Spottiswoode, Ice-house
Icehouse (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Spottiswoode, Ice-house
Classification Icehouse (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 217887
Site Number NT64NW 33.03
NGR NT 60516 49840
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/217887
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Westruther
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Berwickshire
- Former County Berwickshire
A rectangular ice-house stands to the east of a walled garden in the grounds of Spottiswoode estate. Ice-houses were used to store large blocks of ice, so that during the summer months the ice could be brought into the house as necessary and used to cool meats and beverages.
The ice-house in the Spottiswoode grounds is built of rubble and has a tiled roof, which is in the early stages of collapse.
Often built into the ground to help maintain a constant temperature, ice-houses were filled with ice from local ponds or lochs. The ice was packed with straw for insulation. During the nineteenth century, ice began to be imported from as far away as America.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project