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Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
1
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area
Midlothian Strategic Services
Fairfield House 8 Lothian Road
Dalkeith EH22 3ZN
Tel: 0131 271 3473 Fax: 0131 271 3239
www.midlothian.gov.uk www.midlothian.gov.uk
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
2
Borthwick and Crichton
CONTENTS
1 Preface Page 3
2 Planning Context Page 4
3 Location and Population Page 5
4 Date of Designation Page 5
5 Archaeology and History Page 5
6 Character Analysis
Setting and Views Page 6
Urban Structure Page 7
Architectural Character Page 7
Key Buildings Page 7
Landscape Character Page 10
Issues Page 11
Enhancement Opportunities Page 11
7 General Issues Page 11
8 Character Analysis Map Page 12
10 Listed Buildings Page 13
11 Conservation Area Boundary Page 14
12 Conservation Area Boundary Map Page 15
13 Article 4 Direction Order Page 16
14 Building Conservation Principles Page 18
15 Glossary Page 20
16 References Page 23
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
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PREFACE
Conservation Areas
1 It is widely accepted that the historic
environment is important and that a
high priority should be given to its
conservation and sensitive
management. This includes buildings
and townscapes of historic or
architectural interest, open spaces,
historic gardens and designed
landscapes, archaeological sites, and
ancient monuments. These contribute
to the distinctive character of the
urban and rural environment, are a
valuable part of our heritage and have
an important role to play in education,
recreation and the wider economy.
2 The Planning (Listed Buildings and
Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act
1997 requires that local authorities
determine if there are “areas of
special architectural or historic
interest, the character of which it is
desirable to preserve or enhance”, and
if so, to designate these as
conservation areas.
Character Appraisals
3 A Character Appraisal is an effective
tool in defining the character and
appearance of conservation areas and
their special interest. The appraisal
sets out the main characteristics of the
area, identifies where enhancement is
required and where stronger controls
over certain types of development are
necessary. The appraisal forms
Supplementary Planning Guidance
and will be a material consideration in
the determination of development
proposals.
4 Once a conservation area has been
designated it becomes the duty of
Midlothian Council to pay special
attention to the character and
appearance of the area when
exercising its powers under planning
legislation. Conservation area status
means that the character and
appearance of the conservation area
will be afforded additional protection
through development plan policies
and other planning guidance that
seeks to preserve and enhance the
area whilst managing change. This
does not mean that development will
be prohibited but that proposals
should be of an appropriate character,
scale and appearance to the area.
Additional Powers
5 The additional powers automatically
conferred by designation of the
conservation area extend only to the
demolition of unlisted buildings and
to the protection of trees. Minor
developments, such as small
alterations to unlisted buildings, still
do not require consent. The
cumulative effect of such changes can
greatly erode the character and
appearance of the conservation area.
Midlothian Council therefore intends
to make a Direction under Article 4 of
the Town and Country Planning
(General Permitted Development)
(Scotland) Order 1992 which will
bring these small alterations under
planning control. This control is set
out in greater detail in Section 10.
Before carrying out any tree work
within the conservation area prior
written notice must be given to
Midlothian Council detailing the nature
and extent of the proposed work and
identifying the trees. Failure to notify
the Council is an offence under the
1997 Town and Country Planning
Act.
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
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PLANNING CONTEXT
6
The character appraisal is important to the
formulation and information of
planning policy and proposals for the
conservation, protection and positive
management of the natural and built
heritage. Management is achieved
through non-statutory and statutory
planning policy, enhancement
schemes and Article 4 Direction
Orders.
National Guidance
7 National Planning Policy Guideline
18: Planning and the Historic
Environment requires conservation
area character appraisals to be
prepared when local authorities are
reconsidering existing conservation
area designations, promoting further
designations or formulating
enhancement schemes. Article 4
Direction Orders will not be
confirmed by the Scottish Ministers
unless a character appraisal is in place
(NPPG18, 1999, para 40).
8 Planning Advice Note PAN 71:
Conservation Area Management
complements existing national policy
and provides further advice on the
management of conservation areas.
Statutory Policies
9 The Edinburgh and the Lothians
Structure Plan 2015 (ELSP) provides the strategic context for
development until 2015 and contains
a policy (ENV1D) that seeks to
protect and enhance the character of
conservation areas. Policy ENV1D
states development affecting
conservation areas or their setting will
only be permitted where it can be
demonstrated that the objectives and
overall integrity of the designated
area will not be compromised, or the
social or economic benefits to be
gained from the proposed
development outweigh the
conservation or other interest of the
site.
10 The Adopted Midlothian Local
Plan (2003) seeks to guide
development while protecting the
environment. The Plan seeks to
protect the character and appearance
of the natural and built heritage. The
Plan envisages no further
development other than the new
development of brownfield / infill
land and / or conversion of buildings
within the Conservation Area (RP20).
