Heritage Society. From town to countryside, our May visit

took us to a pioneering restorationaccomplished by Mark Tennant in 1961. Heand Lady Harriot were excellent hosts,giving us an informative account of thisvisionary restoration. From Balfluig weheaded to another tower restoration, butone with an interesting current prospect.Tillycairn Castle was restored in the early1980s, but had fallen on rather hard timesuntil Mr and Mrs James Taylor bought it andbrought to it a sympathetic approach torejuvenating it over the coming years. Our June visit took us down to the sea,

not exactly in ships, but to the Centre thatguides them into Aberdeen Harbour. TheMarine Operations Centre is a futuristicstructure designed by Archial and opened in2006. The harbour master gave us a tourand delighted us with a hands-onexperience in the state-of-the-art computerdriven simulator. Here, aspiring pilots amongour numbers were able to navigate variouscraft into and around the simulated harbour,without fear of causing the Lutine bell to berung at Lloyds of London. Our September visit will take us to a

familiar landmark, Drum Castle, where wewill be the guests of the National Trust forScotland and be given a firsthand accountof the recent restoration work on the late13th to early 14th century tower, and learnabout the discoveries made during thiswork. We will finish off our year back inAberdeen for our Christmas lunch in theAdvocate's Library.

John Coyne

North EastS ince our last report in the spring

2013 magazine, the Forth & Borders group have continued

with an active programme of events andlectures. In the spring, our annual lecture series

at Riddles Court included a talk byRobin Lorimer, grandson of RobertLorimer. He spoke to us about hisgrandfather’s life and work, and thespecial relationship Robert Lorimer hadthroughout his career with a fascinatingrange of highly skilled craftsmen andwomen. In March we welcomed Chris

McGregor of Historic Scotland, whospoke about the enormous variety andtypes of vernacular building traditions tobe found in Scotland. His talk was verywell illustrated with beautiful anddetailed record photographs ofvernacular buildings, some captured asthese fascinating structures were aboutto be lost. In April, Clare Sorensen from the

RCAHMS buildings survey team spokeabout and showed us some of thefascinating material and beautifulphotographs in the RCAHMS collection,relating to India at the time of the Raj &the British Empire. This collection hasbeen acquired RCAHMS on the back oftheir on-going search for images andmaterial about buildings in Scotland. For our summer party in June we were

made very welcome by Dr and MrsBannatyne Brown, at Arthur Lodge,Newington. We were able to explore thismost elegant of villas probably to designsby architect Thomas Hamilton. Dr andMrs Brown have carefully restored thehouse including the particular alterationsof the previous owners. I led a walk for members along

George Street on a beautiful early Juneevening when we looked at the greatvariety of 19th century banks andinsurance offices that predominate in

this part of Edinburgh. While many ofthe companies have since moved theiroffices and branches away from thisarea, the buildings remain as finemonuments, reflecting Edinburgh’sfinancial history.Another walk for members in early

July explored the area around GeorgeSquare and Quartermile in Edinburgh.Here, we concentrated on 20th centurybuildings and in particular some recentarchitectural additions. We were given atour of the new Chapel of St Albert theGreat at the university’s Catholicchaplaincy, which is a stunning timber,glass and core-ten steel structure, fittedinto the garden of one of the remaining18th century houses on the west side ofGeorge Square. Our walk concludedwith drinks at the home of Ronald andJane Duff who have recently taken upresidence in one the converted formerward blocks on the Quartermile site. At the start of August a group of over

30 people went in search of thelandscape of Walter Scott. AndrewMartindale of Historic Scotland led afascinating day in the Borders taking inScott’s View and Dryburgh Abbey, whereScott is buried. And then we went on toAbbotsford, Scott’s home. Andrew,assisted by Peter Ranson, explained thelong programme of repairs undertakenand the recent major project torepresent to house and secure its future.We saw the new visitor centre by LDNArchitects and explored the restoredgardens and grounds. At the time of writing we are making

final preparations for our last event ofthe summer, a joint study day with theGarden History Society at HopetounHouse, where we will be exploring thearchitecture and interiors as well as thegardens and extensive grounds.

