General view. Modern copy of a historic photograph. Digital image of ML 4519.

Description General view. Modern copy of a historic photograph. Digital image of ML 4519.

Date c. 1860

Catalogue Number SC 772453

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of ML 4519

Scope and Content Newbattle Abbey House from the south-east, Midlothian This shows the house in the 1890s, from just beyond the formal Italianate garden with its low box hedges and sundial (left), one of a pair made in the 17th century. This side of the house has curving gables and ornate dormer windows which were added by architect William Burn in 1836. In the late 19th century, when this photograph was taken, it would have been quite usual for a large country house to have had a population of between 50 and 150 people. These would have included the family, guests, and servants. Visiting other estates took up a great deal of the free time of the upper classes, who would travel with their own personal butlers, ladies' maids, valets and chauffeurs. Newbattle Abbey was founded by Cistercian monks in 1140, and its church dedicated to St Mary in 1233-4. It became a private residence in 1587 when the last abbot, Mark Kerr, converted to Protestantism and was able to retain his lands. His son became Lord Newbattle in 1596. The remains of the abbey are built into the surviving house, which was modified and rebuilt by the architects John Mylne (1650), William Burn (1836) and David Bryce (1858). The house was gifted to the nation in 1937 to be used as a further education college. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/772453

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap