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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

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Edinburgh, City Of
  • Parish Currie
  • Former Region Lothian
  • Former District City Of Edinburgh
  • Former County Midlothian

Archaeology Notes

NT16NE 57 Centred on NT 17773 69297

The walled garden of the former Riccarton House (NT16NE 10) is visible on large scale vertical air photographs, (OS 65/50/233-4, flown 1965). The garden now falls within the campus of Heriot-Watt Univeristy.

Information from RCAHMS

Activities

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

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