Renewed Life for Scottish Castles

by Richard Fawcett and Allan Rutherford

Castles, both ruined and occupied, are amongst the most deeply evocative buildings in the Scottish landscape. This book considers the history of the conservation and restoration of a number of those buildings against the background of what the idea of the castle has meant to Scots over the centuries.

The authors draw on their extensive knowledge of castles across Scotland, as well as on their practical experience in advising on recent conservation and restoration projects. They begin by briefly considering the history of castles and by exploring their role in Scottish society, before moving on to consider the ways in which they were absorbed within later building complexes as domestic requirements and social aspirations changed.

As part of the history of the appreciation of castles, their retention as ruins in the rugged Scottish scenery is considered in relation to the fashion for picturesque and sublime landscapes in the 17th and 18th centuries. Following an account of the vogue for Romantic restoration, there is discussion of how a growing appreciation that such buildings contain important architectural and archaeological evidence has shaped more recent projects.

A series of detailed case studies then examines the issues surrounding the conservation and restoration of castles in modern times, which it is hoped will be of value for everyone with an interest in castles, including those who might be considering undertaking work on one.

Key Points

1. Wide-ranging overview of castles in the Scottish landscape
2. Detailed series of case studies of both conservation and restoration projects
3. Discussion of ‘best practice’ in castle restoration
4. Authors are leading experts on the history of Scottish castles
5. Accessible but informative style
6. Extensively illustrated in colour

About the Authors

Professor Richard Fawcett has spent much of his career working in the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments of Historic Scotland, advising on the conservation of a wide range of monuments. This book represents one of his final projects for Historic Scotland. He is continuing his research as a part-time Professor in the department of Art History at the University of St Andrews. He has published extensively on Scottish medieval architecture, including the CBA Research Report Stirling Castle, the restoration of the Great Hall.

Dr Allan Rutherford is a Senior Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Historic Scotland, with a broad experience of Scottish archaeology and architecture. He has a particular interest in castles and tower houses, which formed the subject of his doctoral thesis, and he leads Historic Scotland’s Scottish Castles initiative.

Readership

This book will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of Scottish castles and landscapes. While the engaging style will make this a fascinating book for the general reader, the detailed case studies will be of particular value to students of architectural history and conservation, and anyone considering restoring a castle or similar historic building.

Info: ISBN 978-1-902771-86-1; 196pp, 106 illus, many in full colour, April 2011
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