Dominic Echlin

Forth & Borders

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Strathclyde

Our AGM was held in April at Hamilton's Low Parks Museumand was followed by a visit to the Hamilton Mausoleum.Many thanks to Jean and David Bisset for arranging the

venue. Our current committee was re-elected with the welcomeaddition of Glen Miller. Low Parks Museum is housed in beautiful and historical buildings

which were once part of the Duke of Hamilton’s estate. We hadour AGM in the dignified 18th century Assembly Room, whichretains its original plasterwork and musicians’ gallery. Displays depictthe history of South Lanarkshire, its industry, housing and otheraspects of local life, with a special display on the history of theCameronian Regiment. Hamilton Mausoleum nearby is considered one of the finest

private tombs in the country. It was built as a tomb and monumentto Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton, nicknamed 'El Magnifico', butwas incomplete at the time of his death in 1852. The chapel has amassive dome, over 36 metres high, magnificent bronze doors(which are now displayed inside for security) and a stunning floormade up of different marbles from around the world. On entering,one is immediately struck by the amazing echo, one of the longestin the world and lingering for up to 15 seconds! Listening to ourguide became quite challenging as his voice reverberated around us.Two huge lion sculptures overlook the entrance to the crypt below,where you can still see the niches for the bodies of the membersof the Hamilton family. The group's summer study days were most successful.

May: Stirlingshire

Doune Castle is a Historic Scotland property near Stirling, mostnoted, a bit unfairly, for its role in the Monty Python film, ‘The HolyGrail’. It was firmly pointed out that it has greater historicsignificance. It is in fact a magnificent and atmospheric late 14thcentury courtyard castle built for the Regent Albany. The castle issited on a wooded bend where the Ardoch flows into the RiverTeith near the village of Doune. It was probably damaged in theScottish Wars of Independence. Its present form dates from the late14th century having been modified for Robert Stewart, Duke ofAlbany (c.1340–1420), the son of King Robert II of Scotland, andRegent of Scotland from 1388 until his death. We then proceeded to Cardross House, near the Lake of

Menteith and set in large grounds. This large A listed harled building

is thought to have been built in 1598 by David Erskine,Commendator of Inchmahome Priory on the island in the Lake ofMenteith where Mary, Queen of Scots lived as a child. Sir Archieand Lady Orr Ewing were most welcoming, leaving us the run ofthe house. Outside sheep huddled against the ha-ha and guineafowl complained about the drizzle, as we tucked into our packedlunches around their long table in the grand dining hall. Then on to Kippen Church in the village of Kippen. It was built in

1827 by William Stirling and extensively redesigned between 1924 and1926 by Reginald Fairlie and Eric Bell. It is described as graceful andLatinate in style and the Arts and Crafts influence is most notable. We were given an illuminating talk on its history by Tom Begg,

author of The Kingdom of Kippen. The artist D. Y. Cameron, who hadbeen a trustee of both the Tate and National Galleries of Scotland,moved to Kippen in 1899. He was concerned about the tradition ofausterity and introduced mainly 20th-century Christian art, includingworks by Sir Alfred Gilbert, Alfred Hardiman, James Woodford andHenry Wilson, as well as local craftsmen. Some of the stained glassis by Herbert Hendrie, (1887–1946) known for his strong simpledesigns with scintillating jewel-like effects.

