Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Dated 1710 (carved in stone at entrance). Rectangular-plan enclosure on N-S sloping ground falling to SE of Brodick Castle, laid out as an ornamental garden with three terraced levels. Stone steps in single flights traversing grassed embankments between levels. Sundial in centre of lower terrace. Boundary walls of red sandstone rubble. Bee boles (niches) in W wall, some blocked up. Vertically boarded timber door in NE corner. Vertically boarded door in aperture in centre of S wall with granite flagstone inscribed 'BRODICK CASTLE' at threshold. W wall has decorative gates at entrance from lower castle terrace. Spur wall attached to outside of N wall with Commemorative Gates.

SUNDIAL: composite piece comprising elements dating from 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Stepped circular stone plinth, carved foliated stone baluster, circular brass dial.

GARDEN GATES (WEST): circa 1840s. Wrought iron gates, with arched top, scroll pattern to lower bout and slender balusters.

COMMEMORATIVE GATES: 1931. Wrought iron gates with scrolled pattern, applied floral and foliate decoration, and basket finial at apex. Squared gatepiers of pink sandstone rubble with flat copes. Brass plaque on S pier.

Statement of Special Interest

Part of A Group at Brodick Castle Estate comprising: Brodick Castle, Bavarian Summerhouse, Cnocan Burn Road Bridge, Greenhyde and Castle Cottages, Ice House, Walled Garden, the Nursery, Main Gates, West Gates and Coastal Boundary Walls, South Gates, Sylvania and Brodick Kennels.

A rare and early example of a Scottish walled garden sited unusually close to the main house. It retains its original wall intact while having being redesigned in the mid-19th C.

The Walled Garden was built for Duchess Anne of Montrose in 1710 as a kitchen garden and later served as a tree nursery. Laid out as a pleasure garden in the mid-19th century at the same time as the earlier 19th century extension to the castle was built. As such it lacked a heating system, as was to become more common later in the century. The enclosure's survival and conversion to ornamental use is rare, as such utilitarian structures tended to be completely removed from the vicinity of country houses by the 19th century. The flights of steps are of the same pattern as those traversing the terraces to the S of the castle, which were part of the rebuilding by James Gillespie Graham in the 1840s. The W gate probably also dates from the 1840s.

A photograph of circa 1900 shows a pavilion on the site now occupied by the sundial. The sundial is a composite piece consisting of an 18th century baluster, with a specially made plinth and 19th or 20th century brass dial. It was purchased in 1908, at the time the new rose garden was sunk. In 1982 the garden was reconstructed using 1920s photographs as a guide. At this time a new garden shelter, based on an old design was erected on the E side. Octagonal in plan and open on 3 sides, it is of timber construction with a thatched roof.

The Commemorative Gate, to the N of the Walled Garden, provides access to the upper castle terrace from the E. A brass plaque on the S pier commemorates its presentation by the tenantry on the silver wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Montrose, 14 June 1931.

Brodick Castle Estate, now a discreet entity, was originally the nucleus of the Lands of Arran. Fought over during the Scottish War of Independence, it was transformed into an Earldom and granted to James Hamilton by his cousin, King James IV, in 1503. The Isle of Arran remained as one of the minor estates of the Dukes of Hamilton until the late 19th century. Agricultural improvements in the 18th century, culminating in the clearances of the early 19th century, eventually displaced the small scale and subsistence farming on the island. In the mid-19th, improved transportation made Brodick an attractive picturesque resort and hunting destination for the Hamiltons and the castle was substantially rebuilt with the area around it laid out as gardens and pleasure grounds. On the death of the 12th Duke, in 1895, Brodick passed to the future Duchess of Montrose. In 1957 the Castle and the policies immediately surrounding were conveyed to the National Trust for Scotland.

List description revised as part of the National Trust for Scotland Estates Review, 2010-11.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.