AHSS Founded in 1956 – Over 50 Years of Commitment I Autumn 2014 I No
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AHSSSAut14_Layout 1 15/09/2014 10:05 Page 1 THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND www.ahss.org.uk AHSS Founded in 1956 – Over 50 years of Commitment I Autumn 2014 I No. 36 AHSSSAut14_Layout 1 15/09/2014 10:05 Page 2 Corporate Members Anderson Bell Christie Architects Art Institute of Chicago Benjamin Tindall Architects Comrie Development Trust Edinburgh City Libraries Gray, Marshall & Associates Heritage Masonry (Scot) Ltd LDN Architects National Gallery of Art, Washington National Museums Scotland Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland RIBA Library Join us! Simpson & Brown Architects T Graham & Son (Builders) Ltd Scotland has a rich heritage of castles, mansions and garden landscapes, Tod & Taylor Architects ecclesiastical and industrial sites, cities, towns and villages. This wealth of buildings provides many opportunities for study, but despite being famous throughout the world, our heritage is in constant need of Educational Members protection. The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland is committed to American University of Sharjah encouraging public understanding and appreciation of our built Centre Canadien d'Architecture environment and supports the thoughtful and meaningful preservation Glasgow Life and restoration of historic buildings. Historic Scotland Library The New Club Library Paul Mellon Centre Support our work and enjoy the many Robert Gordon University benefits of becoming a member. Swets Information Services Ltd University of Edinburgh, Department of Architecture Turn to page 9 for more information. University of St Andrews AHSSSAut14_Layout 1 15/09/2014 10:05 Page 3 WELCOME his autumn issue has a distinctly 'elemental' theme running through it. Subjects include Sumburgh Lighthouse, built to challenge Shetland's stormy waters, the earthy turf and AHSS stone structures of Iceland, and the sad, fiery events at the Glasgow School of Art. Autumn 2014 l No. 36 Time will tell whether the Land Reform Review Group's report is a breath of fresh air Tor becomes, well, just hot air. President Our 'International Perspectives' series continues with two articles examining the conservation Simon Green MA, FSA, FSA Scot practices of two very different countries: Australia and China. Australia's favoured 'carrot' over Chairman 'stick' approach is an intriguing one, but it begs the question: how do planners strike the right Emma Griffiths balance between pragmatism and idealism? Hon Treasurer We are often taught to 'think big' and certainly there are many architects who have taken that Hamish Macbeth mantra to heart with great success. However, this issue contains two articles that offer an Editor alternative by exploring the value of small spaces. 'Hutting' in Scotland has never matched the Abigail Daly Ruskin Lane Consulting popularity of similar movements in other European countries but a new campaign aims to change that and, hutters argue, bring the many social, health and cultural benefits of having a low-cost, Reviews Editor Mark Cousins 'escape' to the country. Design Coincidentally, Robyn Marsack, the author of this issue's 'My Favourite Building' feature, has Pinpoint Scotland Ltd. chosen a structure that that shares many of the qualities hutters would recognise, albeit in a location almost as far from Scotland as it is possible to go. Her evocation of a friend's cabin NATIONAL OFFICE expresses in suitably poetic terms why small can be beautiful, and why good architecture, The Architectural Heritage however modest, is so vital. Society of Scotland Riddle’s Court 322 Lawnmarket Abigail Daly Edinburgh EH1 2PG T 0131 557 0019 E [email protected] www.ahss.org.uk © AHSS and contributors, 2014 The opinions expressed by contributors in this publication are not necessarily those of the AHSS. The Society apologises for any errors or inadvertent infringements of copyright. The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, No. SC007554. The Society contents is a registered Company Limited by Guarantee, No. SC356726. The AHSS gratefully acknowledges 03 Editor’s Welcome 40 Book Reviews assistance from Historic Scotland towards the production costs of the 04 42 AHSS Magazine. View from the Chair Activity Reports – Emma Griffiths The AHSS gratefully acknowledges 42 Historic Scotland assistance from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical 06 Newsround 44 Royal Commission on the Monuments of Scotland with archive image reproduction and towards 08 Forthcoming Events Ancient and Historical production costs of the AHSS Monuments of Scotland Magazine. 