Guidance published for landowners of designed landscapes

Conservation Strategy and Guidance Notes

Designed landscapes are a defining feature throughout the Clyde and Avon Valley, with 42 spanning the length of the area, from Chatelherault Country Park in the North, to Bonnington at New Lanark in the South.

To help landowners, communities and other stakeholders protect these designed landscapes into the future, a Conservation Strategy and Guidance Notes have been published. View them at the bottom of this article and in the Clyde and Avon Valley Virtual Museum.

The Strategy and Guidance Notes outline the key issues facing conservation projects in designed landscapes, provide good practice and more information on the tasks involved, and how to enable projects. 

They were prepared through a series of three stakeholder workshops held in Lanark between October 2017 and January 2018. The stakeholders helped the team prioritise elements of the landscape that are most important to the character of the valley, such as 'peep' views, parkland trees and walled gardens.

By asking what will be most missed if it is lost? participants were able to discuss and identify what it is about the valley that is unique. Watch the project launch video below.

The project was managed by Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage (SGLH), and led by MVGLA Landscape Architects working with MBLA and Talamh. It was supported by Historic Environment Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund and LEADER supported Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP).

The formation of the Conservation Strategy and Guidance Notes followed the Glorious Gardens pilot project, which included research and reporting by volunteers on designed landscapes in the Clyde and Avon Valley and Falkirk areas. These varied from well-known sites such as Cleghorn and Cambusnethan, to lesser-known sites such as Dalserf and Harperfield, in the Clyde and Avon Valley.

A total of 12 designed landscapes in the Clyde and Avon Valley were researched by a team of dedicated volunteers. The reports are available at the links below this article, on the CANMORE website here, or can be accessed by visiting the 'Museum' tab on the menu at the top of this page, clicking ‘History & Archaeology’, and then selecting the Glorious Gardens items. Copies are also available in East Kilbride, Hamilton, Lanark and Rutherglen libraries.

Sue Hewer, project supervisor SGLH, says, “We attach much importance to the successful conclusion of this pilot project and are very proud of what has been achieved by our teams of volunteers. We would like this pilot to be a package available to other areas throughout Scotland featuring non-inventory designed landscapes.”

Ewan Bachell, CAVLP Development Officer, says, “We have been delighted with the outcome of this fascinating project, which has built on the research undertaken by volunteers, and engaged directly with landowners and stakeholders. We hope that this strategy and guidance will be a useful resource for the conservation of designed landscapes in the Clyde and Avon Valley and beyond."

View the Strategy and Guidance Notes below or by clicking here. Follow the Glorious Gardens project on Twitter. Like the Glorious Gardens project on Facebook.