Scottish castles: a complete history of iconic historic buildings and their role in Scotland's story
Nov 24, 2023
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Author and National Trust for Scotland chair, Janet Brennan-Inglis, discusses Scottish castles' history and architects MacGibbon and Ross' documentation work. The podcast explores the evolution of castles, their connection to colonialism, and the preservation efforts by the National Trust for Scotland. Janet also shares captivating stories behind Scotland's castles and the importance of safeguarding these historic sites.
Architects MacGibbon and Ross revolutionized the study of Scottish castles in the 1880s.
Preserving Scotland's historic buildings faces challenges balancing restoration and conservation.
Deep dives
Architectural Marvels of Scotland's Castles
Scotland's castles, not just admired for their breathtaking scenery but also for their rich history and magnificence, captivate visitors from around the world. The National Trust for Scotland plays a vital role in preserving these architectural gems, which narrate compelling tales of Scotland's past. Architects David MacGibbon and Thomas Ross made significant contributions in the 1880s by meticulously surveying and documenting over 700 castles and historic buildings, revolutionizing our understanding of these structures and aiding in their preservation.
The Remarkable Lives of MacGibbon and Ross
David MacGibbon, born into wealth and privilege with a penchant for sketching grand buildings across Europe, partnered with Thomas Ross, a talented architect from humble beginnings. Their contrasting backgrounds and shared passion for castles led to a groundbreaking collaboration that produced 'The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland', a pioneering work that categorized and chronicled Scotland's castle history as never done before.
Challenges in Conservation and Heritage Preservation
While MacGibbon and Ross laid the foundation for conservation efforts, their fears about the fate of historic buildings were not unfounded. The 20th century witnessed a troubling trend of demolishing historic structures, with one building vanishing every three days in 1955. Despite some successes in saving landmarks, ongoing debates surround restoration versus preservation, highlighting the delicate balance between progress and safeguarding Scotland's architectural legacy.
The National Trust for Scotland cares for a dozen Scottish castles, all of which have unique histories and origins.
In this week’s episode, Jackie sits down with author Janet Brennan-Inglis, who also chairs the Trust’s Galloway group, to discuss some of these buildings and their influence on Scotland’s story.
Janet also guides Jackie through the tale of MacGibbon and Ross, two architects who, in the 1880s, completed a comprehensive study of Scotland’s built heritage.
For more information on the Trust’s castles, and to get visitor information, click here.
For more information on Janet’s book, A Passion for Castles, click here.
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