Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Layout later 18th century with late 19th and early 20th century additions and alterations. Extensive parterre and terraces on steeply sloping ground overlooking the Clyde Valley. Rubble retaining walls with sandstone cope, some with brick buttresses between terraces; brick retaining wall below middle terrace path. Arts & Crafts style dry stone low walling around plant beds to top and middle terraces. Flights of steps from different periods including steps with stone slab 'stringer-type' edging dating from late 19th century or later.

Statement of Special Interest

The terraces are an important and rare early survival and occupy of very prominent position overlooking the Clyde Valley. They are also significant as an element of Castlebank estate which is one of the main components of the Falls of Clyde designated Designed Landscape and contributes to the outstanding scenic qualities of this part of the Clyde valley. The paths and terraces were probably begun in the 18th century at the same time as what is now the core of the house was built (circa 1760) and the layout of the paths were almost certainly established before or at that time. William Forrest's map, published in 1816 (the survey was made about 1813), indicates the terraces were in place by that date.

It is probable that it was initially a pleasure garden, a place where visitors to Castlebank could admire the prospect (compare the viewing point over New Lanark and the Clyde Valley from Braxfield gardens which is on an axis with the walk through the walled garden there and captured in John Winning's watercolour of 1818). At the same time it was very likely used for fruit growing, part of the Clyde Valley fruit growing tradition. The combination of pleasure garden and productive walled garden can also be compared to Braxfield and a similar terraced garden with fruit trees existed at Orchard House, near Carluke. In the later 19th century the upper part of the garden at Castlebank was developed further as the kitchen garden and a formal rose garden was added in the early 20th century.

The layout of the garden may have been the responsibility of Mr John Bannatyne, provost of Lanark and commissary of the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire who acquired the estate in 1760. By 1858 it had passed to John Neil Dyce, Sheriff Substitute for the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, who greatly improved the grounds, gardens and house, constructing a conservatory in the formal gardens. The Houldsworth family, owners of the Coltness Ironworks acquired the property in 1883. The Houldsworths were responsible for a number of the additions and alterations in the gardens. In 1950, following the death of the last Mrs Houldsworth, the estate was acquired by a development company, and in 1951 by the Burgh Council. The estate was shortly afterwards opened as a public park.

List description updated 2010.

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.