North Queensferry, St Margaret's Hope, Archway On Drive

Jacobs Engineering UK was commissioned by Transport Scotland to carry out a level 2 Standing Building Survey at the archway within the grounds of St. Margaret's Hope (NGR: NT 12308 81105). The archway is a Category B-Listed structure and although there is no record noting its construction, it is presumed that the original arch was contemporary with St. Margaret's Hope House, which was build in 1829 by the renowned architect Ernest Newton. As it currently stands, the archway spans the main approach road to the house in a niche cut into the surrounding bedrock. From edge to edge the archway measures 5.36m and the attached battlement with crenulations measures 5.95m. Within its recent history it is visible that the upper portion of the archway has been demolished and subsequently re-erected as the stone work has not weathered greatly and there are modern concrete blocks incorporated within the segmented arch.

Information from Oasis (jacobs1-75598) 26 March 2013

Jacobs Arup was commissioned by Transport Scotland to carry out an archaeological watching brief during the demolition of and recovery of two medieval marriage pediments and associated filial from the archway within the grounds of St. Margaret's Hope (NGR: NT 12308 81105, HB number 6405). The archway is a Category B-Listed structure and although there is no record noting its construction a Building Survey (Jacobs Arup 2010b) has shown it to be a composite folly that may be contemporary with the extensive renovations and extensions conducted in 1916 by the renowned English Arts and Crafts Architect Ernest Newton. Within its recent history the archway has been demolished and subsequently re-erected, as is evidenced by the inappropriate use of modern materials i.e. concrete blocks and Portland cement. The recovery operation was a success and the marriage pediments and filial were deposited with the Huntley House Museum, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

Information from Oasis (jacobs1-97173) 26 March 2013