Scotland's Lost Gardens
31/07/2013
Gardens and designed landscapes are an important part of Scotland’s history, providing a fascinating insight into the social, political and economic environment of the times in which they were created. They sit within a wider British and European context, responding to ideas embedded in religion, science, art and literature, but incorporating distinctive elements of Scottish history, climate and natural landscape. The cultural significance of these gardens and designed landscapes remains, even when the gardens themselves may appear long gone, vulnerable to changing taste and needs, relict through lack of maintenance or abandoned totally.
RCAHMS is hosting an outdoor exhibition of stunning images which draws from the recent publication Scotland’s Lost Gardens. The exhibition will be held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from Saturday 3 August to Sunday 29 September 2013.
Images from the exhibition and book, along with a selection of other items from our archives, can be browsed below and purchased as digital images, photographic prints or poster prints by clicking the Order Image link below each image.
SC 372553
Scanned copy of a design for improvements to the Thirlestane estate by Captain John Slezer.
© RCAHMS
SC 663865
General oblique aerial view of Sanday and SE coast of Canna looking ESE towards Rum (Rhum), showing Sgor nam Ban-Naomha, a possible early Christian settlement.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 672596
Aerial view of Castle Menzies showing the cropmarks of its former garden.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 683110
View of the conservatory of the Peebles Hydropathic Hotel.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 684694
Historic photograph. General view of original Peebles Hydro. Digital image of PB 1133
© RCAHMS
SC 695367
Seafield House, Ayr, view of entrance elevation with conservatory in foreground.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 695386
View of conservatory, Seafield House, Ayr.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 696218
p.30 View over lake to Rosehaugh Copied from The Brodie Albums 2 in possession of the National Trust for Scotland
© National Trust for Scotland
SC 712215
Hatton House Digital image of engraving of perspective view of hosue and garden. Entitled: 'Argile House' from Theatrum Scotiae by John Slezer.
© RCAHMS
SC 972046
Oblique aerial view centred on the country house and garden, taken from the SSE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1018855
Oblique aerial view of Castle Kennedy showing cropmarks of former garden.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1018862
Oblique aerial view of King's Knot earthwork and garden below Striling Castle.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 016777
Oblique aerial view centred on the remains of the castle, dovecot and walled garden and the church and burial-ground, taken from the SE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 020583
General oblique aerial view centred on the country house with the walled garden in the foreground and the stable in the distance, taken from the S.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 020751
Oblique aerial view centred on the tower-house, remains of the chapel and cropmarks of the terrace garden from the SSE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 025942
Interior. Detail of mechanism for opening roof vents in glasshouse at Achnagairn.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 032745
Ink sketch showing general view of Valleyfield New Garden, Fife. Insc. "View of Valleyfield New Garden" 'MEMORABILIA, JOn. SIME EDINr. 1840'
© Courtesy of HES (Reverend John Sime/
SC 1107259
General oblique aerial view centred on the Rosehaugh Estate, taken from the SSE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 040462
Catalogue of Horticultural Buldings by MacKenzie and Moncur. Range of Plant Houses erected at Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
© Illustration from Catalogue of horticultural buildings etc, MacKenzie and Moncur Ltd, 1907. Courtesy
SC 1120427
View from Waverley gardens looking west also showing the Castle, National Gallery and Scott Monument, inscr; 'PRINCES STREET & CASTLE. EDINBR'
© RCAHMS
SC 1129171
View of Culross House, Fife, by John Slezer and published in Theatrum Scotiae, 1719, showing house and garden. Scanned image from original glass plate negative. Original envelope annotated by Erskine Beveridge 'Culross Abbey Slezer'
© RCAHMS: Erskine Beveridge (N Maylan Collection)
DP 052060
General oblique aerial view centred on the ruins and gardens of Castle Kennedy and Lochinch Castle, taken from the SW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 073592
Oblique aerial view centred on Stirling Castle with Kings Knot beyond, taken from the NW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 073840
View of Wemyss Castle grounds near the gatehouse with a horse-drawn grass cutter in operation in the foreground.