July: Ayrshire

Mike Davis introduced us to potter Tom Hopkins-Gibson inAuchinleck, at his new studio which he is still completing. It is goodto see someone trying to return activity and confidence into one of

The Strathclyde Group experiences the echoes in the Hamilton Mausoleum.Image © Jeremy Watson

Cardross House. Image © Jeremy Watson

Stained glass window image of Kippen Church. Image © Hamish Macbeth



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these Ayrshire towns that one usually justrushes through. His pottery is unique in theway he uses wooden moulds which createdistinctive patterns and is sold around thecountry. This was followed by a visit to Knockroonon the outskirts of Cumnock, inspired andpromoted by Prince Charles. It is almost asif a sparkling village from another time andplace has mysteriously materialised on thethrough road alongside contrasting sombreexisting houses. It generally raises someeyebrows, and perhaps some criticalquestions, but the members generally leftvery impressed. At Dumfries House, Mike handed over tothe curator Charlotte Rostek, who gave usa most thorough introduction to the widerange of restoration work and Prince's Trustinitiatives. These include an impressivehospitality school with a restaurant and atraditional building skills training centre. Wewere shown a unique timber and thatchgazebo next to a Japanese style garden builtby the training centre. There are also newfacilities for budding artists in the newlyrestored Dumfries House Laundry, originallydesigned by John Adam in 1760. It has beennamed the Prince’s Drawing SchoolDimplex Studio (with reference to asponsor and heating system). Even thesmall, but newly restored, doocot wasfascinating. It is dated 1671 above the door,but seems to have had mixed origins. Otherwork under way includes gardens and anarboretum. This was followed by a quicktour of the impressive Dumfries Houseitself.

September: Perthshire

Drummond Castle and keep: We arelooking forward to this visit on the 26thSeptember and thank, in advance, LadyWilloughby de Eresby and the Grimsthorpe& Drummond Castle Trust. The castlecomprises a tower house built in the late18th century and a 17th century mansion,both of which were rebuilt in Victoriantimes.

Winter programmeAs ever, a great and varied lectureprogramme awaits our members. Detailscan be found at the back of this magazine.As noted elsewhere, we have joined forceswith the Victorian Society which is hostingan exhibition entitled “Saving a Century” inthe Mitchell Library in Glasgow throughoutOctober. We have added a public lecture byDr James Macaulay to this and will hopefullyattract both members and prospectivemembers. As with the winter lectures,further details are to be found at the end.

Overall, it has been an eventful year. TheGeorge Square saga with the drasticcompetition proposals, including theremoval or moving of the statues, wasabandoned under public pressure givingway to a basic sprucing up. We still had alot to say about this as the greatly reducedscheme, termed “temporary” by GlasgowCity Council, still present concerns. Effortsto save the B listed London Street Schoolhave been lost. We remain uncomfortableabout the delegation of powers in respectfor B listed buildings even where councilshave in-house expertise. We have participated in the AHSSresponses on the consultation on theScottish Planning Policy (SPP) and themerger between Historic Scotland and theRoyal Commission for Ancient and HistoricMonuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). Suchdevelopments offer great benefits, but westill see many grey areas that weaken the

situation for our built heritage. It is withinthis environment that the role AHSS playsis most important and we feel that theStrathclyde Group makes a most valuablecontribution.

Jeremy Watson

Low Parks Museum in Hamilton, venue for the Strathclyde Group AGMImage © Jeremy Watson

Dumfries House (this image) and restored doocot (below)Images © Jeremy Watson



Dundee Conservation Lectures

The Group continued with the jointlyorganised programme of eight doublelectures at fortnightly intervals, comprisingthe Dundee Conservation Lectures, overthe winter months. The series began in1992-93 as separate programmes for theAHSS (the very first talk was by the thennewly elected AHSS President AlistairRowan), and a guest lecture series forpostgraduate conservation students, whichtook place on consecutive evenings in thesame place. These were combined into a16-week annual series in 1993-94. The lastseries marked the 20th year of the jointseries and the 21st continuous year of theGroup’s programme. The complete seriesprogrammes can be found on theUniversity’s web site (search on ‘DundeeConservation lectures’).Technical lectures about understanding

and repairing buildings were provided byPaul Higginson of Arc Architects in Cupar,Craig Frew of Craig Frew BuildingConservation in Kirkcaldy on sandstonedecay, Paul Beaton of Historic Scotland onsash windows and series co-organiser NeilGrieve on Scottish roofs and their detail.Ellie McCrone, Historic Scotland’s Head ofListing and Designed Landscapes spoke tous about the current listing programmeand about listed transport buildings. Forsomething a bit different, Charles McKeanintroduced Scottish film maker MurrayGrigor, who showed us his remarkable‘then and now’ double screen film ‘Space

and Light Revisited’, about the CardrossSeminary, followed by ‘Sir John Soane: anEnglish architect, an American legacy’. InFebruary Elain Harwood of EnglishHeritage gave us a beautifully illustratedtalk on post-war architects’ houses. Herforthcoming book will be well worthgetting! In March our first evening wasabout Sicily, with Peter Burman describingits architecture, archaeology and museumsaccompanied by more stunningphotography. Our final evening involvedthe houses and gardens of Argyll, withMary Gibby discussing the restoration ofthe unique Victorian fernery at BenmoreBotanic Garden and that of its not toodistant neighbour at Ascog Hall on Bute.Michael Davis rounded off the lectureseries with a fascinating presentation ofpersonal reflections about country houseson the Cowal shore.The 2013-14 series will resume in mid-

October on Tuesday evenings at 6.00pm inthe University of Dundee’s MatthewBuilding (Duncan of Jordanstone College),Room 5013.

Group visits

The Group’s Summer Activitiesprogramme began with our combinedAngus Chateaux visit and AGM onSaturday 15th June. Our first visit was toGagie House, home of our Hon Treasurerand committee member Clare and FranceSmoor, and we began with a leisurely touraround the walled garden, then coffee and

cake in the dining room, before venturingout further then returning for a full tour ofthe house. Gagie is a stunning white-harledlaird’s house originally belonging to theGuthries, with earliest parts dating from1610. It has late Georgian, late Victorianand later 20th century additions andalterations. The walled garden is 17thcentury and there is a classicalsummerhouse of 1762, a contemporaryone of 2002, and various historic andrestored ancillary buildings. We picnicked inside at Gagie and then

headed to nearby Pitkerro for our 19thAGM and associated visit, hosted by Johnand Pauline Baruffati, Mrs Baruffati seniorand their neighbours. Pitkerro is also awhite-harled laird’s house but is bigger andhas its origins in a 1534 house, now partof the southeast wing. This range evolvedand was gently extended over the years.Then, in 1902-04, Robert Lorimerremodelled it and added a much largernorthwest range including a chapel for Lt-Col A C Douglas Dick in the 17th centuryScottish domestic style. The Dicksrelocated after WWII and it became homeseveral Catholic families who divided it upwith minimum physical alteration, andcontinue to enjoy and look after it.Members were able to view the stunninggardens, the whole exterior, and alsoinside, to three separate apartments forlower parts of the earlier house and thechapel and Lorimer wing, ending up in thebeautifully restored first floor Lorimer

Tayside & East Fife

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Tayside & East Fife members at Gagie House. Image © Adam SwanAGM at Pitkerro. Image © Peter Davidson



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drawing room for our meeting.The AGM business passed smoothly. A

£1000 transfer from group to national fundswas noted, and there were no committeechanges as all are in mid-term. Howevervolunteers for the committee or casespanels are welcome at any time. It wasnoted that this was our third consecutiveAGM to be held in a Lorimer public room –and they work very well – so thecommittee’s main challenge was to try tocontinue this trend for the rest of the 2010s!Our second event was on Sunday 14

July, a study day of houses, gardens and atown walk around Anstruther in Fife’s EastNeuk. Our first visit was to Cambo House,just south of Kingsbarns, where Sir PeterErskine greeted us and gave us a full tourof the main house. Cambo is described asa large Italianate Georgian villa, and wasdesigned as a replacement for an earlierdemolished house for the Erskine family byWardrop & Reid Architects in 1879-81. Wewondered if anything of the old survivedand Sir Peter answered this, whenexplaining the unusual ground floorcirculation flow, mentioning that CharlesMcKean had beaten us to this on an earliervisit by spotting out unusually thick internalwalls which could be explained by theexistence of surviving masonry from theoriginal house. We also appreciated thatthe house is enjoying a renaissance underthe present generation of the family ,and isprobably in the best form it has ever been.Numerous initiatives by the family ensure

that it is now a focus for the communityand for visitors, a remarkable achievementconsidering the fate of many similarcountry houses in the post-war era. Thegardens are renowned and an attraction intheir own right. There is a tearoom andvisitor shop to the rear of the house andambitions plans to reroof and restore thestables by Page/Park architects. There areolder ancillary buildings, doocot, walledgarden, mausoleum, gates and lodges,gamekeeper’s house. Then to Balcaskie, just north of St