The Plan allows for sensitive
alteration and/or extension of existing
properties in the conservation area.
Outwith the built up area, the
remaining part of the conservation
area is covered by the Protection of
the Countryside policy (RP1), the
Protection of the Greenbelt policy
(RP2) which limits development,
Areas of Great Landscape Value
policy (policy RP6) and Nationally
Important Gardens and Designed
Landscapes policy (policy RP22).
Other policies apply.
11 Areas of Great Landscape Value
(AGLV) may be designated under
S.D.D. Circular 2/1962. The
Borthwick and Crichton Conservation
Area lies within a designated area.
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
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LOCATION AND POPULATION
12 The Borthwick and Crichton
conservation area lies some four and a
half miles to the south east of
Dalkeith. The population of the
Conservation Area is approximately
160 persons.
DATE OF DESIGNATION
13 The Borthwick and Crichton
conservation area was originally
designated by Midlothian District
Council in December 1990 and re-
designated by Midlothian District
Council on 28 March 1996.
ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY
Ancient Monuments
14 The following Scheduled Ancient
Monuments are situated within the
Borthwick and Crichton Conservation
Area.
Loquhariot Fort: the remains of a
later prehistoric fort represented
by cropmarks.
Crichton Castle: once one of
Scotland's finest Renaissance
houses.
Playhill settlement: the remains
of an enclosed settlement of later
prehistoric date surviving as a
series of earthworks.
History
15 The Borthwick and Crichton
Conservation Area contains two of
the most significant Scottish castles.
In 1430 Sir William Borthwick was
granted a Royal Charter to build
Borthwick castle on the motte of
Loquhariot. The walls of Borthwick
allegedly were partly damaged by
Cromwell's cannon when he placed
the castle under siege. Cromwell
addressed the 8th Lord Borthwick
thus:
Sir, I thought fit to send this
trumpet to you to let you know, that if
you please to walk away with
your company, and deliver the house
to such as I shall send to receive it,
you shall have liberty to
carry off your arms and goods, and
such other necessaries as you
have. You harboured such parties in
your house as have basely and
inhumanely murdered our
men; if you necessitate me to bend my
canon against you, you must
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
6
expect what I doubt you will not be
pleased with. I expect your present
answer and rest your
servant. O Cromwell, 18 Nov. 1650.
Lord Borthwick delivered the house.
16 Following the murder of Lord
Darnley by Lord Bothwell he and
Mary Queen of Scots fled from
Holyrood House to Borthwick in
1567. Here they narrowly avoided
capture by the Confederate Lords.
17 The castle underwent restoration
between 1890 and 1914 and was a
secret repository for national treasures
during the second World War. The
castle became a hotel in 1973 and
remains this today.
18 In 1862 David Kidd, inventor of the
gummed paper envelope, provided
£3,000 for a the construction of a new
church at Borthwick in memory of his
parents. Kidd was the proprietor of
Inveresk Paper Mills and his father
had been overseer at Arniston. The
church was built as a memorial to his
parents.
19 The estates of Crichton were
assembled by Sir William Crichton.
He was James I's chancellor and
Master of the Royal Household.
However the third Lord Crichton
plotted against the king and suffered
the loss of his estates in 1484. Lord
Bothwell the husband of Mary Queen
of Scots lived in Crichton Castle. In
1581 Francis Stewart inherited the
tile. Following his return from Europe
he "Italianised" a courtyard elevation.
He too attacked the King and, after
defeat, fled to Naples where he died
in poverty.
20 Around 1449 Sir William Crichton
adapted the earlier parish church to a
collegiate church where priests
prayed for his soul on a regular basis.
In 1641 it again became the parish
church and was further restored in
1898. Around the Millennium the
church was placed in good order by
the Crichton Collegiate Church Trust
and remains used on an occasional
basis.
21 Mountskip (originally Mount Skip)
farm just within the north western
boundary of the Conservation Area
was originally part of the Vogrie
estate. At the beginning of the
century the writer Annie S. Swan, a
Scottish writer (author of
"Aldersyde", 1883 and "The
Forerunners", 1930), lived in
Mountskip and was inspired by the
views of Midlothian which it
commanded.
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Setting and Views
22 Borthwick and Crichton Conservation
Area includes the rural setting of
Borthwick castle, church and the
surrounding buildings of the hamlet,
Crichton castle, church and the
hamlet of Crichton. These lie within
the exceptional historic landscape of
the valleys of the Gore water and the
river Tyne. The valleys possess a
strong visual enclosure where they are
dominated by the two castles. That
there is little other than some
agricultural and a small amount of
domestic development within this
wide area allows for dramatic settings
with long views to both castles.