© RCAHMS
DP 094113
Engraving of Montgomerie House and policies. Titled 'Coilfield House'. J. McKinlay delt. R. Scott sc. For the Scots Mag. and Edinr. Literary Misc. Published by A. Constable & Co., 1st August 1812.'
© Courtesy of HES. Illustration in Views in Scotland
SC 1237351
Oblique aerial photograph of St Abb's Head, Kirk Hill with the site of monastery of Coldingham.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1237396
Oblique aerial view centred on the cropmarks of the moated site, taken from the west north west.
© Courtesy of HES (Dr Colin and Dr Paula Martin Collection)
SC 1237398
Oblique aerial view centred on the tower-house and earthworks with the stables and cottage adjacent, taken from the east south east.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 101336
General view of Stirling from the east. Copy of copper plate engraving titled 'The prospect of the town of Sterling from the east. Urbis Sterlini, prospectus ab oriente.' Shown also are areas used once for cultivation.
© Courtesy of HES. Illustration from Theatrum Scotiae by J Sleezer
DP 101340
Edinburgh. Facsimile of Gordon of Rothiemay's Bird's eye view taken in 1647. 'From an impression of the original in the possession of Duncan CowanEsq. one of the Magistrates of the city.' Published by Kirkwood & Son, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES. Illustration from Theatrum Scotiae by J Sleezer
DP 101766
Pl.10 Linlithgow. Copy of copper plate engraving titles 'Prospectus Regis Palatis. Limnuchensis. The Prospect of their Majties Palace of Linlithgow. This plate is most humbly inscribed to the Honble James Conynghame of Milncraig Bart.' Shown is the terracing of the knoll on which the palace stands.
© Courtesy of HES. Illustration from Theatrum Scotiae by J Sleezer
DP 102428
Drawing of 17th century house, since demolished, as seen from North. Very similar to an earlier David Allan drawing.
SC 1291613
Oblique aerial view centred on the abbey and manse, taken from the west showing the former yards of the abbey.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 136322
General oblique aerial view of Blair Adam House AND grounds, taken from the ENE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1327140
View of single-arched stone bridge on the Valleyfield Estate.
© Courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (Valleyfield House)
SC 1337827
Detail of the plan of the Valleyfield Estate - the eastern section showing house, garden and park
SC 1339378
View of a man in vegetable garden, possibly at East Silvermills Lane Ironworks, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Thomas Hadden Collection)
SC 1339380
View of two men in a vegetable garden, possibly at East Silvermills Lane Ironworks, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Thomas Hadden Collection)
DP 156677
Glasgow, Pollok House Engraving showing South of house and bridge over White Cart Water with two figures in foreground fishing. Insc: 'Pollok the seat of Sir John Maxwell Bar.'
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 157208
Main front and garden of The Cairns. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM NO.80: THE CAIRNS ALBUM Album of red morocco. Insc: (gilt), front cover: 'The Cairns. 1858'. Insc: (ink), front end paper: 'To Mrs John P.Kidston with Mr. Burnet's Comp.ts. Sept. 1875' Some leaves stamped 'T. Annan Phot. Glasgow' Bought at Christies, 27th October, 1983' Presentation album of professional photographs by T. Annan, Glasgow, of the interior and exterior of Cairns house near Cambuslang, Glasgow. Photographic reproductions of architect's drawings of the house and also of his plans and elevations of the house and associated buildings. Album seems to have been altered at some stage, p.10 has been removed and reinserted. End paper front v. View of the lodge, Cairns House. View of Nyn Park House. Included is a brief note recording that Andrew Clark, Managing Director of Clyde Paper purchased the house in 1913 from the Duke of Hamilton. [After the War the house lay empty, was vandalised and destroyed by fire, and a housing scheme was built on the site.]
© Courtesy of HES (The Cairns Album)
DP 157354
Page 3v/3 Distant view showing garden of Douglas Support. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM NO 248: Douglas Support
DP 157379
Garden and glasshouses for R F McEwen. Detail of Plans, sections and elevations of gardens and garden features.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 157453
Perspective sketch of Cardy House, Cardy Cottage and Cardy Net Works. Inscribed on verso: 'David Gillies, Net manufacturer. Cardy Works, Largo, Fife.'
