Edinburgh, Riccarton Estate, Walled Garden
Walled Garden (19th Century)
Site Name Edinburgh, Riccarton Estate, Walled Garden
Classification Walled Garden (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Heriot-watt University
Canmore ID 160154
Site Number NT16NE 57
NGR NT 17773 69297
NGR Description Centred on NT 17773 69297
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/160154
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Currie
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
Project (1 May 2014 - 1 July 2014)
A Cultural Heritage assessment for the Riccarton campus masterplan, Heriot Watt University. was undertaken. The impacts of the proposed development on the Cultural Heritage assets within the campus were assessed.
Information from George Mudie (CFA Archaeology Ltd) July 2014. OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-215625
Desk Based Assessment (1 May 2014 - 1 July 2014)
Earlier 19th century former walled garden, rectangular in plan
measuring approximately 100m by 50m. The garden has a high wall,
red-brick interior with squared sandstone rubble exterior facing, and
doorways in all walls. Lean-to later brick buttresses, garden sheds and
stores are present on the outside of the north wall. The interior has
been surfaced and is currently (2014) in use as visitor car parking.
Information from George Mudie (CFA Archaeology Ltd) July 2014. OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-215625
Archaeological Evaluation (9 February 2015 - 31 March 2015)
An invasive evaluation took place prior to the construction of the National Performance Centre for Sports, at Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton Mains Road, Edinburgh. Sixteen trenches were excavated, eleven on the playing fields (938m²) adjacent to the Hearts Training Ground and five in the Walled Garden (140m²), once associated with Riccarton House. No features were recorded in the area of the playing fields. In the Walled Garden, a cobbled surface may equate to a path shown within the garden on historic maps. Other than a network of drains, no other features were recorded. A survey of the Walled Garden has shown that it is contemporary with the Gardner's Cottage that was built c1823. The Walled Garden is constructed of a uniform red brick laid in EGB. The principal north-west facing elevation has been constructed of both brick and courses of dressed sandstone. Three lean-to buildings (Buildings A-C) and an architecturally ornate former Gardener's Cottage (Building D) have been built against the exterior of the elevation.
Information from Ian Suddaby (CFA Archaeology Ltd) February 2015 OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-204146
Standing Building Recording (11 March 2015)
Level 1 standing building recording survey was carried out prior to its alteration as part of a new developemnt. The walled garden was formerly part of the Riccarton House estate now in the grounds of Heriot Watt University. The walled garden measured c.110 x 50m and was brick built. The 1853 First Ediion map shows a large conservetory attached to its internal south-east facing elevation. This was built against a cavity wall of brick and stone to allow the buiilding to be heated. The survey has shown that the Walled Garden is contemporary with the Gardner's Cottage that was built c1823. The Walled Garden is constructed of a uniform red brick laid in EGB. The principal north-west facing elevation has been constructed of both brick and courses of dressed sandstone. Three lean-to buildings (Buildings A-C) and an architecturally ornate former Gardener's Cottage (Building D) have been built against the exterior of the elevation.
Information from Michael Cressey (CFA Archaeology Ltd) March 2015. OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-206170