Alternative Names Palace Of Holyrood; Palace Of Holyroodhouse; Holyrood House; Horse Wynd; Abbey Strand
Site type PALACE
Canmore ID 52380
Site Number NT27SE 35.00
NGR NT 26896 73919
Council EDINBURGH, CITY OF
Parish EDINBURGH (EDINBURGH, CITY OF)
Former Region LOTHIAN
Former District CITY OF EDINBURGH
Former County MIDLOTHIAN

Canmore Mapping
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Archaeological Notes

NT27SE 35.00 26896 73919

(Centred NT 2691 7392) Palace of Holyrood House on site of Holyrood Abbey AD 1128 (NR).
OS 25" map, (1931).

NT27SE 35.01 NT 26940 73964 Holyrood Abbey Church
NT27SE 35.02 NT 26876 73941 James IV's Tower
NT27SE 35.03 NT 26949 73952 Abbey Cloister
NT27SE 35.04 NT 26977 73969 Chapter-house
NT27SE 35.05 NT 2696 7400 Burial-ground
NT27SE 35.06 NT 26777 74009 Queen Mary's Bath
NT27SE 35.07 NT 26845 74005 North Garden, Sundial
NT27SE 35.08 NT 26811 73925 Old Gatehouse / Abbey Pend
NT27SE 35.09 NT 2691 7397 Chapel Royal
NT27SE 35.10 NT 26915 73969 Abbey Tower
NT27SE 35.11 NT 26943 73958 Chapel Royal
NT27SE 35.12 NT 26856 73907 Palace Yard, Fountain
NT27SE 35.13 Cancelled
NT27SE 35.14 NT 26814 73950 King Edward VII Memorial
NT27SE 35.15 NT 26861 73838 South Gateway (Palace Yard)
NT27SE 35.16 NT 26824 73968 North Gateway (Abbeyhill)
NT27SE 35.17 NT 26856 73907 Statue to Queen Victoria (Palace yard)
NT27SE 35.18 NT 26823 73908 Guard room (Palace Yard)
NT27SE 36.19 NT 36796 73897 (New) Gatehouse (Palace Yard)
NT27SE 32.20 NT 26829 73883 Stables and Mews (Palace Yard)
NT27SE 35.22 NT 26814 73918 Abbey Court House (Abbey Strand)
NT27SE 35.23 NT 26835 73857 Yard House (Palace Yard)
NT27SE 35.24 NT 26846 73811 Holyrood Lodge

For Queen's Gallery (former Holyrood Free Church and School, at NT 26799 73911), see NT27SE 2081.

For buildings (St Anne's Yards) centred at NT 2699 7380, see NT27SE 3965.

It was James IV who, in 1501, commenced to build a palace in the outer court of Holyrood Abbey originally founded by David I in 1128 AD for Augustinian Canons. No doubt suitable parts of the Abbey were repaired and included, but a new tower, hall, chapel and gatehouse were constructed. James IV did not live to see his work completed, which was continued until 1530, and indeed Pitscottie (J Sinclair 1900) attributes the whole of the work to James V, who however, had only attained the age of 17 when it was stopped.
RCAHMS 1951; J B A A 1935, 186; Gordon of Rothiemay 1647; J Milne 1663; Archaeol J 1936.

The Palace - originally commenced in 1501 by James IV. James IV's tower, the walls of which had been finished as early as 1505, can still be seen at the NW corner of the present building, but the rest of the 16th century palace, excepting a fragment of the gatehouse has been swept away in the course of several reconstructions. The palace itself has an affinity to Tattershall Castle in England and to other palatia on the Continent.(W D Simpson 1935).
The manner in which the Gothic palace of 1544 gave way to an orderly Renaissance layout can be clearly seen from comparison of Gordon of Rothiemays map of 1647 and John Mylne's Survey of 1663.
In November 1650, the palace took fire while occupied by Cromwell's troops but cannot have suffered extensive damage as it was again reoccupied in 1655. After his restoration Charles II resolved to rebuild, which was commenced in 1671 by Robert Mylne, Kings Master Mason in accordance with Sir William Bruce's designs.
RCAHMS 1951.

The Abbey of Holyrood was founded in AD 1128 by David I for Augustinian Canons. This first church was later replaced by a much larger one in the latter part of the 12th century and during the 13th century. There is evidence that an octagonal chapter-house was built about 1400 AD, when the older part of the church fabric began to call for repair. Abbot Crawford provided re-inforcement by means of 'flying buttresses' in the second half of the 15th century. In 1544 Hertfords troops burned and looted the Abbey and it was again repaired in 1633 by Charles I for his Coronation, but in 1758 the roof timbers had decayed and were replaced by stone, which being too heavy for the structure eventually collapsed.
RCAHMS 1951.

All buildings associated with the PALACE and ABBEY have been fully described by the RCAHMS and are under their guardianship.
Visited by OS(JLD) 31 December 1953

NT 269 740 During the upgrading of the Victorian boilerhouse, human remains were uncovered. Excavation by GUARD revealed the remains of a minimum of 38 individuals from two main phases of burial which form part of the medieval and post-medieval cemetery at the abbey church (NT27SE 35.01).
S Bain 1995

NT 2691 7392. Four 1 x 1m trial trenches were excavated by Kirkdale Archaeology in the gardens in the forecourt of the Palace, in advance of the installation of a new water supply. No finds were recovered, and the removed material comprised garden soil and levelling material.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland.
G Ewart and A Dunn 1996.

NT 2691 7392 The trench required for the new services revealed a wall aligned N-S, at a point c 5.8m S of the junction between the SW tower and the S wall of the palace. It was of two periods of build, the earlier element with indications of moulding on its W side, and perhaps, therefore, part of the formal structures associated with either palace or abbey buildings.
However, the secondary wall was clearly of more rustic build, and together they appeared to reflect a form of crude outbuilding, nonetheless pre-dating the present 19th-century garden layout.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
G Ewart 1997

The above line stating that that the Palace and Abbey are under the guardianship of RCAHMS is incorrect as they are under the guardianship of the Royal House of Holyrood.
Information from RCAHMS (RHM) 19 February 1998.

