Following the launch of trove.scot in February 2025 we are now planning the retiral of some of our webservices. Canmore will be switched off on 24th June 2025. Information about the closure can be found on the HES website: Retiral of HES web services | Historic Environment Scotland
Dumfries House, Walled Garden
Walled Garden (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Dumfries House, Walled Garden
Classification Walled Garden (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 300560
Site Number NS52SW 12.21
NGR NS 53358 20869
NGR Description Centred on NS 53358 20869
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/300560
- Council East Ayrshire
- Parish Auchinleck
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Cumnock And Doon Valley
- Former County Ayrshire
A house called Waterside was located on the north side of the walled garden. It was taken down in 1763. The walled garden was develpoed by the 5th Earl of Dumfries in the 1760's. Since 2010 it has been redeveloped with a number of new buildings and structures including glass houses and terraces. In 2014 it was re-opened by HM The Queen and renamed the Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden.
For more information see RCAHMS publication Dumfries House an Architectural Story.
STG 2014
Archaeological Evaluation (November 2011 - January 2012)
NS 533 208 A phased programme of work was undertaken November 2011 – January 2012 at Dumfries House. A desk-based assessment, topographic survey and structural appraisal were carried out to establish the history, context and formal layout of the walled garden. The geophysical survey recorded several linear anomalies that appeared to correspond to features mapped in the 18th- and 19th-century. A programme of trial trenching was then carried out to verify the presence of these paths and tracks. Nine trenches were excavated using a mechanical digger, and the presence of six paths or tracks was established. Gravel paths to the E and W of the exterior walls of the hot house may be the remains of stone stairs shown on Jacob Thomson's 1832 painting of the garden. A path at the W of the site appears to be the same path found to the S of the hot house, as shown on the 1st Edition OS map of 1860. A metalled surface with adjacent drainage gutter was found at the Dung Gate, and a clay band that may be the foundation of a path was uncovered on the lower terrace.
Archive: RCAHMS (intended)
Funder: The Great Steward of Scotland's Dumfries House Trust
Christine Rennie, GUARD Archaeology Ltd
2012
