Project launches to conserve Glorious Gardens

Workshops planned to develop conservation plans

A project seeking to conserve the unique designed landscapes of the Clyde and Avon Valley launched last Wednesday 18 October, in the grandest designed landscape of all, at Chatelherault Country Park.

The Glorious Gardens 2 project follows a pilot phase 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 Mauldslie and Cambusnethan, to lesser-known sites such as Dalserf and Harperfield, in the Clyde and Avon Valley. Watch the video below to find out more.

 

Through a series of three workshops taking place between now and January, the Glorious Gardens team will develop a Conservation Strategy and practical Landscape Conservation Guidance Notes for landowners of designed landscapes in collaboration with local stakeholders, who were among those invited to the launch last Wednesday. The Strategy and Guidance Notes will outline good practice in the management of designed landscapes, the tasks involved, and information regarding possible sources of grant funding.

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

Stakeholders with an interest in the designed landscapes, including landowners, Glorious Gardens volunteers, heritage groups, and people involved in land-based industries such as farming and forestry are being invited to the workshops, as listed below. People wishing to attend must book a place by contacting Jacqueline Macleod on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 07447 357 257.

Each workshop takes place in Lanark Lifestyles, 2:30 – 4:30pm. A full list of these workshops and further details can be found at here, or by clicking the items below this article. 

Monday 23 October, Workshop 1: An introduction to the project and its purpose, including the needs and challenges for the conservation of historic landscapes, and the needs and aspirations of landowners

Monday 27 November, Workshop 2: Presentation of the first draft of the Conservation Strategy and Landscape Conservation Guidance Notes, with discussion and feedback

Monday 22 January, Workshop 3: Presentation of the second draft of the Conservation Strategy and Landscape Conservation Guidance Notes

In the pilot phase of the project a total of 18 volunteers contributed a staggering 706 hours to the research and reporting of 12 designed landscapes which are a defining feature in the Clyde and Avon Valley. The reports were added to the Historic Environment Scotland Inventory of Designed Landscapes, and can be accessed on the items below this article, or by visiting the Clyde and Avon Valley virtual Museum on this website, clicking ‘History & Archaeology’, and then selecting the Glorious Gardens items. They are; Baronald House, Lanark; Cambusnethan, Wishaw; Carfin Estate, Crossford; Cleghorn Estate, Lanark; Dalserf House, Dalserf; Harperfield House, Lanark; Jerviswood Estate, Lanark; The Kerse, Clyde Valley; Mauldslie Castle, Clyde Valley; Milton Lockhart, Clyde Valley; and, Stonebyres, Crossford.

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 thus far by our teams of volunteers. We would like this pilot to serve as the basis of a package to be made available to other areas throughout Scotland featuring non-inventory designed landscapes.”

Ewan Bachell, CAVLP Development Officer, says, “We are delighted to be supporting the continuation of this project, which will build on the extensive research undertaken by volunteers into the designed landscapes of the Clyde and Avon Valley - a defining feature of the area.”

He continues, “Conserving these historic sites and features will help us to preserve a significant aspect of the area’s past, and to share the story of the landscape with future generations.”

If you are a landowner of a designed landscape in the Clyde and Avon Valley and would like to find out more about the project, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 07447 357 257.