NT 269 738 The archaeological work at Holyrood Palace (NMRS NT27SE 35.00) involved the investigation of an area of ground to be disturbed in excavations in advance of the installation of parking meters in the area immediately to the E of the palace boundary wall. The deposits exposed were consistent, and all appeared to be modern.
NT 2691 7392 The digging of a trench to carry a pipe needed to upgrade the water supply within the palace and gardens was monitored. In most cases the new trench followed the line of earlier works. Evidence was found of the initial levelling of the site, the abbey construction, pits - mostly thought to be graves, and later levelling.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
A Radley 1999

NT 2691 7392 A number of archaeological works have been completed in the Palace of Holyroodhouse over the past 12 months:
The Piazza. Five trial trenches were excavated in December 1999 in the Piazza, a grassed area enclosed by a paved, arcaded quadrangle within the Palace of Holyroodhouse, to locate the cast-iron pipe serving the sprinkler system inside the palace. Archaeological supervision was implemented when a small amount of the trench had been excavated by the Historic Scotland squad, and they had observed in situ masonry. As work continued, topsoil deposits were removed by the squad and the material below by the archaeologists, sometimes with assistance from the squad. The trenches were up to 1m deep. No significant archaeological features were recorded, beyond the location of the masonry structures uncovered.
A further programme of clearance and landscaping was undertaken in May 2000 to remove the deposit of ash below the Piazza turf prior to the laying of a new lawn. The bulk of the spoil removal was by machine, and an archaeological presence was maintained throughout.
The majority of the features encountered comprised services, these being recorded principally to show areas of disturbance.
The Forecourt. A watching brief was carried out in the forecourt to the W of the palace between February and March 2000. The only archaeological feature revealed comprised a remnant wall in line with the walling seen at the W gate, and this was interpreted as a possible earlier boundary wall for the forecourt.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
A Dunn 2000

NT 2692 7389 Excavation and monitoring works were undertaken between July and September 2001, in advance of an extensive programme of the upgrading of services for the Palace of Holyroodhouse (NMRS NT27SE 35). Excavation was undertaken in two areas - the forecourt, and the S side of the piazza within the palace complex. The trenches in the forecourt were narrow and dug to a general depth of approximately 1.5m for the subsequent location of new service conduits. The cutting ran in a series of stages, from the main entrance of the palace on its W side round to meet the Archers Gate on the S side of the palace. Evidence was retrieved of at least three courtyard/parade ground surfaces, generally cobbled and metalled surfaces. The sequence appears to reflect forecourt levels from late monastic occupation of the site, the later 17th century, and the 19th century. The earliest surface is generally of 15th-century date and demonstrates how much the forecourt levels had been raised over the two successive periods.
At one point a N-S aligned covered drain was revealed, sealed by the last metalled surface, appearing therefore to represent early medieval occupation of this part of the abbey precinct. The area to the S of the W side of the palace revealed evidence of various 18th-century additions to the palace as depicted on the Edgar map of 1742. However, more substantial footings were revealed, perhaps revealing structures depicted on this part of the site on the 1647 Rothiemay perspective.
Within the S alley of the 17th-century piazza, evidence was found of a series of buildings demolished at the time of the Charles II rebuilding of the palace, but which generally respect a similar plan/footprint. These structures comprised at least one internal space with a hearth, but which lay near/was linked to service structures or spaces on the evidence of cobbled surfaces and paving. These elements appear to be part of the post-medieval palace layout, but which may in turn derive from earlier monastic ranges/structures. The earliest feature so far revealed was some sort of oven or forge complex located at the W end of the S alley of the piazza. This comprised a well-constructed flue or ash pit with much associated burning and heat-affected surfaces; pottery retrieved from the infill of this structure suggests at least a 14th-century date for its late use.
A watching brief was also maintained on cable laying throughout the SW corner of the palace complex over three floors.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
G Ewart 2000

NT 269 739 The results of the recent fieldwork programme can be described in terms of a series of rebuilding and clearance works completed on the site primarily after the construction of the NW Tower by James V in 1529-32 (Period III, 1550-1650). Certain residual structures and deposits were picked up within the Piazza and Forecourt areas, and they are separated on the basis of pottery evidence. The earliest period (Period I, 1150-1350) has shown activity in the form of drains and a possible ditch - the former lying to the W of the present Palace, and the latter to the S. The Period II (1350-1550) episodes refer to late monastic activity within the area of the ranges to the S of the Abbey Church, later absorbed as the Piazza in Period III.
With the exception of these residual features, the bulk of the findings of the excavation demonstrated that the area immediately W of the developing Palace saw repeated infilling after the 1530s, forming a succession of road/yard surfaces. Within the Piazza, a series of chambers was identified of 15th/16th-century date. The area S of the Palace also picked up evidence of the 17th-century extensions in this area - primarily attempts to regularise the 16th-century Palace plan. The construction of the SW Tower and the demolition of a variety of late monastic ranges saw the partial incorporation of earlier structures within the new S side of the Piazza, commenced in the 1670s.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: HS
G Ewart (Kirkdale Archaeology) 2002

NT 269 739 During the extensive renovation and upgrading works on parts of the N Range of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the downtaking of the dividing wall between Rooms 13 and 15 (N range, third floor) revealed that it was of unusually high-quality work. This wall was a simple stud partition with lightweight laminate wall fabric with wallpaper finish, but after removal of the wall surfaces (by contractors) the timber framework was recorded prior to removal.
The timber frame comprised a series of vertical and horizontal beams with two diagonal bracing beams. The entire structure was of pine and was assembled prior to fixing against floor and ceiling. This was achieved by a series of heavy iron bolts with plate terminals and a central tie rod.
The following inscription was seen, written in pencil in a 'Copperplate' hand:
Wm. Dunnet
Joiner Sept 20th 1900
Holyrood
The quality of the work is surprisingly high and the metalwork is also of good quality. The latter are of unusual design and may have been custom made. All this may indicate high quality control for a major reworking of the upper floor, from a series of large spaces to smaller individual chambers, at the turn of the 19th/20th century.
Also during this programme, numerous floorboards, fittings and doors were removed by contactors. This work was monitored.
At ground-floor level, within the present kitchens, excavation in advance of new gas mains installation revealed the presence of human burials. These comprised evidence of four mature adults, two juveniles, one child, and one baby. Due to the constraints of the area opened, only a brief record was feasible, and they were not disturbed any further. The individuals appeared to be part of a secular graveyard lying to the N and W of the Abbey Church, pre-dating the construction of the later 17th-century Palace and any possible 16th-century precursor.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: HS
G Ewart (Kirkdale Archaeology) 2002

