How we select sites for the Inventory

There are more than 3000 gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland of varying size, character, value and condition. More than 1000 sites have so far been considered for inclusion and new sites are looked at on an on-going basis. There are currently approximately 386 sites.

The Value System

To be deemed as being of national importance, and therefore included in the Inventory, a site will usually have to meet a majority of criteria based on the following values:

• Work of Art
• Historical
• Horticultural, Arboricultural and Silvicultural
• Architectural
• Scenic
• Nature Conservation
• Archaeological

The criteria for assessment are set out in full in Annex 4 of the Scottish Historic Environment Policy:.

For each value, sites are awarded a merit category: Outstanding, High, Some, Little or None. Judgements are based on the condition of the garden and designed landscape as it is seen today.

Generally, the greater the number of outstanding or high values, the more important the site. However, exceptionally, sites may be of such significance for one value that they too must be regarded as of national importance.

Comparatively small plantsman’s gardens like Arduaine in Argyll and Bute, or Branklyn in Perth for example, may only score very highly in the horticultural value category and represent little value in the others.

The rare plant collections contained in these gardens makes them nationally important and worthy of protection.

They are as significant as much larger and grander designed landscapes like Cawdor Castle in the Highlands or Hopetoun House in West Lothian which both score very highly in almost every category.

The value system is a means of comparing landscapes of similar scale, age and character.

"Lost gardens"

Many landscapes have been lost which were once valuable. The integrity of their design has been destroyed or degraded to such an extent that it is no longer clearly identifiable.

These landscapes may have a richly documented history but cannot be included in the Inventory because they cannot be protected in any practical way. There is not enough left on the ground to physically conserve.

There are also many sites where certain features have been lost or degraded, for example, walled gardens taken out of flower, vegetable and fruit production, or follies fallen down and their remains removed.

However, the over-all design of some of these sites may still be intact and easily recognisable, making them highly valuable and worthy of inclusion.

Gardens structure

The dynamic nature of gardens and designed landscapes can make evaluation challenging. Especially in regard to determining whether or not particular historical periods and components of a design should be highlighted in comparative assessments.

Although a garden or landscape may be most widely known for its colourful borders or plant collections, this actually represents the most short lived part of the landscape and it is the longer term structures of a garden which must be considered.

The long-term structure of a designed landscape consists of the built structures, landform and trees with a lifespan of 100 years or more.

The medium-term structure consists of shorter-lived trees (20-100 years) and shrubs, and the short-term structure is made up of the herbaceous plants and bulbs with a lifespan of 1-20 years.

Inclusion in the Inventory

Once a site has been selected for inclusion, a preliminary search of the documentary evidence is made and the site is then physically surveyed.

The documentary evidence for a site consists of primary material such as historical maps, estate and family records, photographs, designs and plans, and secondary material including books, statistical records and magazine articles.

A preliminary site report is then produced, based on a review of the documentary evidence and the site findings, and values are awarded in each category.

If the site is deemed to be of sufficient merit it is recommended for inclusion on the Inventory, the decision being made by the Chief Inspector. In cases where the the merits of a site are not clear-cut the views of external experts will be sought.