The wide area and small amount of domestic
development allows for dramatic settings with
long view to both castles (Borthwick Castle
from the NW)
23 Few roads traverse the area but there
is an especially important and wide
view along the valley to Borthwick
castle and beyond from the lay-by on
the A7. The view to the east from the
slope above Borthwick adjacent to the
Middleton road shows the grouping of
the castle, church and other buildings
to their best advantage.
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
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Grouping of buildings around Borthwick Castle
viewed from the East
There is a striking view from the
unclassified road from Gorebridge
past Wright's Houses to the south
which shows the castle dramatically
against its treed backdrop. An
especially dramatic view is obtained
from the Colegate road across the
valley to Crichton castle on the
opposite slope.
View of Crichton Castle from the North
Numerous other views both short and
long abound within the area these
frequently focussed on either castle.
On the higher ground outwith the
valleys there are excellent views north
west to the Pentland Hills, north to
Fife and south to the Moorfoot Hills.
View to the North-West towards the Pentland
Hills
Urban Structure
24 The conservation area comprises the
valleys of the Gore water and the
river Tyne which in this part have
substantial areas of unimproved
pasture and remain largely
undeveloped with only occasional
farm and other buildings. At either
end the Conservation Area is
dominated by a castle, Borthwick at
the south and Crichton in the north.
At Borthwick the castle, church,
manse, and former schoolhouse and
school form a cohesive group.
Borthwick church yard is laid out on a
series of terraces above the Gore
water that provide a fine setting for
the building the spire providing a foil
to the bulk of the castle. There are a
few outlying houses including Currie
Houes and Currie Mains. Apart from
the adjacent former manse (now The
Byways) Crichton church stands on its
own some distance from Crichton
castle and to the north east again lies
the hamlet of Crichton. The valleys
are separated by the former Waverley
railway line which at the time of
writing it is intended should be re-
opened.
Architectural Character
25 The great tower castle at Borthwick
stands close by the church and former
manse which a with the school and
schoolhouse form a significant group.
Crichton castle, with its attendant
stable block, stands majestically
isolated on the slope above the Tyne.
The hamlet of Crichton lies just to
the east. Both castles dominate their
rural settings, Borthwick on the
wooded knoll above the Gore water
and Crichton on the open bank of the
river Tyne. There is little other
development within the area.
Borthwick castle c. 1430 is an
enormous medieval building rising
sheer to 110 feet in a massive U-plan
block.
26 Crichton castle dates from the late
14th century. Although now isolated
it lay on what was once the main road
to the south. Here the original tower
was greatly extended to form a fine
Renaissance palace. What is likely to
have been a stable lies immediately to
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
8
the south. To the north of the castle is
Crichton church dating from 1449 a
cruciform church with a squat square
tower. To the north east again is the
hamlet of Crichton, originally a
farming settlement. The Arts and
Crafts Crichton Mains supplies the
rather off centre focus to the hamlet.
Crichton Mains
The architect here was Robert
Rowand Anderson who may well also
have designed the stone built cottages
which line the road.
27 Building Types and Use This is a
sparsely populated area comprising
the two castles, the two churches and
their former manses, a school
building and several isolated farm
houses. Scale The two castles are
massive in scale. Borthwick is six
storeys high and Crichton a similarly
massive but square block set around a
courtyard.
Borthwick Castle
Crichton Castle
Both churches are substantial and
well sited buildings as is the former
Borthwick primary school. The
domestic buildings, farm houses and
others are two storey houses or single
storey cottages.
Former Borthwick Primary School
Composition At Borthwick the
buildings are grouped informally to
one side of the castle or below it and
well set within the undulating
landscape of the valley side. Crichton
castle stands alone above the Tyne.
Crichton hamlet is almost entirely
made up of the long, straight row of
Crichton Cottages. Walls are most
often of local sandstone, squared and
coursed rubble at Crichton castle,
dressed ashlar on Borthwick castle
with the careful grading of stones
from the base, random rubble at
Crichton cottages and harled at Currie
House, squared and snecked tooled
sandstone with droved dressings at
Borthwick church, manse and former
schoolhouse. Doors are almost
always of timber and close boarded
but sometimes panelled. Windows
Some notable stained glass for the
churches. Elsewhere of a vertical
proportion eight or twelve paned with
astragals, occasionally casements,
and well related to the architecture of
the building with the exception of
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
9
Borthwick school where
unsympathetic new fenestration has
been installed.
Stained glass windows on Borthwick church
Roofs are slated with the occasional
pantiled roof, frequently gabled, the
usual variety of forms on the
Victorian buildings.
Pantiled Roof at Borthwick Farm
Gabled end bays at Crichton cottages
with Tudor detailing. The roofscape is
an important element as there are
many long views in which entire
buildings may be appreciated within
their setting or from above.