NT 269 739 Archaeological monitoring was undertaken in November 2001 while a cable trench was cut through the South Gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The layers exposed below the S lawn consisted of topsoil, levelling debris, and demolition debris sealing cobble surfaces with occupation or post-occupation deposits and cut-away wall-lines. The excavation of this area revealed 23m of almost continual structure, comprising from the N: a cobbled area; a massive E-W wall-line; a N-S return; a truncated E-W wall; a buttress or plinth structure; a large E-W wall; a cobbled area with open drain; and finally a thin E-W wall. The principal alignment for these structures is E-W, but it is noted that they are offset from the E-W alignment of the Palace by c 15o.
The layers exhibited where the trench cut into the road consisted of three layers of metalling and levelling over subsoil. These layers sealed only one structure - a vaulted culvert seen at the far S end of the trench.
The likelihood is that the trench has cut across a range of E-W aligned structures commencing from the N end with a cobbled street or courtyard bounded to the S by a massive load-bearing wall with a chamber against the S face of it.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: HS
G Ewart 2002

NT 269 738 A programme of standing building recording and archaeological monitoring was undertaken between September 2002 and March 2003 in the N range of Holyrood Palace during intrusive works and alterations (see DES 2002, 51). Most of this work involved the baseline recording of features on the third floor, especially the examination of underfloor features exposed during work carried out as part of the ongoing Services Upgrade Project. Structural features uncovered in the E wall of the ground-floor kitchen were closely examined, where it was noted that the E end of the kitchen abuts the W end of the abbey church and is the oldest standing part of the existing palace, incorporating parts of the medieval abbey. There was evidence for a possible doorway between the palace and church, converted into a kitchen fireplace, and for more recent kitchen ventilation and storage features.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: HS
G Ewart 2003

NT 269 738 Broad Pavement. Trial trenching was undertaken at the Broad Pavement car park in January 2003 to establish the nature of the deposits in the 1.5m of ground below the present surface. The procedure involved the cutting of four test pits by machine at relevant points along the length of the car park.
Further larger-scale excavations were monitored between February and March 2003 over the entire car park plus an adjacent area of grass to the SW.
It seems that a shallow, low-lying depression at the base of the Crags became filled by a large volume (at least 250 x 40m) of sewage from the Canongate and Cowgate. This area then appears to have been cultivated before finally being sealed over and landscaped.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: HS
G Ewart 2003

NT 268 739 A watching brief was undertaken between January and March 2004 during a small excavation for the planting of a large tree located to the W of the Palace forecourt. Relatively modern structural features were removed and earlier, possibly 18th-century, features were left intact and were not considered to be under threat by future root growth.
NT 269 738 As part of a comprehensive upgrade in services within and N of the N Range of the Palace (DES 2003, 72), two trenches were excavated in August and September 2004. The first cut across the raised platform immediately N of the Palace block and uncovered evidence of its construction and drainage, suggesting it formed part of the late 17th-century rebuilding of the Palace.
The other trench cut across the N side of the Piazza and revealed evidence of modern service installation. A late 17th-century door was discovered in situ on the ground floor, recently obscured by boarding to receive electricity cables.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: HS.
A Radley 2004

Standing building recording; watching brief NT 269 738 This phase of services upgrading (DES 2004, 56) affects the NW tower of the Palace complex, and as such retains evidence of the evolution of the site from some form of monastic
guest accommodation, possibly developed by James IV and later developed by James V, before its ultimate absorption within the late 17th-century plan largely extant today. Detailed evidence of floor construction, remodelling of doors and windows, and a complex sequence of changes of access are being recorded.
Archive to be deposited in NMRS.
Sponsor: HS.
G Ewart 2005

c NT 269 739 A watching brief was undertaken in April 2005 during the excavation of extensive trenches in the gardens around the Palace of Holyroodhouse (NT27SE 35.00) and the abbey (NT27SE 35.01). The archaeological potential of these areas was somewhat limited by the extensive landscaping works undertaken in the gardens over the last two centuries, although there was a higher chance of encountering buried features near the ruinous abbey. There were no finds or features of archaeological significance.
Archive to be deposited in NMRS.
Sponsor: HS.
D Stewart 2005

NT 269 738 As part of the final stage of the services upgrade programme for the palace, elements of the NW Tower of James V were recorded in advance of new service track installation between October and December 2005. The recent survey work and documentary research has reviewed the original layout of the tower and its later history.
The tower was conceived of as a free-standing structure, to the NW of and slightly detached from the pre-existing palace. Its ground floor consisted of two chambers with stone barrel-vaults, the western of which still survives. In August 1529, when the surviving documentation begins, the vaults were already in place and work had started on the upper walls.
The internal space of the tower consisted of two principal rooms on each floor, with smaller rooms in the western rounds. These rooms on the first and second floors formed the outer and inner chambers of the stacked royal lodging. Each of these apartments had separate access. The continued rebuilding of the palace by James V saw the integration of the originally freestanding tower with adjacent structures.
Access to the gardens to the N was by means of a raised timber gallery entered from a new door in the N wall of the outer chamber. This gallery was demolished in 1676 and replaced with a stone-built wing intended as an extension of the royal apartments.
The stair in the NE round was extended upwards to give access to both the upper floor of the tower and the E quarter. This made the smaller stair within the wall of the tower redundant.
The two straight stairs connecting in the N wall of the inner chambers were replaced by a turnpike stair that rose from the ground floor. This is likely to have been inserted when the northern extension was created in c 1676.
After the demolition of the northern extension in the early 19th century , the N wall was refaced and new narrow slit windows placed to light the stair. The doorway from the first floor was sealed and the inner part of this aperture converted into a cupboard.
Archive to be deposited in NMRS.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
Gordon Ewart and Dennis Gallagher, 2006.