SC 516722
Oblique aerial view of castle and showing cropmarks of former gardens.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 372553
Scanned copy of a design for improvements to the Thirlestane estate by Captain John Slezer.
© RCAHMS
SC 663865
General oblique aerial view of Sanday and SE coast of Canna looking ESE towards Rum (Rhum), showing Sgor nam Ban-Naomha, a possible early Christian settlement.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 672596
Aerial view of Castle Menzies showing the cropmarks of its former garden.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 683110
View of the conservatory of the Peebles Hydropathic Hotel.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 684694
Historic photograph. General view of original Peebles Hydro. Digital image of PB 1133
© RCAHMS
SC 695367
Seafield House, Ayr, view of entrance elevation with conservatory in foreground.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 695386
View of conservatory, Seafield House, Ayr.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 696218
p.30 View over lake to Rosehaugh Copied from The Brodie Albums 2 in possession of the National Trust for Scotland
© National Trust for Scotland
SC 712215
Hatton House Digital image of engraving of perspective view of hosue and garden. Entitled: 'Argile House' from Theatrum Scotiae by John Slezer.
© RCAHMS
SC 972046
Oblique aerial view centred on the country house and garden, taken from the SSE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1018855
Oblique aerial view of Castle Kennedy showing cropmarks of former garden.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1018862
Oblique aerial view of King's Knot earthwork and garden below Striling Castle.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 016777
Oblique aerial view centred on the remains of the castle, dovecot and walled garden and the church and burial-ground, taken from the SE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 020583
General oblique aerial view centred on the country house with the walled garden in the foreground and the stable in the distance, taken from the S.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 020751
Oblique aerial view centred on the tower-house, remains of the chapel and cropmarks of the terrace garden from the SSE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 025942
Interior. Detail of mechanism for opening roof vents in glasshouse at Achnagairn.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 032745
Ink sketch showing general view of Valleyfield New Garden, Fife. Insc. "View of Valleyfield New Garden" 'MEMORABILIA, JOn. SIME EDINr. 1840'
© Courtesy of HES (Reverend John Sime/
SC 1107259
General oblique aerial view centred on the Rosehaugh Estate, taken from the SSE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 040462
Catalogue of Horticultural Buldings by MacKenzie and Moncur. Range of Plant Houses erected at Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
© Illustration from Catalogue of horticultural buildings etc, MacKenzie and Moncur Ltd, 1907. Courtesy
SC 1120427
View from Waverley gardens looking west also showing the Castle, National Gallery and Scott Monument, inscr; 'PRINCES STREET & CASTLE. EDINBR'
© RCAHMS
SC 1129171
View of Culross House, Fife, by John Slezer and published in Theatrum Scotiae, 1719, showing house and garden. Scanned image from original glass plate negative. Original envelope annotated by Erskine Beveridge 'Culross Abbey Slezer'
© RCAHMS: Erskine Beveridge (N Maylan Collection)
DP 052060
General oblique aerial view centred on the ruins and gardens of Castle Kennedy and Lochinch Castle, taken from the SW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 073592
Oblique aerial view centred on Stirling Castle with Kings Knot beyond, taken from the NW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 073840
View of Wemyss Castle grounds near the gatehouse with a horse-drawn grass cutter in operation in the foreground.
© RCAHMS
DP 094113
Engraving of Montgomerie House and policies. Titled 'Coilfield House'. J. McKinlay delt. R. Scott sc. For the Scots Mag. and Edinr. Literary Misc. Published by A. Constable & Co., 1st August 1812.'
© Courtesy of HES. Illustration in Views in Scotland
SC 1237351
Oblique aerial photograph of St Abb's Head, Kirk Hill with the site of monastery of Coldingham.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1237396
Oblique aerial view centred on the cropmarks of the moated site, taken from the west north west.
© Courtesy of HES (Dr Colin and Dr Paula Martin Collection)
SC 1237398
Oblique aerial view centred on the tower-house and earthworks with the stables and cottage adjacent, taken from the east south east.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 101336
General view of Stirling from the east. Copy of copper plate engraving titled 'The prospect of the town of Sterling from the east. Urbis Sterlini, prospectus ab oriente.' Shown also are areas used once for cultivation.
