Help us to save Thomas ’s ‘Lost’ Scottish Observatory

A project has been launched to save the internationally significant astronomical observatory built by General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane near , Ayrshire for future generations. Preliminary work is well underway and the Brisbane Observatory Trust (Charity No.SC042253) is now appealing for funds for a careful archaeological excavation of the interior and preservation work.

1. General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Bt., GCB, GCH, FRS, FRSE (1783-1860)

If Brisbane’s name sounds familiar, it is because he gave his name to the City of Brisbane in Australia. Brisbane was a highly successful career soldier in the Napoleonic Wars and considered by the Duke of Wellington to be one of the best generals in his Army. With Wellington’s support Brisbane obtained the position of Governor General of in 1821, and is still better known in Australia than Scotland.

Brisbane’s passion was astronomy. Having studied astronomy at Edinburgh University, he first took a serious practical interest in astronomy in 1795 after he was nearly shipwrecked with his regiment in the because of a navigation error by the crew. He took command and saved the vessel. The event made a lasting impression on him. His health suffered badly in the tropics, and when he returned in 1805 he had to retire temporarily on half-pay when the regiment moved on to India. By this time Brisbane had planned an ambitious observatory for Brisbane House, his family home near Largs in Ayrshire, where he would use new precision instruments to determine star positions and to improve the accuracy of the longitude and latitude measurements necessary for safe navigation. His was one of the first specialist Brisbane House, with the observatory seen at the far left positional astronomy observatories, establishing a lead that others would follow. The observatory was built in the garden policies of Brisbane House. The site was laid out almost as soon as he returned home in 1805, and the building of three large meridian markers to preserve the alignment of the three principal instruments planned for the observatory was also achieved that year. These markers are very rare survivals that reveal observing techniques of the day - and they still stand in the centre of Largs where they are known as the ‘Three Sisters’.

The ‘Three Sisters’ meridian (or south pointing) markers for Brisbane’s telescopes, in Largs, 1909 (Largs Museum) The telescope positioned under the dome of Brisbane’s observatory, from Brewster’s Edinburgh Encyclopedia (1808) Brisbane had discussed his exacting instrument requirements with the premier London maker of the The comparative leisure of peacetime afforded plenty time, Edward Troughton, who by 1806 had devised the of opportunities to visit Paris. He was elected a first ‘mural circle’ for Brisbane – this was the most Corresponding Member of the Académie des Sciences novel measuring telescope introduced by Brisbane, and for his role in preventing the Académie’s destruction, one that marked a step-change in accuracy. The and contacts with the leading French scientists greatly complete 2ft diameter mural circle was shown to the encouraged his interest in astronomy. Board of Visitors of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich by Troughton and his explanation of the Brisbane had been attempting to gain the position of nature of the changes he had introduced persuaded Governor General in New South Wales since at least them to order a 6ft mural circle for Greenwich in 1809. mid-1815. In anticipation of being able to set up one The observatory building at Brisbane House, designed of the first well-equipped observatories in the Southern by the rising architect James Gillespie, was finished by Hemisphere and also of surveying the first southern arc 1808 and was fully-equipped by 1811. of longitude (then a pressing international problem for map making), he was soon buying astronomical The fame of Brisbane’s new instruments and the equipment from the principal Parisian dealers. His improved layout of the observatory were subsequently financial prospects were improved by an advantageous adopted at Edinburgh’s Royal Observatory, and at marriage in 1819, and with Wellington’s support he national observatories such as at the Cape in South finally secured the position of Governor General of Africa and at Washington. In a real sense, his New South Wales - effectively Australia. observatory at Brisbane House has international significance.

The cost had been immense and Brisbane was now heavily in debt. His family persuaded him to re-enter the Army and he obtained a staff position in 1811. He was promoted to Brigadier-General the following year and acquitted himself with great distinction in the against Napoleon’s forces. From there he was sent directly to Canada to lead his brigade in the war against the United States. Promoted to Major General in 1813 he was then summoned back with his division to the campaign which ended in Waterloo. But they arrived too late and joined the Army of Jean Donaldson, one of our Largs Trustees, visiting the site of Brisbane’s Australian observatory for discussions with Occupation in France, where Brisbane remained until Park officials 1818.