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Architectural Notes

NT27SE 35.00 26896 73919

ARCHITECTS:
-Sir William Bruce -contract 1672;
-Robert Mylne -Master Mason-directed work until completion in 1679;
-O R Hay -interior restoration;
-Henry F Kerr -ceilings of state apartments;
-James Smith, arch -Sutherland Monument;
-A Handyside Ritchie -Queen Victoria in forecourt 1851. Displaced c1860;
-Thomas Clayton -working on Hamilton apartments 1738;
-Mr Norrie -gilding and painting;
-Robert Reid -report on work done 1836. Throne Room made presentable 1822; rebuilding of South East quarter because of subsidence; rebuilding of one of South towers original of rubble, replacing of parapets and complete refacing of South front original of rubble, new roof angle, North West angle of Palace, Duke of Hamilton's apartments, woodwork cut out and new plastered, refinishing the woodwork, remainder of apartment which was jutting out as a wing pulled down and made good; Abbey Court House taken down and rebuilt-all 1824-34;
-Robert Matheson -new ceiling and refit of Throne Room 1856 (D R Hay & Co -decorators) (Ramage copied Throne Room cornice in his own house at 27 Howe Street, Edinburgh); Marquis of Breadalbane's apartments South side, second floor up replanned including destruction of large ornamental ceiling to get in a corridor (destroyed thick glass and glazing bars) 1860;
- George Jameson -carver, laying marble floor in Queen Mary's Room 1753;
-M T Oldrieve -reconstruction of West drawing room (Scott Morton as contractor) 1911, redecoration of Throne Room 1913-14;
-Chimneypiece in Duke of York's corridor sitting room came from Lothian Street and was put up in 1824;
-Layout of Holyrood Park commenced 1846;
-Fountain erected 1858

NMRS Print Room
Inglis Photograph Collection Acc No 1994/90
Exterior:
Edward VII memorial, 5 views (6 prints)
Visit of Queen Mary
2 views of another ceremonial visit
General view of front (2 prints)
Engraving published 1794
Inner courtyard
Garden and view of King's Park
2 views of West elevation (5 prints)
Throne Room:
VR
ER VII, 3 views
after alteration, before picture hanging, 3 prints
GR V, 3 views (5 prints)
GR VI, 7 views (17 prints)
Morning Drawing room, 3 views (4 prints)
State room, 27, formerly Queen Victoria's bedroom, 4 views (8 prints)
State room, 25, formerly Prince Albert's dressing room, 5 views (16 prints)
Evening Drawing room
State room, 3 views (4 prints)
Duchess of Hamilton's drawing room (2 prints)
Household dining room (2 prints)
Grand stair, 3 views (4 prints)
The picture gallery (3 prints AI.911)
Rooms in the North West Tower:
4 views of the closet (7 prints including 3 AI, nos 91 & 810)
Stair off the closet (3 prints)
Queen Mary's bedchamber, 3 views (5 prints)
Lord Darnley's audience chamber
Queen Mary's audience chamber, 3 views (5 prints)
Picture of George IV at Holyroodhouse
11 close views of pieces of furniture (12 prints)
?temporary kitchen for royal visit 1911?

REFERENCE: NMRS LIBRARY(?)
Photocopy of extract from SRO/MW/2/53. Preparations for State visit by Queen Victoria, 1842.
Furniture History XIV, 1978 -M Swain "Royal State beds at Holyrood".
S.M.T. Magazine, January 1946 -illustrated article.
Lewis Spence, "Romantic Edinburgh" -pamphlet.
J. West, "Holyrood Palace Abbey Porch" -engraving.
S.M.T. "Coronation Annal", 1953 -article and photographs.
Country Life, 15th and 22nd July 1911 -article and photographs.

NMRS Print Room
W Schomberg Scott Photograph Collection, Acc no 1997/39
View inside the courtyard.

REFERENCE: SCOTTISH NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
Country Life, 26th August 1949, page 606 -article.

REFERENCE: MITCHELL LIBRARY, GLASGOW
Annan Volume 1 (2-58) No. 18 -photograph.
Annan Volume 1 (2-58) No. 22 -photograph of fountain and Royal Wing.
"A Souvenir of the Abbey and Palace of Holyrood", published by D. Anderson, 1849 -series of engravings.
"Water Colour Sketches, Series of" by Thos. Brown -Ref. "ADV.MSS.34.8.1-3".
Country Life, 2nd April 1921 -article on memorial gates to King Edward VII.
Country Life, 28th June 1928 -photograph.
Country Life, 25th July 1931 -article on the State Rooms.

REFERENCE: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND
"Uncatalogued MSS of General hutton", Volume 1, No 79 -Plan of Chapel, 1813.
"Water Colour Sketches, Series of" by Thos. Brown -Ref. "ADV.MSS.34.8.1-3".
Archaeologica Scotica Vol 4 -Fountain (page 14), St Albans, etc.

REFERENCE: MR J.G. DUNBAR(?)
Building Chronicle Vol 2, p.102, September 1st 1856 -contains text about throne room ceiling.

REFERENCE: NRAS/SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE
Annandale Papers per NRAS/SRO -Bundle 825
Da. Crauford to Lord Annandale. Hamilton, 22 November 1699. The DUchess of Hamilton has sent an order to her underkeeper to deliver to recipient the rooms contained in the King's letter (?in Holyrood), as soon as the Duke's furniture can be moved.