Chimneys are of stone invariably on
the gables with dominant polished
ashlar gablehead stacks at Borthwick
manse. Rainwater goods in cast iron
are still retained by a large number of
properties, the gutters usually being
half round. Details. There is fine
detailing and carving on both castles,
both churches and on some of the
domestic buildings. Naively carved
faces at the cornice of the choir at
Crichton church, barley sugar
chimney pots at Borthwick manse.
Face carving on Crichton Church
There are machicolated parapets at
Borthwick and Crichton castles.
Decorative iron gates at Borthwick
church with thistle finials and at
Crichton. Floorscape Unbound
surfaces throughout the Conservation
Area relate well to the rural setting.
Narrow, winding country roads
contribute to the character. Boundary
walls are a feature at Borthwick
terracing the slopes and especially so
within the churchyard. High stone
walls enclose the churches and old
manses at Borthwick and Crichton.
Currie House walled garden has a
significant high wall. There are many
important spaces but particularly
the setting and winding lanes and
walls around Borthwick castle and the
wider, open setting of Crichton castle
and church.
Key Buildings
Borthwick castle c. 1430. Built by Sir William Borthwick, massive U-plan castle
rising some six storeys with large machicolations.
Borthwick church 1862-4. Brown and Wardrop. The 12th century church was burnt
out in 1775. Tall broach spire a dominant landmark.
Former schoolhouse Victorian former schoolhouse encloses the space at the entrance to
the churchyard.
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
10
Borthwick school 19th century former school. Windows sadly replaced but remains a
key building.
Crichton castle Late 14th century, the original tower vastly extended. At one time
one of Scotland's finest Renaissance houses. Now in the
guardianship of the Scottish Ministers.
Crichton castle Large 16th century stable block with crowstepped gables and
entered by a horseshoe arch.
Crichton church From 1449. Cruciform church with square tower with naive
carving. Prominently set on the sloping ground above the river
Tyne.
Crichton Mains Arts and Crafts farmhouse 1885-7 by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson
Crichton Cottages 1885 probably also by Rowand Anderson. Random rubble with
Tudor detailing and pend arch in the middle.
Landscape Character
28 The landscape character of the
Borthwick and Crichton Conservation
Area is a complex mix of gently
rolling topography. Into this are
carved the broad valleys of the
Middleton North Burn and the Gore
Water in the south west and the more
incised, narrow and well wooded
Tyne Water valley in the east and
north east. The landscape in the
eastern part of the Conservation Area
comprises a flat to gently undulating
plateau while in the west it has a more
rounded and rolling character. The
landscape is characterised by
unimproved pasture and rough
grassland on the higher ground with
more arable land on the lower ground.
Field boundaries on the higher ground
are marked by dry stone walls and
fences, on the lower ground by
generally well kept hedges. The man-
made Borthwick Bank was
constructed to carry the former
Waverley Line and forms an
important visual barrier across the
valley to the north east of Borthwick
castle.
The higher ground is characterised by dry stone
walls forming the field boundaries
29 Woodlands, mature shelterbelts,
hedgerows and mature roadside trees
are important elements in creating and
enhancing the landscape character of
the Conservation Area. There are a
number of woodlands within the area
which have significant value in terms
of age and biodiversity. They form an
important part of the character of the
river valleys providing interest,
shelter and enclosure. At Borthwick
the mixed mature woodland provides
a dramatic backdrop to the castle, the
church and associated buildings.
Other important areas of woodland
are the Chirmat (to the south of
Borthwick church), Currie Wood (to
the east of Borthwick Castle), Birky
Bank, Birky Side and Maggie Bowies
Glen (all to the south and south east
of Crichton Castle). There are
important woodlands to the west,
north and north-west of Crichton
church at Crichton Manse Wood,
Mountskip Wood, Works Wood,
along Stretchendean and along the
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
11
valley of the Tyne Water. Black Bog
Wood is a small but important area of
woodland in the south west and Kiln
Wood is an important area of
woodland on the eastern edge of the
Conservation Area.
30 Currie Wood, Maggie Bowies Glen,
Birky Side, Birky Bank, Kiln Wood,
Mountskip Wood, the Works Wood,
Stretchendean and Black Bog Wood
are all areas of ancient woodland.
Currie Wood is part of the wider
Crichton Glen SSSI and is also a
Woodland Trust Scotland wildlife
reserve. Stretchendean and Crichton
Manse Wood are designated by the
Scottish Wildlife Trust as wildlife
sites as is the former Waverley line.
31 The landscape character of the
valleys, particularly at Crichton, is
likely to have changed little over the
past two hundred years or so. This is
evidenced by the large number of
areas of ancient woodlands still
occurring in the area.
Wooded valley at Crichton Castle
Issues
32 The character of the Borthwick and
Crichton Conservation Area comes
from the largely unimproved nature of
the valley which gives it an almost
medieval feel. It is important that this
sense of isolation should not be
destroyed and that the setting of the
two castles and churches, in particular
should be safeguarded.
