Kelso Race Course, Grand Stand
Grandstand (19th Century)
Site Name Kelso Race Course, Grand Stand
Classification Grandstand (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Berry Moss; Kelso Racecourse, Grandstand; Race Stand
Canmore ID 159641
Site Number NT73NW 47.01
NGR NT 72595 35540
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/159641
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Kelso
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Roxburgh
- Former County Roxburghshire
The grandstand at Kelso racecourse was built in 1822 and today forms the central part of a larger structure, with modern wings at either side.
It is thought that John Carr, who also designed grandstands at Doncaster and York, drew up the plans for Kelso in 1788. Certainly, the Kelso building is very similar to that at Doncaster, consisting of a three-storeyed structure with two wide balconies and large windows.
The Kelso races have always proved a big attraction in the Borders. When the current racecourse was opened, there was great delight amongst the people of Kelso, as it was only 1.6km from the town. Previously, the course had been located much further away and was also unpopular, as it had no grandstand.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project
NMRS REFERENCE:
ARCHITECT: John Carr 1778.
EXTERNAL REFERENCE:
Nat. Lib., Scot.
Minto Papers MS/13233. - plans, elevations, sections of Stand with notes.
(Undated) information in NMRS.
Depicted in the 1st edition of the O.S. 6-inch map (Roxburghshire, 1862-3, sheet IX, NE).
Information from RCAHMS (AR), 16 March 2000.