REFERENCE: SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE
Office of Works:
E/342/1 -1827, January -1833, December.
Volume containing copies of correspondence, etc. between exchequer and Reid. Indexed.
E/342/2 -1827, January -1839, May.
Volume containing copies of Reid's letters and reports, etc. Indexed.
Holyroodhouse:
E/342/3 -1822, September -1825, January.
Volume containing copies of letters, reports, etc. by Reid and others.
E/342/4 -1711-18.
Hereditary keeper. Papers relating to fees payable to Duchess of Hamilton (3 items).
E/342/5 -1733 (and undated).
Repairs and decoration (3 items): 1) Draft report to treasury on condition of fabric, following inspection by William Adam, 19 July 1733; 2) Account of sums paid to tradesmen out of ?3,000 imprested for repairs in 1733 (Individual tradesmen's accounts are in Edinburgh University Library, Laing MSS, La.11-88); 3) Estimate for painting gallery, n.d.
E/342/6 -1746, July 25.
Underkeeper. Commission by Duke of Hamilton to Dr William Pitcairn as "depute and underkeeper".
E/342/7 -1750-3.
Bonfires. Accounts of bonfires on "rejoicing days" in Abbey Court and on Arthur's Seat (2 items).
E/342/8 -1761-81.
Apartments. Copies of royal warrants granting use of lodgings or apartments within Palace (3 items, water-damaged).
E/342/9 -1773-1833.
Abbey debt. Papers and accounts relating to sums due to architects and tradesmen for work on Abbey (Chapel Royal) in 1758, assigned to various persons and lastly to trustees of James Baird, Deputy King's Remembrancer, for behoof of his daughters (29 items), including: 3) Certified copy of petition and order relating to sums due to James Douglas, architect in Edinburgh, and James McPherson, mason at Dean, with state of balance, 1781; 4) State of balance, 1807, including memorandum on payments made from 1758 onwards; 27) Draft discharge by James Baird's daughters (1816); 29) Draft report on application of vacant stipends for repayment of debt, 28 november 1832, bearing note of letter to treasury, 12 April 1833.
E/342/10 -1791
Repairs. Receipted account by Young, Trotter and Hamilton for repairs to Lord Adam Gordon's lodgings and furniture, 1790-1, including statement of sums due by him to Young and Trotter, 1776-89 (fire-damaged).
E/342/11 -1794-5.
Repairs (2 items, water-damaged): 1) Account by Marshall and Armstrong for plumber work on roof and pipes, February-November 1794; 2) Estimate for slater work on roof, 30 June 1795.
E/342/12 -1801-30.
Apartments, etc. Papers relating to allocation of apartments and other matters (37 items, made up into file), including: 4) Memorandum on apartments formerly occupied by Lord Adam Gordon, later claimed by Earl of Breadalbane, 1814; 5-12) Report on application by Henry Lloyd, D.D., Regius Professor of Hebrew at Cambridge, for rooms, 1808, with letters from Lloyd and other papers; 18) Letter from Robert Reid reporting on alleged nuisance from nearby candle factory, 21 June 1809; 19) Report on furniture, etc. following removal of French nobility, 14 January 1815; 28) Letter from Robert Brown (Reid's assistant) reporting on water supply, 22 April 1817; 31) Letter from Brown reporting on chimney vents, 1 February 1820; 32) Memorandum on apartments occupied by Countess of Strathmore (formerly Lady Campbell) and furniture therein, 1830.
E/342/13 -1801-22
Furniture. Inventories, valuations and related papers (24 items, made up into file), including: 1) Inventory of furniture represented as belonging to Countess of Strathmore, 23 July 1822; 2) Roup roll of old furniture sold, 9 July 1816; 7) Letter concerning delivery of furniture purchased for "Monsieur" (Comte D'Artois), 15 December 1801 (Account of furniture purchased by Barons for him, 1796, is in Edinburgh University Library, Laing MSS, La.11-488/29); 8-10) Lists of furniture required for French nobility, 1801; 13) List of lunen required for "Monsieur", 1802; 22) Inventory and valuation of furniture in apartments on South side (Lord Adam Gordon's lodgings), 1815; 24) Inventory and valuation of furniture in Royal apartments, November 1814, certified by John Caird, appraiser and auctioneer, 7 February 1815 (see also 5, 6, 23).
E/342/14 -1807, August 11.
Chapel Royal. Commission under privy seal to Thomas Lamb as beadle and keeper.
E/342/15 -1809-25.
Repairs, etc. Reports and papers on various subjects (14 items, made up as file), including: 1) Letter from Robert Reid, reporting on storm damage, 20 December 1809; 2)Report by Robert Reid on fabric of Abbey Church and work needed to preserve it, 18 December 1815; 5) Report by Reid on estimates for re-roofing Abbey Church, 29 January 1816; 6) Estimate by James Brown, 19 January 1816; 7) Draft memorandum on jurisdiction of Bailie of Holyroodhouse and his prison, 20 March 1823; 8) Report on Royal vault, with reference to interment of Duchesse of Gramont, 21 October 1825, with copies of minutes on removal of her body for transportation to France, 22-24 October 1825; 9-10) Reports on Duke of Hamilton's request fro apartments as hereditary keeper, 7 March-25 November 1825.
E/342/16 -1810.
Insurance. North British Insurance Company policy for Palace and contents, 27 June 1810.
E/342/17 -1816-56.
Adjacent properties. Reports and other papers relating to properties adjacent to Holyroodhouse (16 items, made up into file), including: 1-7) Report on application by Alison Gavin for compensation for closure of right of way to her property of Croftangry (Croft an Righ), 1816, with inventory of titles and letters from Mrs Gavin and her agent, 26 August 1816-6 March 1817; 8-15) report on property purchased from John Mowbray, WS, 3 June 1828, with titles of said property, 1765-1828; 9) Draft discharge relating to property fallin to Crown as ultimus haeres, 1856.
E/342/18 -1822-3.
Furniture. Inventory, signed by John Caird, of furniture in Royal apartments delivered to Duke of Hamilton, September 1823 (altered from 1822).
E/342/19 -1822-5.
Repairs. Letters and reports from Robert Reid and others (16 items, made up into file), including: 3) Estimate for erecting staging ion picture gallery for peers' election, 1822; 6) Copy of report by Reid to Surveyor General of Board of Works on state of Palace, including estimated cost of repairs, 7 September 1822; 9) Report by Reid on works proposed for current year, 15 May; 10) Petition to treasury by H.M. house carpenter and plasterer, H.M. master mason and H.M. glazier for employment on works at Holyroodhouse, 1824; 11) Letter from Reid reporting on progress of works, 14 December 1825.
E/342/20 -1826, December 1.
Chapel Royal. Memorial on sums received for burials since 1819.
E/342/21 -1831, May-June.
Adjacent properties. Case and opinion of Lord Advocate concerning road across St Ann's Yards to Clockmiln, with related papers (4 items).
Building and Works (Holyroodhouse).
E/342/22 -1837, September.
Repairs. Draft account of Sir Henry Jardine's receipts and expenditure, 1833-6, with letter requesting particulars of parliamentary grant in 1822 (2 items).
E/342 -Buildings and Works.
The barons of exchequer were responsible for Crown property in Scotland, including buildings not in military use. Except at Holyroodhouse little work was done prior to the appointment of Robert Reid as King's architect (1808) and master of works (1824). In 1827 an Office of Works for Scotland was set up under Reid, acting under the direction of the Barons until 1833 and the Commissioners of Woods until 1839, when it was suppressed. Material relating to Holyroodhouse includes some survivors from a box of papers and accounts destroyed by the fire of 1811. Other documents were collected and made up into files by Sir Kenneth Mackenzie (K&LTR, 1900-21). Some of these relate to furniture in the palace and to its occupants, including the Comte D'Artois and other French emigres. Other buildings represented in the papers include some which were not Crown property but which received special grants, administered or supervised by the Barons and King's Remembrancer. The Law Court buildings form a separate class (E/343).

