An Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in
Scotland
Historical influences on the designed landscape
In 1461, Hangingshaw Castle was the property of the Murrays of Fala. Some time later it was one of the strongholds of 'Outlaw Murray', and it is said in the OS Gazetteer of 1885 to have 'witnessed ... a profusion of domestic display and pomp of a retinue almost princely'. It was probably during this period, the 16th century, that the terraces were built. In 1766, the house was burnt and in 1769 James Murray commissioned a new one. By 1770 he was forced by his creditors to sell and the property of about 8,500 acres was purchased by the Johnstones of Alva. By the end of the century the vaulted chamber of the castle was standing near the ruins of the new mansion house.
The present house was built in 1846 and, at the end of the 19th century, Hangingshaw had 'finely-wooded grounds'. There are one or two photographs dated 1884 which show the house and upper terrace. The Johnstones sold the estate in 1924 to the Meade family who between 1980-85 sold it in several lots and the designed landscape was divided between different owners. The house and gardens are now owned by Mr and Mrs David Leggatt who are restoring the house and are hoping to improve the gardens.
The ownership of the policies has been split and the woodland garden is currently under threat of building development. Hangingshaw Gardens have been neglected for 20-30 years and the attractive garden of the 1930s has all but gone. The yews and hollies are enormous and totally overgrown but are magnificent specimens. The terraces are slowly deteriorating and need continual care to preserve them. In the short-term, the invasion of sycamore seedlings etc should be checked to avoid further damage. If any part of the older trees, particularly the yews, fall down the annual rings should be counted and this would give a more accurate date of their planting and the probable date of the terraces. Some of the unusual trees, shrubs and rhododendrons are worth conserving and should be identified before any further clearance is carried out.
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Historical influences on the designed landscape
In 1461, Hangingshaw Castle was the property of the Murrays of Fala. Some time later it was one of the strongholds of 'Outlaw Murray', and it is said in the OS Gazetteer of 1885 to have 'witnessed ... a profusion of domestic display and pomp of a retinue almost princely'. It was probably during this period, the 16th century, that the terraces were built. In 1766, the house was burnt and in 1769 James Murray commissioned a new one. By 1770 he was forced by his creditors to sell and the property of about 8,500 acres was purchased by the Johnstones of Alva. By the end of the century the vaulted chamber of the castle was standing near the ruins of the new mansion house.
The present house was built in 1846 and, at the end of the 19th century, Hangingshaw had 'finely-wooded grounds'. There are one or two photographs dated 1884 which show the house and upper terrace. The Johnstones sold the estate in 1924 to the Meade family who between 1980-85 sold it in several lots and the designed landscape was divided between different owners. The house and gardens are now owned by Mr and Mrs David Leggatt who are restoring the house and are hoping to improve the gardens.
The ownership of the policies has been split and the woodland garden is currently under threat of building development. Hangingshaw Gardens have been neglected for 20-30 years and the attractive garden of the 1930s has all but gone. The yews and hollies are enormous and totally overgrown but are magnificent specimens. The terraces are slowly deteriorating and need continual care to preserve them. In the short-term, the invasion of sycamore seedlings etc should be checked to avoid further damage. If any part of the older trees, particularly the yews, fall down the annual rings should be counted and this would give a more accurate date of their planting and the probable date of the terraces. Some of the unusual trees, shrubs and rhododendrons are worth conserving and should be identified before any further clearance is carried out.
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