Enhancement Opportunities
33 The key point here is that much
should remain exactly as it is. There
is little by way of improvement
required at Crichton: the castle,
church and village should simply
remain as they are while being
protected from any adverse
development. At Borthwick the same
applies although the opportunity
should be taken as it arises to
replace unfortunate window
alterations with more sympathetic
fenestration and to tidy up the rather
unkempt appearance of some
parts. Landscape Enhancement
Over-mature beech trees line the
Colegate road and have a strong
influence on the character of the
approach to Crichton from the south
west. A programme of phased
removal and replanting
should be initiated.
ISSUES APPLICABLE TO THE WHOLE
CONSERVATION AREA
34 Maintenance, repair and re-use of
existing buildings is the preferred
option to redevelopment unless this
can be demonstrated to bring
substantial improvement to the
conservation area. For alterations,
extensions and new building it is
essential that the existing character of
the area is respected. Important
architectural detail should be retained.
Materials for all new building must be
of a high quality. A high standard of
contemporary design is welcomed
provided careful attention is paid to
scale, proportions, details and the use
of materials, and that these relate to
the character of the conservation area.
Important details should be retained.
Street furniture should be of an
appropriate design, and lighting
standards should be of an appropriate
height. Any new development should
be of an appropriate density. The
building conservation principles set
out in paragraphs 67-74 should be
observed
35 Development briefs should be
prepared for new development, and
planning applications should include
a design statement indicating how the
proposed development is sympathetic
with the character of the conservation
area.
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
12
CHARACTER ANALYSIS MAP
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
13
LISTED BUILDINGS
Category Parish &
Item No.
Borthwick Bridge
Early 19th century semi circular arched bridge. Random rubble and curved
wing walls.
C(S) Borthwick
28
Borthwick Castle
1430. U-plan keep within courtyard. 3 storey and basement main block with
two 6 storey and basement wings. Grey coursed ashlar. Splayed base
course; chamfered reveals; machicolated parapet with bartizans on external
angles.
A Borthwick
29
Borthwick Church
1862-64 by Thomas Brown of Brown and Wardrop. Incorporates the
remains of the 12th century apse. Cruciform plan, Gothic revival church
with broach spire to the tower. Squared and snecked sandstone ashlar with
polished dressings.
B Borthwick
31
Borthwick Churchyard
12th century onwards. Near quadrangular terraced churchyard. Squared and
snecked sandstone wall with semi circular coping and random rubble.
Memorial gatepiers with decorative ironwork gates.
C(S) Borthwick
30
Borthwick Manse
Earlier 19th century, 2 storey, 3 bay, L-plan manse with mid 19th century
additions and alterations. Squared and snecked tooled sandstone with
droved dressings. 12 pane lying pane and 8 pane timber sash and case
windows, slate roof and cast iron rainwater goods.
B Borthwick
32
Borthwick Manse Old Stables
Mid 19th century, single storey and attic, 3 bay stable block now a private
house. Tooled, squared and snecked rubble with droved dressings.
Casement and sash and case windows, slate roof, cast iron rainwater goods.
C(S) Borthwick
33
Borthwick Old School House Boundary Wall and Railings
Mid 19th century, single storey and attic, irregular plan, 3 bay Tudor Gothic
cottage. Stugged, squared and snecked sandstone with polished dressings.
Gabled entrance porch. 8 pane timber sash and case windows, slate roof,
cast iron rainwater goods. Iron railings.
C(S) Borthwick
34
1 & 2 Catcune Farm Cottages
Late 19th century. Single storey, 9 bay terrace of 3 rectangular plan
cottages, now converted to form 2 cottages. Tooled squared and snecked
rubble with droved dressings.
C(S) Borthwick
36
Crichton Castle
Late 14th century tower house with two 15th century wings. Quadrangular
plan around a central courtyard. Coursed sandstone ashlar, coursed rubble,
polished margins and a machicolated parapet. A variety of external
detailing including arrow slits, corbelling, Renaissance cornice, gun loops,
archivolts, polygonal columns and classical pilasters. Renaissance additions
to the internal courtyard with diamonds of nailhead faceted masonry to the
north elevation. Contains Scotland's first scale-and-platt staircase.
A
Ancient
Monument
Crichton
5
Crichton Castle Stables
Medieval but improved in 1580. Two storey rectangular possibly stable
block with crow stepped gables and horse shoe shaped light over the main
entrance.
A Crichton
6
Crichton Church
1449 restored in 1898 and repaired in 1998. Gothic and Romanesque
cruciform collegiate church with central tower and bellcote, the nave now
missing. Ashlar with a moulded base course. Cavetto eaves course with
carved heads. Slate roof with parapet
A Crichton
8
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
14
Crichton Limekilns
Later 18th century. L-plan lime kiln. Random rubble; dressed stone long
and short quoins, 2 stone lined flues with 4 draw holes. Range of 2 adjoined
rectangular office buildings now unglazed and roofless.