REFERENCE: SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE
Letter concerning estimate for repairs. Plumber and slater work so necessary that without repairs Holyroodhouse may go to ruins. Limit to be ?1000. James Smith, mason to John Clerk.
1720 GD 18/5004

Recommendations of workmen for the repair of Holyroodhouse.
1733 GD 18/5006 and 5007

Two fragments of a warrant to demolish and rebuild buildings above the front of the West quarter which were erected during the Commonwealth. Sent by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to the Surveyor General, Sir William Bruce.
1676 GD 1/51/53

Copy of sketch of rooms in Holyroodhouse, Lord Breadalbane's apartments.
1826 GD/112/20/5

Charles Mack, Mason. Masons repairs-account to Lord Glenorchy. His lodgings in the Abbey of Holyrood House. Mending of Laundry chimney and copper in the wash house. Furnishing-a polished hearthstone in my Lady's Drawing Room, 16'4". Building up false backs of chimneys. Building storeholes in the kitchen. Sloping out a window in the washing house. Heightening a dyke on the South side of the Palace. Building up and altering a door. Putting up iron batts for fixing lintel of Dining Room chimney.
1751 GD 112/21/286/36

Lord Glenorchy's lodgings in the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. James Norie, painter. Account includes the painting of a room on the first storey and the Steward's room.
1751 GD 112/21/286/58

Letter from (Sir) Patrick Walker to Lord Melville on preparation needed at Holyroodhouse before the King's visit. Reply from Lord Melville. "...it will require a good deal of painting, the smell of which is particularly offensive to the King, it becomes necessary both of that account and in justice to the holders of apartments who fall to be removed to enter upon the consideration of business as soon as possible. I am continuing my searches in the records of the period of Royal visits and have found many curious documents..."
1821 GD 51/5/124

Report on the condition of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and of Stirling Castle. James Smith, Surveyor of Her Majesty's Works.
1707 GD 124/15/471

Report on the Palace of Holyroodhouse. "The Palace of Holyroodhouse is in so dismal a condition both in the roof and windows that I am ashamed to write of it, but there is an absolute necessity of keeping it in repair, otherwise it will inevitably perish." He suggests an outlay of ?500.
1707 GD 124/15/471

Odd accounts. "Docqueted by D. of Hamilton in 1739". Glass for "The Kirk of the Palace". Work performed by Jo Burns, carver. Marble furnished to the Palace. Windows to the Palace and Temple. Windows to the lodging at the Abbey. Fea of Clestrain.
1770 GD 31/55L

Measurement of the King's room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Letter from Gris, Countess of Marchmont, to her son. She asks the Earl of Marchmont to take Willie Provan with him and measure the room so that hangings may be made. He is also to check what other rooms are available for the use of the Commissioner and his family. (Typed copy).
1698 GD 206/2/587/2

Painting part of Lord Glenorchy's lodgings in the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. Account for painting the room on the first storey and the Steward's room from James Norrie (1684-1757).
1751 GD 112/21/286/58

Painterwork at Holyroodhouse. Letter from Sir Patrick Walker to Lord Melville. He writes that Holyroodwould require "a good deal of painting" before the King's visit.
1821 GD 51/5/124

"Repairs at the Abbey". 4 accounts included in report of claims made by John Adam architect on behalf of himself and his father, William, against Duke of Hamilton. They amount to ?710 and cover the years 1739-1745. Fea of Clestrain.
(William Adam entrusted with redecoration and refurnishing of Duke of Hamilton's apartments in 1739).
1770 GD 31/554

Repair of the Lord Chancellor's and Duke of Hamilton's lodgings. Warrant by the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury.
1673 GD 29/95

Repair of rooms and offices (for my Lord Privy Seal). Warrant by the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury to Sir William Bruce as Surveyor General.
1675 GD 29/97

Glass of Church of Holyrud hous. Fragments of warrant for repair of windows and preparation of accommodation there for the High Commissioner. Sent by the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury to the Surveyor General, Sir William Bruce of Balcaskie.
1673 GD 1/51/50

Various work in Abbey lodging (of Lord Breadalbane) for John Murray, including new chimney piece (other work for him 1746-see under 1742).
April-September 1747 RH 9/1/156

"To a hansum Mort Coffine covered in black cloath and greend within handles roops and fringes for Mrs Bartla." ?2 (i.e. widow of Charles Barclay)
"To a hansum Mort Coffine covered with cloath having the same mounting". ?2. Settled February 1751
1748 RH 9/1/157

Vouchers of factors accounts 1643-1797
GD 112/15

226/5 Casements set in lead 1725-7

REFERENCE: SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE
EARL OF BREADALBANE'S APARTMENTS
Suite formerly Lord Balcarres's granted to Lord Breadalbane by Queen Anne.
21 October 1708 GD 112/20/5 (Breadalbane MSS)

Made over, by Queen Caroline's authority, Second Earl to Lord Glenorchy (hence his numerous improvements and alterations).
1735 GD 112/20/5

Suite granted by King in continuance of grant to former Earls.
1781 GD 112/20/5

Sketched 20th December by Thomas Wallace, wright (paid 10/-), excluding rooms lent to Lord Adam Gordon, room now occupied by King's Bodyguard, and garret storey, all formerly part of suite. (Plan enclosed)
1826 GD 112/20/5 (Breadalbane MSS)

(Breadalbane letters)
Second Earl of Breadalbane to (John Campbell of the Bank), Sugnall (Staffs). On formality of warrant for his Holyrood lodging. What work was done this summer at Abbey? "If all mt roof is finished and all my garett windowes glased, and the gearets plaistered, if the great old building as you goe into St Anns yeard be pulled down..."
5 October 1734 GD 50/10 (McGregor Colin)

Alterations to the kitchen of the Earl of Breadalbane's apartments in the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. Payments to tradesmen. Noted in the personal account book of the Third Earl of Breadalbane.
1770 GD 112/21/80

The Earl of Breadalbane's apartments at Holyroodhouse. Sketch and measurement.
1826 GD 112/20/5

Oak panelling for the "Elizabethan hall" at Holyrood Palace. Letter to the Marquis of Breadalbane from W.M. Smith, Edinburgh. He has received the designs for carved oak panels and an Elizabethan chimney piece from Mr S Pratt of New Bond Street, London and now forwards his specification and estimates for the Marquis' approval.
1844 GD 112/20/5

Repair of the roof of the Earl of Breadalbane's lodgings in the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. Payment to John Graham, plumber.
1758 GD 112/9/42/2

John Ogilvie, wright to Lord Breadalbane (Second Earl) per John Murray Esq. April 2, wrights making servants' beds and mending furniture in Abbey 16s(hillings). May and August-"My Lady's floor" (i.e. Lady Edward Murray, John Murray's mother?)
1742 RH 9/1/156

