Designing the Landscape: Chatelherault

Part of the Mapping the Past trail

The Clyde and Avon Valley’s distinctive appearance is a significant part of why we value them. Woodlands, orchards, hedgerows, historic houses and their designed landscapes form patterns along the course of these two rivers, contributing to this unique and beautiful landscape which has been adapted by people for hundreds of years.  

The Clyde and Avon Valley contains at least 41 designed gardens and landscapes. A designed landscape is an area that was consciously laid out for artistic effect; the remains of which can be seen in the gardens and wider estates of the great houses built in the area from the 18th century.

One of the most important designed landscapes in the Clyde and Avon Valley is Chatelherault, and the High and Low Parks of Hamilton. Much of this once grand estate was lost through urban devlopment and quarrying, but William Roy recorded the estate at its height, as part of his Military Survey of Scotland.

The extent of the grand avenue can be best seen from the front of Chatelherault where rows of trees have been replanted to create an impression of what the landscape would have looked like in the past. 

Looking at Roy’s map we can see how Chatelherault and Hamilton would have looked in the middle of the 18th century, offering us a historical snap shot of one of Scotland’s most significant landscapes. Note the straight avenue of trees between Chatelherault on the left, and Hamilton Palace (marked in red ink) on the right.

This listing was created as part of the Mapping the Past project, managed by Northlight Heritage and delivered by CAVLP Heritage. Explore the site as part of the Mapping the Past trail (see right).