14 Features 49 Built Environment Forum 14 The Green Townscape Scotland Heritage Initiative, Aberdeen 50 Scottish Civic Trust 18 Icelandic turf and stone 51 Members Area construction 51 23 Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, Spotlight Visitor Centre and Nature 52 National Study Tour Reserve 56 Activities 27 Hutting in Scotland 62 Casework 30 Considering conservation 66 My Favourite Building in China – Robyn Marsack 33 Australia: the use of carrots 67 over sticks Programme of Events 36 Scotland’s Third National Planning Framework & Cover image: A pillbox, North Berwick, identified as part of the Scottish Planning Policy Historic Scotland / RCAHMS 38 The Scottish Land Reform World War I Audit Project. © Crown Copyright reproduced Review Group Report courtesy of Historic Scotland. AUTUMN 2014 I THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND I 3 AHSSSAut14_Layout 1 15/09/2014 10:06 Page 4 EDITORIAL VIEW FROM THE CHAIR View from the Chair he view from the Chair is Environment Scotland Bill, which has now looking particularly sunny, as I passed its first parliamentary stage. The write on this fine August day. merged RCAHMS and Historic Scotland The Society has been based in organisation, Historic Environment Scotland, many locations over the years, is proposed to have charitable status – a Tour last home was the Glasite Meeting concern to not just this Society, but many House, and is currently Riddle’s Court, other organisations. There are limited funds where we are tenants of Scottish Historic available for building rescue, and Building Buildings Trust (SHBT). It has been an Preservation Trusts already struggle to raise excellent base on Edinburgh’s bustling Royal match funding on projects supported by Mile, in a building with a rich history Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery stretching back to 1587. It has been Fund. However, aside from the competition fascinating to observe closely the process of for third party funding, the adequate securing the future of the building: glimpses resourcing of the principal state organisation Emma Griffiths at first hand of the extraordinary efforts to responsible for the protection of the built National Chairman, AHSS secure funding, permissions, and clear heritage in Scotland must not be seen as an legislative and administrative hurdles while avoidable expense to drop, but simply outlining a robust, sustainable future for a necessary to enable the responsible building seen by many as in the “far too guardianship required for our generation to difficult” category. pass on to the future intact the rich and However, the great news is that SHBT varied designed environment that is have pulled it off, found a way to everyone’s right to enjoy. Our towns, our demonstrate viability, discretely insert 21st buildings, from castles to byres, these are the century services, and importantly secured stories in stone of our history. Funding for almost all of the required funding. While their proper care and maintenance is not a delighting in this success of our landlords, buck to pass, and we should expect and for this important historic building, we exemplary standards to be set from the were faced again with finding a new home. highest level in this duty of care. The AHSS We have an exciting plan for a new home comments on the Historic Environment with some illustrious neighbours, which we Scotland Strategy and Bill are included on will officially announce in the next few the Built Environment Forum Scotland months. Until then, rest assured that website (www.befs.org.uk). communication by email, post and I greatly enjoyed joining the annual study telephone will carry on as normal. tour in May arranged with huge skill and A second reason for great cheer is that many hours of careful preparation, by Simon while we have almost definitely been Green and Adam Swan, and taking the overloading our part-time administrator chance to introduce myself to some of the (and unsung hero) Bridget Mason, at last, we membership. I hope to be able to meet have managed to secure a fantastic more members at the AGM in October, and additional staff member. Sarah Pearce, who look forward very much to visiting the has worked on an ad hoc, part-time basis Crichton Campus in Dumfries. for the Society, took up full time A final thought, the Society’s voice in employment in August 2014. Sarah has speaking for the historic buildings of been assisting with our social media Scotland is already respected, and our views presence, representing the Society at events, often sought. This voice could only be and will expand this development and strengthened, and the Society made more support role, bringing to it her qualifications able to counter the threats to our heritage, in and enthusiasm for heritage, strong by increased membership. Please suggest administrative skills and charming joining to friends, consider giving a interpersonal skills. membership as a Christmas present, or The Society’s National Conservation presents! If we all recruit a single new Committee has been extremely active in member each, we will double our strength! the last six months, with comments on really We couldn’t do what we do without the critical changes in policy and the structural voluntary contributions of time, effort, delivery of conservation and heritage issues. expertise and energies, from members too The Society submitted measured comments numerous to mention, so to all, from a expressing concern over aspects of the fellow volunteer, I would like to express Historic Environment Strategy, and Historic enormous thanks.