LORD GLENORCHY'S LODGINGS
Repair and alterations to Lord Glenorchy's lodgings in the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. Account for the repair of chimneys, for furnishing a polished hearth in the little dining room, raising of the old hearth and laying the new. Mason: Charles Mack.
1751 GD 112/21/286/37

Joiner's work done in Lord Glenorchy's apartment in the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. Payment to Runciman of ?96.7.8. Noted in the personal account book of John, Lord glenorchy, later Third Earl of Breadalbane.
1750 GD 112/21/78

Repairs to Lord Glenorchy's lodging in the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Account for smith work from John Lethem.
1708-13 GD 112/20/5

Repair of Lord Glenorchy's lodgings in the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. Account for the repair of chimneys, building of stoveholes, sloping out of a window in the washing house, altering a door and heightening a dyke on the South side of the Palace. Mason: Charles Mack.
1751 GD 112/21/286/36

MONTROSE'S LODGINGS
Montrose's lodging at the Abbey has been burned by the negligence of a servant after ti was entirely furnished. Letter from the First Earl of Seafield to James, First Duke of Montrose.
1703 GD 220/5/48

REFERENCE: SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE
Extracts from "Diaries of a Duchess (Elizabeth, Duchess of Northumberland), 1926 1760""July 1: Lord Belhaven dined with us and gave us an invitation to his house in Scotland (at Alnwick).
August 7th: We arrived at the Abbey of Holyrood House, where we found the Provost of Edinburgh and Lord Chief Baron Ord ready. The lodgings very good and handsome; our Drawing Room, the Place where the young Pretr. kept all his Plans: 2 excellent Flemish Pictures of 2 Youths and a Picture of James 5, Mary's Father, who first converted the Abbey into a Palace and built one of the Towers. The new Quadrangle, built soon after the Restoration, is much like Somerset House, a Colonade quite round too storeys above it on all sides but the Front, where there is only the Gallery over the Colonade and above the Leads with a Clock under a Royal Crown. Over the Entrance is the Arms of Scotland. Sr. Wm. Bruce was the Architect.
August 8th: Abbey of Holyrood House. We walk'd all over the Palace from some of the Windows you have a view of Arthur Seat an immense Rock, wch Ly. Milton told me her Grandfather remembered it all cover'd with wood, but is now entirely bare. The Apartments are ver fine, I think full equal to Hampton Court. in some of the are hung up some pictures (he having no rooms of his own large enough to contain them) of Lord Mortons wch he bought in France of the Battles of Alexr. said to be copys of the Famous Ones by Le Brun himself. The Gallery is 150 ft. long and furnish'd with ye portraits of all the Kings of Scotland including James ye 6 (the 1st of England). I also went to see Mary Q of Scots Bedchamber (a very small one it is) from whence David Rizzio was drag'd out and stabb'd in the Ante Room, where is some of his Blood which they cannot get wash'd out. When we had viewed the Abbey we went to the Parliament Ho....."

REFERENCE: SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE
PHYSIC GARDEN
Edinburgh. The putting in order of The Gardens about the Palace of Holyrood and the setting up of a Physic Garden Royal Warrant (copy) appointing Mr James Sutherland, botanist, a yearly pension of ?50 stg for his work and for teaching others the knowledge of plants.
1703/4 GD/220/6/1742/3

QUARRY
Quarrying of stone from the Park of Holyroodhouse. Licence to Mr William Litell of Over Liberton to draw stone from the Park for his buildings in Edinburgh. Signed T Hamilton.
Liberton Papers 1558-1793 (page 72).
1645 GD/122/iv/no.19

TENNIS COURT
Making of a Tennis Court near the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Warrant addressed to the Earl of Mar treasurer and Sir Archibald Naper of Merchiston, Kt for payment to Alexander Peeres of ?50 stg. towards his charge. Superscribed Charles R. (Windsor).
1625 GD90/2/58

NMRS REFERENCE:
Printroom
Historic Postcard, Acc.no. 1993/149
Insc: 'Holyrood Palace'
Postmarked: (19)08.
Missing at time of upgrade, 14.2.2000

Photographs
View of Palace from Nelson Monument
Calton Hill 1850-1860 Anon
Size: 11 x 14 3/4"
Cutting from Christies Catalogue
19th and 20th Century Photographs
London Thursday 31 October, 1991 at 11am
Lot 90 Anon
Missing at time of upgrade, 14.2.2000

Holyrood House Palace.
NMRS REFERENCE:
Printroom/RIAS Nelson Collection.
Lithograph of Queen Mary's bedroom, Holyrood Palace.
Insc: 'Queen Mary's bedroom, Holyrood Palace'.
u.s
u.d
370x554
Acc No: 1993/89
Unable to locate at time of upgrade 15.2.2000.

Notes and Activities

1997 to January 2010

PROJECT

Notes The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (http://www.pmsa.org.uk/) set up a National Recording Project in 1997 with the aim of making a survey of public monuments and sculpture in Britain ranging from medieval monuments to the most contemporary works. Information from the Edinburgh project was added to the RCAHMS database in October 2010.
The PMSA (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association) Edinburgh Sculpture Project has been supported by Eastern Photocolour, Edinburgh College of Art, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Scotland, the Hope Scott Trust, The Old Edinburgh Club, the Pilgrim Trust, the RCAHMS, and the Scottish Archive Network.