C(S) Crichton
9
Crichton Manse (The Byways)
1798 with early 19th century additions. Two storey, five bay manse.
Sandstone random rubble with ashlar dressings.
B Crichton
11
Crichton Mains
1885-1887 by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson with Wardrop and Reid. 2-
storey irregularly massed, Z-plan Arts and Crafts farmhouse. Coursed pink
and white sandstone. Ashlar cills, mullions and skews.
B Crichton
10
10-14 Crichton Village
Single storey symmetrical range of six cottages with advanced gable ends
flanking a central arch. Coursed sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings.
B Crichton
12
Currie Bridge
Early 19th century semi circular arched bridge of random rubble.
C(S) Borthwick
37
Currie House Walled Garden
Late 18th century, near quadrangular plan walled garden. Random rubble
walls. Sundial in centre.
B Borthwick
39
Currie Mains
Late 18th century 2 storey, 3 bay rectangular plan traditional farmhouse
with flanking wings. Harled with droved red sandstone dressings. 12 pane
timber sash and case windows, slate roof, cast iron rainwater goods.
Rectangular plan cottage with bellcote.
B Borthwick
39A
Loquhariot Doocot
18th century. Single chamber lectern dovecot with crow stepped gables;
roofless. Rat course. 304 nest boxes. Beaked skewputts.
B Borthwick
70
Mountskip Farm
Late 18th century. 2 storey, 3 bay, rectangular plan farmhouse with earlier
19th century additions and alterations; courtyard enclosed by outbuildings
to rear. Random rubble with droved dressings. Long and short quoins.
C(S) Borthwick
75
CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY
36 The conservation area boundary has been drawn to include the part of the valleys of the Gore
water and river Tyne that form the setting for the castles and churches at Borthwick and
Crichton together with their surrounding buildings as well as the hamlet of Crichton.
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
15
CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY MAP
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
16
ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION ORDER
37 By making an order under Article 4 of
the Town and Country Planning
(General Permitted Development)
(Scotland) Order 1992, Midlothian
Council may, following approval
from the Scottish Ministers, direct
that general planning permission
granted for certain classes of
development through the Order shall
not apply.
38 It is proposed to introduce an Article
4 Direction Order to cover the
Eskbank and Ironmills conservation
area for the following classes of
development (as defined in the
General Permitted Development
Order 1992) for the following
reasons.
Development within the curtilage of
a dwellinghouse (Classes 1, 3, 6)
39 The cumulative effect minor
inappropriate alterations, even though
each should be small in scale, could
lead to the erosion of the character
and appearance of the conservation
area.
Sundry minor operations (Classes 7
and 8)
40 Traditional means of enclosure to
areas are crucial in establishing the
character and appearance of a
conservation area. Insensitive
alterations or unsuitable new means
of enclosure could visually damage
the conservation area. A number of
roads within the conservation area are
unclassified and the use of
inappropriate material for the
construction of new accesses to these
roads could be visually damaging.
Caravan sites (Classes 16 and 17)
41 A caravan site, however small in
scale, carelessly located and
inappropriately landscaped will spoil
the quality and rural character of the
conservation area.
Agricultural buildings (Class 18)
42 The Conservation Area includes an
area of agricultural activity. Without
this control large barns and storage
sheds could be erected without
planning permission which could
significantly adversely affect the
character and appearance of the
Conservation Area.
Land drainage works (Class 20)
43 The landscape surrounding the castles
at Borthwick and Crichton forms an
important setting for these castles of
national importance. Land drainage
works required for agricultural
operations could cause severe damage
and detract from important views
across the landscape.
Forestry buildings (Class 22)
44 Forestry buildings (which could
include storage sheds and machinery
enclosures) and operations can have a
significant deleterious impact on the
setting and character of the
Conservation Area. Prior notification
procedures alone are unlikely to
provide sufficient control.
Repairs to private roads and
private ways (Class 27)
45 The present appearance of private
roads, lanes and paths in the
Borthwick and Crichton area is
predominantly rural and in keeping
with the surrounding historic
buildings and landscape.
Inappropriate repairs to and surfacing
of these traditional features (such as
the renewal of a driveway in tarmac
and with concrete kerbstones) could
have an adverse impact on the visual
amenity of the Conservation Area.
Development by statutory
undertakers (Classes 38, 39, 40, 43
and 43a)
46 Development by statutory undertakers
can be contemporary in nature and
visually obtrusive. All such
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
17
development should be controlled and
be sensitively sited.
47 Development by the Coal Authority
and its licensees (Class 61) Open cast coal prospecting could
have an adverse effect on the
appearance of the Conservation Area.
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
18
BUILDING CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES
45 Well-designed buildings are evident in all ages and it is their design per se that is the critical
factor. No one age has a monopoly of good building design. New building is neither always
worse, nor old building necessarily better.