© Courtesy of HES. Illustration from Theatrum Scotiae by J Sleezer
DP 101340
Edinburgh. Facsimile of Gordon of Rothiemay's Bird's eye view taken in 1647. 'From an impression of the original in the possession of Duncan CowanEsq. one of the Magistrates of the city.' Published by Kirkwood & Son, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES. Illustration from Theatrum Scotiae by J Sleezer
DP 101766
Pl.10 Linlithgow. Copy of copper plate engraving titles 'Prospectus Regis Palatis. Limnuchensis. The Prospect of their Majties Palace of Linlithgow. This plate is most humbly inscribed to the Honble James Conynghame of Milncraig Bart.' Shown is the terracing of the knoll on which the palace stands.
© Courtesy of HES. Illustration from Theatrum Scotiae by J Sleezer
DP 102428
Drawing of 17th century house, since demolished, as seen from North. Very similar to an earlier David Allan drawing.
DP 106452
Copy of engraving titled 'The Colledge of Glasgow'. Pl.18. The view shows the orchards and gardens of the University.
DP 108278
General oblique aerial view of Arbigland House and policies, taken from the ESE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1291613
Oblique aerial view centred on the abbey and manse, taken from the west showing the former yards of the abbey.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 136322
General oblique aerial view of Blair Adam House AND grounds, taken from the ENE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1327140
View of single-arched stone bridge on the Valleyfield Estate.
© Courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (Valleyfield House)
SC 1337827
Detail of the plan of the Valleyfield Estate - the eastern section showing house, garden and park
SC 1339378
View of a man in vegetable garden, possibly at East Silvermills Lane Ironworks, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Thomas Hadden Collection)
SC 1339380
View of two men in a vegetable garden, possibly at East Silvermills Lane Ironworks, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Thomas Hadden Collection)
DP 156669
General view Insc. verso: "Grange Dornoch about 1899" Photograph by Ewing & Company, Dornoch
DP 156675
Historic photograph. View of garden elevation of Gordon Castle from south. Insc, verso: 'Gordon Castle. Duke of Richmond and Gordon, near Fochabers Town Station, Highland Railway. Morayshire.'
DP 156677
Glasgow, Pollok House Engraving showing South of house and bridge over White Cart Water with two figures in foreground fishing. Insc: 'Pollok the seat of Sir John Maxwell Bar.'
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 157208
Main front and garden of The Cairns. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM NO.80: THE CAIRNS ALBUM Album of red morocco. Insc: (gilt), front cover: 'The Cairns. 1858'. Insc: (ink), front end paper: 'To Mrs John P.Kidston with Mr. Burnet's Comp.ts. Sept. 1875' Some leaves stamped 'T. Annan Phot. Glasgow' Bought at Christies, 27th October, 1983' Presentation album of professional photographs by T. Annan, Glasgow, of the interior and exterior of Cairns house near Cambuslang, Glasgow. Photographic reproductions of architect's drawings of the house and also of his plans and elevations of the house and associated buildings. Album seems to have been altered at some stage, p.10 has been removed and reinserted. End paper front v. View of the lodge, Cairns House. View of Nyn Park House. Included is a brief note recording that Andrew Clark, Managing Director of Clyde Paper purchased the house in 1913 from the Duke of Hamilton. [After the War the house lay empty, was vandalised and destroyed by fire, and a housing scheme was built on the site.]
© Courtesy of HES (The Cairns Album)
DP 157354
Page 3v/3 Distant view showing garden of Douglas Support. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM NO 248: Douglas Support
DP 157379
Garden and glasshouses for R F McEwen. Detail of Plans, sections and elevations of gardens and garden features.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 157453
Perspective sketch of Cardy House, Cardy Cottage and Cardy Net Works. Inscribed on verso: 'David Gillies, Net manufacturer. Cardy Works, Largo, Fife.'
SC 516722
Oblique aerial view of castle and showing cropmarks of former gardens.
© Crown Copyright: HES