Monans, which is a laird’s house begun in1629 but of major importance as the firstsubstantial work of Sir William Bruce. Heacquired it in 1665 and greatly extendedit into a classical mansion. Balcaskie passedvia Steuarts to the Anstruthers by 1700,and alterations and rebuilding occurredunder the family thereafter, notably byWilliam Burn in the 1820s and 30s,including mid 19th century changes toBruce’s terraced gardens. Balcaskie passedto Toby Anstruther five years ago, whenthe Group last visited, and Toby wasavailable to show members around againand explain how the house evolved andwas now being gently conserved, repairedand areas altered for contemporary living. The two houses couldn’t have been

more different, but there were strongparallels in the way that they were bothexemplary examples of best practise bythe current generations of the originalfamilies. Our hosts generously passed on

our thank you gifts to the Cambo Institute,towards re-roofing Cambo Stables, and tothe NTS Kellie Castle (Balcaskie), so ourvisits also contributed to the historicbuildings. The final visit of the day, the walking tour

of Anstruther, was in strong contrast to theopulence of Cambo and Blacaskie. AHSSlocal cases panel member John di Folcoshowed members the houses built forheroes in the 1920s. They were remarkablefor their time in that they were cottagestyle with decent gardens and even a netloft in the attic. I would like to expressparticular thanks to cases panel secretaryPeter Davidson for arranging the events.We have two more planned visits.

Strathardle on Saturday 10 August to seePatrick Allan Fraser’s Blackcraig Castle ofc.1846-56 (Baronial Revival in style,decades ahead of itself), and the secludedGlenericht Lodge, with its unspoiltEdwardian and 1930s additions. Thesewere two of the many stars of last year’sstudy tour. The next visit is to a group ofsix villas either side of the Tay Estuary(Dundee and Newport) on Saturday 7September. This includes the Vine,Dundee’s version of Arthur Lodge, themini estate of Tayfield extended byGeorge Smith whilst assisting Burn atCamperdown, Newport’s mock ‘Castle’,and Baillie Scott’s Sandford Hill, recentlyseen on BBC2’s ‘Restoration Home’.

Adam Swan

AHSS walkabout in Anstruther. Image © Peter DavidsonBalcaskie House showing newly revealed south doorway. Image © Peter Davidson



My connection with Haitigoes back a number ofyears and I’ve grown tolove this beautiful butravaged country, whose

dignified and resilient people have sufferedso greatly over the years. My favouritebuilding there is Port-au-Prince's historicIron Market, which I was privileged to workon as part of the international team thatrestored the building following itsdestruction in the cataclysmic 2010earthquake. My lasting memories of thebuilding include my very first walk round.The looms thundered, the floors vibratedand it was impossible to carry out aconversation with anyone within touchingdistance. A striking feature of the interiorwas that the floors within the buildingjoined the façade at almost randomintervals, with the floor planes cuttingacross window openings at unexpectedlocations.There is something extraordinarily

gripping about iron-framed 19th-centurystructures. Quite apart from their culturalvalue as historic architecture, the best arefundamentally obdurate and enduring. Thisgenre of structure often seems eternal.Whether they still stand or have been lost,they remain imprinted in our collectivecultural memories, radiating their areas ofboldness and optimism. For well over a century, the Iron Market

– Marché en Fer – in Port-au-Prince hasbeen a bold symbol of Haiti’sindependence and ambition. It engages,creating an emotional connection. Like allgreat structures it has a striking physicalpresence and subtler qualities that speak oftime and change, culture and community. When the French engineers, Baudet

