SGLH campaigns to protect heritage gardens and designed landscapes, and trains volunteers to record them

In Scotland, nationally important sites are listed and described in An Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. It is compiled and maintained by HES. However, there are hundreds of other gardens and sites, not on the Inventory, which are of regional or local significance.

Policy

We respond to Scottish government consultations such as the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (HEPS) and Our Place in Time: the Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland. We have forged links with local authorities to ensure appropriate policies are included in Local Development Plans.

Planning consultations

When sites on the Inventory are affected by planning proposals, HES must be consulted. SGLH offers independent advice on Inventory and non-Inventory sites when requested, and we have established a good working relationship with planning authorities.

Recording Regional and Local Gardens and Designed Landscapes

We raise funds and execute Recording Projects which bring together local people, community groups and local authorities. We train volunteers to survey and record non-Inventory gardens, parks and designed landscapes where such information is lacking.

An Introduction to Glorious Gardens

Glorious Gardens is a pilot project to research and record historic gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. The project focusses on properties which are not listed in the Historic Scotland Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, but which still retain evidence for their development and have some conservation value.

We were awarded major grant funding by HES and HLF for a pilot project (“Glorious Gardens”) to record historic gardens and designed landscapes in Falkirk and the Clyde and Avon Valley. You can read more about this and other projects with local volunteers on our Recording Projects page.

In its first phase, the project covered gardens and designed landscapes in the Clyde and Avon Valley and Falkirk. The second phase was devoted to the development of a conservation strategy and landowner guidance notes for both areas. Funding was provided by Historic Environment Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Both phases relied heavily on the hard work of local volunteers under the supervision of the SGLH team.

SGLH is currently preparing a third phase of the project, consisting of the preparation of a digital learning pack to facilitate the training of volunteers to research, survey and record sites, and to promote the development of a strategy to conserve historic landscapes and a conservation guide for landowners. Testing of the digital pack will be carried out on sites in the East Lothian area. The launch date for this three-year project, for which we will again be recruiting volunteers, is November 2021.

Airth Castle

Falkirk
Report by Fiona Gordon & Marion Shawcross on the Development of the Gardens and Designed Landscape.
(3.92MB)

SGLH campaigns to protect heritage gardens and designed landscapes, and trains volunteers to record them

Policy

Planning consultations

Recording Regional and Local Gardens and Designed Landscapes

An Introduction to Glorious Gardens

Airth Castle

Auchtyfardle

Balquhatstone House, Slamannan

Baronald

Bothwell St. Brides Collegiate Church Graveyard

Cambusnethan House

Carfin & Crossford Park

Carron House

Carronvale House

Carriden House

Cleghorn

Dalserf House

Arnotdale House / Dollar Park

Falkirk Cemetery

Glenbervie

Harperfield

Jerviswood

Kerse House

Larbert House

Mauldslie

Milton Lockhart

Muiravonside

Powfoulis Estate

South Bantaskine

Stonebyres

Waygateshaw House

Westquarter

Zetland Park