46 Building within an historic context requires particular sensitivity. This sensitivity however,
may be expressed though a number of different styles the appropriateness of which will
depend both the quality of the design and its relationship to its setting.
47 There can be no substitute for the skill of the individual designer. It is possible to apply the
“rules” of good design and yet to produce a building that is bland in the extreme.
Diversity
48 A number of design approaches are possible and Conservation Areas can be capable of
absorbing a range of these. Diversity can enrich an area and variety is frequently desirable.
Design approaches may be broadly categorised under the following headings:
Pastiche This is an exact copy of an old building as is possible. To be successful this
relies on excellent knowledge and careful choice of details.
Traditional This is often used to follow the local vernacular. Form, materials and
detailing are borrowed from the past but are slightly contemporary in style.
Modern The design is clearly of its time yet is respectful of its context. It may use
traditional materials in contemporary manner, or modern materials in
historical forms.
49 Which of these styles is used will depend upon the skill and philosophy of the architect and
patron, as well as the particular setting. In all cases, however, quality of design must be allied
to quality of materials.
50 As a general rule, old buildings should be conserved as found with original architectural detail
respected. It can be hard to replace the design and building quality found in many traditional
buildings. Old buildings and their surroundings have a great visual appeal and reinforce local
identity. They are of immense importance for education, recreation, leisure, tourism and the
wider economy. Equally, well-designed modern development forms an important part of our
heritage.
51 A very large number of buildings in Midlothian were built in the 18th
and 19th
centuries. This
is certainly the case within the many conservation areas. These buildings exhibit in the main
the following characteristics. Which should be respected in all repairs, alterations and new
buildings.
Masonry
Walls
Masonry walls are important both in building and as space enclosures. They
contribute to character and are difficult to replicate and should therefore be
retained wherever possible. They are commonly of rubble (random or
coursed), occasionally ashlar. Original masonry surface coverings such as
harling should be kept. Pointing should be correctly carried out.
Doors Original door openings invariably possess the current proportions for a
building should be retained to preserve the architectural integrity of the
building. Doors themselves should be repaired rather than replaced.
Windows Original window openings invariably possess the correct proportions for a
building and should be retained to preserve the architectural integrity of the
building. Original mullions should always be retained. Additional window
openings should be of an appropriate size and proportion and should not spoil
symmetry. Timber sash windows can case windows and their astragals should
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
19
almost always be retained.
Roofs Roofs are dominant elements that give a building its profile. Original roof
pitches and coverings should be preserved. Chimney stacks and pots should be
retained. Dormers are often important features and new dormer windows
should be carefully designed to relate to existing. The same applies to
rooflights and skylights.
Details A wide range of details contributes immensely to the character of a
conservation area and, if its good appearance is to be retained, these must not
be incrementally eroded. The loss of one detail may not make a substantial
difference but the loss of many will. Important details include:
external guttering and pipework, and finials;
stone details including skews, door and window surrounds, cornices,
balustrades and other ornamentation.
Floorscape Original paving and other floorscapes should always be retained.
Enclosures Stone garden and field walls, fences and railings should be retained.
Street
Furniture
Street furniture including lampposts, telephone boxes, bins and benches should
be retained where original and where new must be in character with the area.
Further
Advice
Further advice on the repair and extension of buildings and new buildings
within the conservation area is available for the Strategic Services Division of
Midlothian Council
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
20
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Abutments The solid part of a pier
or wall against which
an arch abuts
Canted Any part of a building on a
polygonal plan
Architrave The lowest of 3 main
parts of entablature.
The moulded frame
surrounding a door or
window.
Capitals The head of a column,
pilaster etc in classical
architecture
Archivolts The continuous
architrave moulding on
the face of an arch,
following its contour
Castellated Decorated with battlements
Arrises A sharp edge produced
by the meeting of 2
surfaces.
Cat slide A single pitch roof
Ashlar Hewn blocks of
masonry wrought to
even faces and square
edges lain in horizontal
courses with vertical,
fine joints, usually
polished on the face.
Classical Greek and Roman
architecture and any
subsequent styles inspired by
this.
Astragals A glazing bar for sub-
dividing a window into
small panes
Coadstone Artificial cast stone, widely
used in the 18th
and early 19th
century for all types of
ornamentation.
Balustrad-
ing
Short posts or pillars in
a series supporting a
rail or coping
Coping A capping or covering to a
wall
Barge boards Projecting boards
placed against the
incline of the gable of a
building and hiding the
ends of roof timbers
Corbelling Brick or masonry course,
each built out beyond the one
below to support a chimney
stack or projecting turret
Bartizan A corbelled turret at
the top angle of a
building.
Corbie or crow
stepped gables
Stepped ends on top of a
stone gable taking the place
of a stone cope on a skew.