Donon & Cie, shipped the structuralelements of the Iron Market to Port-au-Prince in 1889, what took shape on theBoulevard Jean Jacques Dessalines was astartling semblance of what would now becalled an aspirational future. Exported 19thcentury structures were grandly scaled andoften exquisitely detailed precursors totoday’s flat-pack kit buildings. Thesebuildings were intended to be deliberatelyimpressive and highly functional Europeanimplants, yet the Iron Market was erectedsome eighty-seven years afterindependence and rapidly became asymbol of cultural and commercialcontinuity. It has always had a special social

and symbolic gravitas. The Iron Market comprises two

volumetric 35ft high enclosed spaces, eachcovering 20,000ft2, whose structures arelinked by bridges to a central pavilion withclocks facing east and west, and fourconnected towers in the form of a fauxIslamic pavilion, carrying minaret-likestructures. The original structure iscomposed of decorative-cast iron columnssupporting a wrought-iron superstructure.The broad simple form of the market ispunctuated with classical decorativeelements, and conveys a thoroughly vividfunctionality. Its form rises in a familiarimperial-cum-tropical hierarchy: an openlower section surmounted by an archedand louvered facade. Above it are shallow-pitched main roofs covered in corrugatedmetal and raised clerestory roofs thatincrease light and ventilation. Thisarchitecture triggers imagination. It is ornatein its finer details, yet structurally resilient. To me, the architecture and subsequent

restoration of the Iron Market symbolisesthe struggle of Haiti, its working life and itsextraordinary history. The involvement ofhundreds of locally skilled artisans in taskssuch as conservation of the historicironwork, new decorative metalwork, stonedressing and bricklaying was critical inrestoring a structure so embedded within

the Haitian community and economy. Thedamage of the 2010 earthquake wasunimaginable in scale, and yet the restoredmarket was back in operation within twelvemonths as a symbol of hope for thisextraordinary country.Given my long association with

Templeton’s, I was amazed and delightedwhen I realised that the gift of a stainedglass window, made to me by my friendsand colleagues from Maryhill Burgh Halls tomark almost ten years of work there, alsofeatured elements of those very mosaictiles quite prominently!

Iron Market, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

John McAslan is Executive Chairman of John

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MY FAVOURITE BUILDING


NATIONAL EVENTS Friday 1st – Monday 4th May (c.£400)Study Tour: North East Scotland’s hidden architectureJoin Simon Green and Adam Swan on a tour of NorthAberdeenshire, Banff & Buchan and Moray. To registeredyour interest please contact the national office on 0131557 0019 or [email protected]

Saturday 2nd November, 11.30am AHSS AGM and Greyfriars trip (£8)Riddles Court, EdinburghAll members are warmly invited to this lively event whichwill include a tour of the recently redeveloped Kirkhouseand the historic Greyfriars complex.

STRATHCLYDETuesday 1st – Wednesday 30th October Saving a Century Exhibition (free)Mitchell Library, Glasgow.

Tuesday 1st October, 6pmLecture by Dr James Macaulay (£4, students go free) Mitchell Library, Glasgow Organised by the Victorian Society in association withthe Strathclyde AHSS Group.

Winter Lecture series: 2013-20147pm coffee, 7.30pm start Admission £4, students free, season ticket for all fivelectures £16Lectures are held at Adelaides, 209 Bath Street, on thecorner with Pitt Street, Glasgow. Everyone is welcome. For further information on the lectures or any otherarchitectural heritage issues, please contact AudreyGardner at 0141 339 1205.

Thursday 24th October “Glasgow Canals – Unlocking the Gates”, Gordon Barr, Maryhill Burgh Halls“Starting with Canals”,Jenny Tonkins, Heritage Advisor at Scottish Canals.

Thursday 21st November “Dumfries House – a New Study”, Simon Green, RCAHMS.

Thursday 16th January“Listing – myths, truths and the future”, Elizabeth McCrone, Head of Listing and DesignedLandscapes at Historic Scotland.