As soon as he took up residence in Government House at Parramatta, just east of Sydney, he set about the construction of a second positional observatory. Although almost nothing survives from this observatory’s original construction, from contemporary plans it was clearly developed from the design of his original observatory at Brisbane House. He had brought out to the colony the best of his instruments, including material acquired in France, and two astronomical assistants. Here his observations led to the 1835 publication (by the Royal Society and the Board of Longitude) of the first detailed survey of the The observatory south front after initial clearance, with Trustees Alison Morrison-Low and Allen Simpson positions of the southern stars. The Brisbane Observatory Trust was established in Brisbane returned to Britain in 1825 to settle at his 2011, under the auspices of the Astronomer Royal for wife’s Makdougall family estate at Makerstoun, near Scotland (currently the Trust’s Patron), to rescue this Kelso in the , where he built two important building, which was then considered to be in further observatories. In the meantime the observatory danger of rapid deterioration and collapse. The Trust at Brisbane was refitted and he continued to spend is a charitable building conservation company, and its several months each year observing there until late in board includes Major General Seymour Monro, the his life. Brisbane’s astronomical work was recognised senior descendant of the Brisbane family (President) in the award of the Royal Society’s Gold Medal. He and the Trust’s architectural adviser Dr James Simpson remained a central figure in scientific circles, holding of Simpson & Brown, conservation architects senior positions in the Royal Astronomical Society and (Trustee). was President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His military career continued also: he was appointed Colonel of the 34th foot in 1825, a position he held until his death in 1860, and he was promoted to full General in 1841.

His instruments at Parramatta Observatory were passed to the Colonial Government in Australia, and some survive in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, although none of the observational instruments that he had brought from Scotland. Brisbane’s remaining instruments in Scotland were auctioned in Edinburgh shortly after his death.

2. The Lost Observatory A provisional computer reconstruction of the original building, from an initial survey (John Simpson)

Brisbane House was demolished in 1941 as part of a The Trust’s aim is to save the Observatory ‘for wartime training exercise. The building needed much generations as yet unborn’ (Brisbane’s own repair, and none of the family had lived there since the words). Its objectives are: early 1930s.The observatory survived but was latterly 1. To preserve the Observatory and provide known to only a few local residents around Largs, and controlled access to it. the first historical work to record it was in 1982. It had lost its roof in the 1950s, and some stone robbing and 2. To involve the local community and vandalism had taken place but what remained was especially young people in this element of reasonably well preserved – an architectural gem in the their history: the sites and their benefactor. Ayrshire countryside. By 2010 it was totally obscured 3. To encourage the study of astronomy and by dense rhododendron growth which overwhelmed science in Scotland and with International the building. Although its faint outline remained on the partners. current large scale Ordnance maps, its existence was 4. To showcase Scottish skills ancient and not known to the authorities. modern. 5. To encourage cultural and educational links between Largs and Brisbane.

3. The Project to Save the Observatory different from that of the later 6ft instruments by The project was planned in a series of stages to be Troughton and Thomas Jones. undertaken as funding permitted. Phase 1 comprised ground clearance, site preparation and a survey. Excavation will be followed by necessary protection of Support for this stage was provided by the Royal the fabric, including lime re-pointing. A post- Scottish Society of Arts, the Kelburn Wind Farm excavation report will be prepared and presented. In Community Fund Initiative, and Clyde Muirshiel parallel further archival research and analysis will be Regional Park (in which the observatory is located). carried out and, together with the archaeological The Trust has an agreement with the landowner, Mr results, this will inform further conservation work. Ian Campbell, for the lease of the site and for the fencing of the perimeter. During Phase 2 the Trust, in conjunction with the landowner and other interested parties, will consider what more should be done to restore this most significant site.

5. The Future The Trust firmly believes that this internationally important, ‘lost’ observatory built by Sir Thomas Brisbane must be saved for the future. It is now seeking support towards Phase 2 which will leave the building in a stable and secure condition before any further work is considered.

The estimated cost of this phase is about £100,000

A party of local volunteers after the removal of several large (AUD 171,000). The Trust invites financial support trees from around the observatory towards reaching this total. Please contact: In 2015 the Trust commissioned a fully detailed Eileen Rae – Treasurer, [email protected] recording of the building in its existing state from Castlehill, Brisbane Glen Road, Largs, KA30 8SN Addyman Archaeology. This has assisted in clarifying the issues that must be addressed in the planned archaeological investigation, and identifying significant features that will be important in understanding the construction and operation of the observatory. A good start has also been made in parallel investigations of substantial Brisbane archives in library holdings, allowing for example the architect to be identified as James Gillespie Graham.

4. The Archaeological Investigation and Conservation Ahead Phase 2 will principally comprise preservation, archaeological investigation and subsequent conservation of the building in the 2018 season.

Parts of the observatory are in a delicate condition where there is sign of movement in rubble masonry. This requires immediate attention to stabilise these sections of wall.

Further work at the site will involve the recovery of detached stone from around the site, and the careful removal of stone from the interior. Archeologically controlled excavation should reveal the support wall for the flagged floor, the location of the interior dome supports, and the foundations for the plinths of the three principal instruments. It is hoped that this will help resolve puzzling issues such as the nature of the This detailed drawing shows a plan and elevations of Brisbane’s supports of the prototype mural circle, which is observatory at his house in Scotland, the forerunner of his better- known Australian observatory (ROE)