Further details

17 January 1998

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 1998 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

Further details

2 March 1998

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 1998 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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12 March 1998

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 1998 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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12 January 1999

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 1999 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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28 April 1999

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 1999 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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12 August 1999

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 1999 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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1 December 1999

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 1999 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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3 April 2000

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2000 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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21 July 2000

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2000 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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21 November 2000

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2000 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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2 May 2001

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2001 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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26 November 2001

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2001 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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5 February 2002

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2002 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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27 March 2002

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2002 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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31 October 2002

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2002 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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9 February 2003

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2003 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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12 March 2003

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2002 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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14 May 2003

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2003 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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9 June 2003

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2003 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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14 July 2003

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2003 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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18 August 2003

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2003 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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3 September 2003

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2003 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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13 November 2003

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2003 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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12 May 2004

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2004 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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7 June 2004

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2004 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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21 July 2004

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2004 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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20 August 2004

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2004 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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5 April 2005

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2005 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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1 August 2005

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2005 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

Further details

2006	EXCAVATION

Notes Large areas of the garden to the E, S and N of the present palace block were examined via geophysical survey in August 2006. In light of these findings and historic map evidence, a total of 7 small trenches were excavated over 4 days.
Trench 1: This cutting opened a slot across a low earth mound in the East Garden. The mound was a garden feature constructed over two periods, the earlier ascribed to the mid 16th century. The mound was built over the levelled remains of the N side of a building within the monastic East Range (late 12th century).
Trenches 2/3: These two trenches were laid together and cut across the line of the monastic East Range and the possible South Range. Evidence of the conversion of a monastic plan into parterre garden over two periods was found as well as the recycling of the S range as part of the undercroft of a hall and later part of a parterre design.
Trench 4: This trench revealed a large stone-lined drain and associated building of post-1675 garden layout. It overlay infilled monastic features.
Trench 5: This indentified the conjunction of the South Tower of James IV and the Chancellor’s Lodging of James V. Evidence was found of the destruction of the latter, possibly in the riots of 1688.
Trench 6: This trench cut across the E wall of the South Tower of James IV.
Trench 7: This trench was excavated over the site of the tennis court, lying towards the S side of Abbey Mount, immediately N of Abbey Strand. No evidence of the tennis court was found, only the sub-ground floor features from 19th-century tenements.
In addition a full 3D survey was completed on the outside elevations of Queen Mary’s Bathhouse and the main structural phases were defined, showing its conversion from a defensive, mural tower associated with the royal formal gardens to the N and W of the palace of the late 16th-century date.
Archive to be deposited in NMRS.
Sponsor: Wildfire Television
Kirkdale Archaeology 2006


Further details

February 2006 to March 2006

WATCHING BRIEF

Notes NT 269 7381
In advance of the installation of new service tracks two trenches were excavated in the S garden area of the palace in February-March 2006. One trench (measuring 5 x 1m) lay immediately E of the present path, 33m S of the S wall of the palace block. The second trench (5 x 1m) lay 40m N of the South Gate. Both the trenches showed evidence of a sequence of up to three separate garden phases - each laid above the other and up to 1m deep in the S trench. The earliest garden featured clear planting holes and beds, possibly of 16th-century date, associated with the palace of James IV and V.
G Ewart and A Radley 2006

Further details

4 April 2006

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2006 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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3 August 2006

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2006 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

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20 February 2007

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Project 2007 RCAHMS Aerial Survey

Further details

6 January 2009 to 20 February 2009

WATCHING BRIEF

Notes NT 268 739 A watching brief was maintained, 6 January–20 February 2009, during excavations in advance of a new gas mains upgrade along a route running from the NW gate to the present boiler house. Most of the route followed the line of existing pipelines and involved no new ground-breaking. The cutting consisted of two sections. At its N end it ran for c20m E–W before turning S for a distance of c130m to meet the existing boiler house. The majority of the route exposed redeposited backfill in existing cuts, the only exceptions were at each end.
Immediately within the NW Gate, where the pipe entered the Palace grounds, the excavation exposed parts of the footings of the existing garden wall and evidence of a 19th-century hothouse which adjoined it. At the S end of the route, an area measuring 3 x 4m was excavated and was found to contain mortar and light rubble probably associated with the 17th-century N wing of the James V Tower. This was erected in 1676 as an extension to the planned Queen’s apartments, replacing an earlier gallery and was occupied by the Duke of Hamilton, as Keeper of the palace. It was demolished early in the 19th century.
Funder: Historic Scotland
Gordon Ewart – Kirkdale Archaeology

Further details

19 February 2009

WATCHING BRIEF

Notes NT 268 739 (centred on) Six small holes were excavated for tree planting in the gardens of the Palace on 19 February 2009. There were no finds or features of great archaeological significance, although in three trenches there were traces of structural remains in the form of mortar and stone.
Archive: RCAHMS (intended)
Funder: Historic Scotland
Alan Radley – Kirkdale Archaeology

Further details

November 2009 to February 2010

WATCHING BRIEF

Notes NT 268 739 (centred on) In November 2009 a trench was excavated to the S of the SE corner of the palace. The excavation was halted when substantial in situ structural remains were discovered 150mm below the present ground surface. The remains may relate to 18th- and 19th-century buildings lying close to the S face of the palace. These buildings, associated with the Duke of Hamilton gardens, consisted of a combination of enclosures and roofed buildings.
A watching brief was maintained in December 2009 during an excavation of the N end of the ha-ha. The work disturbed little other than topsoil and material that may have been associated with a Victorian boundary wall. A deposit that may have been part of an earlier version of the ha-ha was seen but not excavated.
A watching brief was carried out in February 2010 during the excavation of 17 small holes in advance of tree planting in the gardens of the palace. Traces of a path that may have run alongside an earlier version of the E boundary wall were recorded in two of the holes. Traces of an earlier soil horizon were recorded in the majority of the holes at 0.3–0.4m below the current ground surface. Other features recorded included the remains of a structure formed with stone and clay, perhaps a drain, and a stone and mortar surface of
indeterminate date.
Archive: RCAHMS (intended)
Funder: Historic Scotland
Alan Radley – Kirkdale Archaeology

Further details

27 April 2010 to 28 April 2010

WATCHING BRIEF

Notes NT 2692 7385 A watching brief was maintained 27–28 April 2010 during the removal of an area of pampas grass in the gardens of the palace. The excavation revealed an E–W aligned wall line, which was at least 0.95m wide and up to 1.05m wide at its W end. This substantial wall, bonded with lime mortar, probably represented part of the expanded 17thcentury palace, with its N face lying 13.3m S of the S wall of the extant palace buildings.
Archive: RCAHMS (intended)
Funder: Historic Scotland
David Murray – Kirkdale Archaeology

Further details

Books and References

Adam, Newton and Taylor, W, J and J ([n.d.]) Plates from Vitruvius Scoticus and drawings by James Newton - J Taylor, [s.l.]
Held at RCAHMS D.6.L

Adam, W (1980) Vitruvius Scoticus, Edinburgh
Held at RCAHMS D.6.L

Anon (1838) Guide pittoresque du voyageur en Ecosse: orne de 120 vues, representant les principaux edifices, les curiosites naturelles, les chateaux reamrquables, et tous les lieux cites par Walter Scott..., In French Paris
Page(s): p.87 -engraving Held at RCAHMS D.20.GUI.R

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