Bell-cote A framework on a roof
from which to hang
bells
Cornice A moulded projection at the
top of an opening or wall.
Bipartite Double eg bipartite
sash windows – 2 sash
windows side by side
Corps de logis A French term commonly
used to describe the main
building as opposed to the
wings or pavilions.
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
21
Buttress A mass of masonry or
brickwork projecting
from or built against a
wall to give extra
strength
Coursed stone Stone laid in horizontal
courses
Canopy A projection or hood
over a door, window,
tomb, altar, pulpit
niche etc
Crenellated A parapet with alternating
indentations and raised
portions, for example a
battlement.
Cruciform A cross shaped plan
form, for example in a
church
Machicolations A gallery or parapet
projecting on brackets and
built on the outside of castle
towers and walls (with
openings for pouring lead on
the enemy)
Dentil A small square block
used in series in Ionic,
Corinthian and
Composite columns.
Mullion Vertical member between the
lights of a window.
Doric
The earliest of the
Greek classical orders
of architecture
Mutulated From mutule – the
projecting square block
above the triglyph under the
corona of a Doric cornice.
Dormer window Window standing up
vertically from the
roof.
Nave The western limb of a
church, west of the crossings
flanked by aisles.
Drip stone or
hood mould
A projecting moulding
to throw off the rain on
the face of a wall,
above an arch,
doorway or window.
Ogee A double curved line made
up of a convex and concave
part pantiles.
Droved An approximately
parallel series of
grooves in stone work
made by a hammer and
bolster
Pantiles A roofing tile of curved s-
shaped sections
Eaves Overhanging edge of
the roof.
Parapet A low wall placed to protect
any spot where there is a
sudden drop for example a
house top
Finial A formal ornament at
the top of a canopy,
gable or pinnacle (often
in the form of a fleur
de lys)
Pastiche Generally used as a
derogatory term to describe a
poor copy of an architectural
element
Gable The triangle at the end
of a double pitched
roof.
Patina The weathered appearance of
a building material
Gable head
stack
A chimney stack rising
directly form the gable
wall of a building
Pediment a low pitched gable over a
portico, door or window
Gothic arched
window
A window with a
pointed arch
Pepper pot
turret
Turret with conical or
pyramid roof.
Harling A thrown wall finish of
lime and aggregate.
Pilaster A shallow pier or column,
projecting very slightly from
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
22
a wall
Hip roof A roof with sloping
ends instead of vertical
ends (or piend - Scots)
Plinth The projecting base of a wall
or column pedestal usually
chamfered or moulded at the
top
Hipped dormer A window placed
vertically in a sloping
roof with a sloping
roof.
Portico A roofed space, open or
partly closed, forming the
entrance and centre-piece of
the front of a building
Hopper The enlarged entrance
at the head of a down
pipe.
Quoins The dressed stone at the
corner of buildings, usually
laid so that their faces are
alternatively large and small
Impost A member in a wall,
usually in the form of a
projected bracket-like
moulding upon which
an arch rests.
Rainwater
goods
Gutters and down pipes
which channel rainwater
from the roof of a building.
Random rubble Uncoursed stone work
with rough faces.
Stucco A kind of plaster work.
Stugged Stonework with a punched
finish.
Reconstructed
stone
Artificial stone Thack stane Projecting stone on a
chimney to cover a thatch.
Reveal That part of the
surround which lies
between the glass or
door and outer wall
surface.
Timpany gable Gable in the middle of a
house front generally for
carrying up the flue and
provides a small attic
apartment.
Romanesque The style current until
the advent of Gothic,
origins conjectured
between 7th
and 10th
centuries AD
Tempietto A small temple.
Rusticated Masonry cast in large
blocks separated from
each other by deep
joints
Tooled Marks made by tooling or
cutting into stone
Skew putts The lowest stone at the
foot of a skew built
into the wall for
strength, sometimes
moulded.
Traceried The ornamental intersecting
work in the upper part of a
window.
Skews Sloping stones
upstanding above a
roof and finishing a
gable.
Turret Small tower, usually attached
to a building.
Squared dressed
stone
Stones squared and
worked to a finished
face
Vernacular Nature or indigenous, not
designed or taught
Street scene The street seen as a
whole, defined by its
constituent parts e.g.
buildings, walls, roads
etc
Vista View of features seen from a
distance
String course Intermiate stone course Voussoirs A brick or wedge shaped
Borthwick & Crichton Conservation Area Midlothian
23
or moulding projecting
from the surface of a
wall.
stone
forming one of the units of
an arch
REFERENCES
Jane Thomas 1995 – Midlothian – An Illustrated Architectural Guide – (published by the Rutland Press)
Nikolaus Pevsner, Colin McWilliam 1978 – Lothian (except Edinburgh) – (published by Penguin Books)
Recommended