Thursday 20th February“Curious Interconnections of the Villas and Mansions of Cowal”, Michael Davis, Historian.

Thursday 20th March“Sir Basil Urwin Spence”, speaker to be confirmed. As is becoming tradition, this final lecture will bepreceded by a buffet and a glass of wine, starting at 6pm.Booking information will be circulated nearer the date.

NORTH EASTThursday 28th November, 12.30pm Christmas Lunch (£22)Advocate’s Library, AberdeenOnce again, members are invited to come together andenjoy a talk and a splendid lunch in the elegant andconvivial surroundings of the Advocate's Library. ContactSheila Rhind, 01330 844 734 / [email protected]

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY19th April AGM and talk by Paul Goodwin about war memorialsGordon Memorial Hall, Castle DouglasFor more information please contact Patricia Woodley,[email protected] or 01644 430204.

Saturday 14th December, 12.30pm,Christmas Lunch (£18)Selkirk ArmsFor more information, and to book your place, pleasecontact Sue Douglas [email protected] or01556 680 268 or Patricia Woodley (as above).

TAYSIDE AND EAST FIFEThe Dundee Conservation Lectures: 2013-20146pm start, every Tuesday from mid-October Admission freeRoom 5013, Matthew Building, Perth Road, University of DundeeA series of lectures covering a number of conservationissues, offering an opportunity to learn more about, anddebate, philosophical, practical, legislative and technicalmatters. Details will be available at www.dundee.ac.uk/planning/newsandevents/conservationlectures

FORTH & BORDERSWinter Lecture Series (£5 or £2.50 for students)6.30pm, first Monday of every month,Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh.

Monday 7th October“Dreaming Spires: the University of Glasgow’sRenaissance Palace in the High Street and GothicCitadel at Gilmorehill” by Nick Haynes, who hasrecently written a history of Glasgow University.

Monday 4th November“Blooming Sepulchres”, by Christopher Dingwall, a jointlecture with the Garden History Society.

The titles of other lectures will be announced shortly.

OCTOBER01 ST Saving a Century

Exhibition starts

01 ST Lecture by Dr JamesMacaulay

07 F&B Dreaming Spires: theUniversity of Glasgow’sRenaissance Palace in theHigh Street and GothicCitadel at Gilmorehill

24 ST Glasgow Canals – lecture

NOVEMBER02 AHSS AGM and Greyfriars trip

04 F&B Blooming Sepulchres

21 ST Dumfries House – a NewStudy lecture

28 NE Christmas Lunch

DECEMBER14 D&G Christmas Lunch

JANUARY16 ST Listing - myths, truths and

the future lecture

FEBRUARY20 ST Curious Interconnections

of the Villas and Mansions ofCowal lecture

MARCH20 ST Sir Basil Urwin Spence

APRIL19 NE AGM and talk by Paul

Goodwin about warmemorials

Events Programme 2013-14

At A Glance...


NFU Mutual is The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society limited (No.111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.

SINCE WE INSURE SO MANY ESTATES IN THE UK, WE UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY ESTATE HAS UNIQUE NEEDS.

We recognise that estates face special challenges in insuring their land, buildings and other assets adequately. The job of our local team is to help you overcome these challenges – quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

We take plenty of time to understand your business, carry out a detailed review, listen to your requirements and then recommend the most appropriate solution.

But don’t just take our word for it:

Call Andy Hall on:

07967 698250You can be assured it’ll be time well spent. nfumutual.co.uk

WE TAKE THE TIME TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

“ They are efficient and always available; they take the time to understand my clients’ assets, so they can provide proactive advice.

I find the claims service provided, very effective.”Christopher Langford MRICS, FAAV

Partner, Carter Jonas

EST/ADV 0513


Documents

AHSSAut13 Layout 1 13/09/2013 10:04 Page 1 AHSS · AHSSAut13_Layout 1 13/09/2013 10:04 Page 1. Benefits of membership ... casework activities. Surprisingly, several local authorities