The Burn

http://portal.historic-scotland.gov.uk/hes/web/f?p=PORTAL:DESIGNATIONS:0

Location and Setting

The Burn is situated at the foot of Glenesk, approximately 1 mile (2km) north of the village of Edzell and 6 miles (10km) north of the town of Brechin. The River North Esk forms the western boundary of the site. At The Burn, the river also forms the boundary between Grampian and Tayside Region. To the north and west, the surrounding landscape is largely upland grazing with forestry blocks along the sheltered banks of the River North Esk. To the east and south, the landscape broadens out to the Howe of the Mearns and the Vale of Strathmore. The River North Esk on the west boundary is an important feature from within the landscape; magnificent views can be gained from the woodland walk along the edge above the river. The Loyes Suspension Bridge crosses the river almost due west of the house. The forestry belts, which enclose the policies, restrict views into the site and also serve to generally restrict views out to the wider surrounding landscape.

The mansion house at The Burn is situated in a central position within approximately 190 acres (77ha) of policies which lie in an elongated band between the River North Esk and the Glenesk Road. Historically the policies extended beyond the present boundaries. Doulie Tower and Gannochy Tower were built as follies by Lord Adam Gordon, the latter lying outwith the current policies to the south of Gannochy Bridge. Lord Adam Gordon was also responsible for planting some 87 acres of woodland on the opposite bank of the river which belonged to the Panmure Estate but was thought to be scenically important from The Burn.

The burn of Kirkton was diverted through the policies as part of the original layout by Lord Adam Gordon in a scheme similar to that of one of his contemporaries, Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk, Aberdeenshire. Entering on the northern boundary, the burn was canalised through the walled garden and it continued south through the amenity woodland. In front of the house, a small waterfall was constructed and a hooped bridge crosses over the burn south-west of the house to the river walk through the Park.

The diverted Kirkton Burn supplied water to the byres and stable and probably also to the house itself. It provided a water supply for the laundry, boiler house and garages up until World War II. The water was also exploited to turn the water wheel at the sawmill, the derelict remains of which lie to the south of Gannochy Bridge.

Landscape Components

Architectural Features

The original mansion house and adjacent stable block were built in 1791- 96. The stable clock is dated 1797. Between 1933-35 the additions of 1805 and 1814 were demolished and rebuilt. Both mansion house and stable block are now listed category B. The original architect is unknown; the architects for the rebuilding in 1933-35 were J.A.Ogg Allan of Aberdeen. Also listed B are the gatelodge and gatepiers, the public shelter, erected by Mr G.H. Russel in c.1935, and the screen walls. A sundial. stands on the lawn on the west side of the house. It was made for Lord Adam Gordon by Wm Robb of Montrose in 1796 and it originally stood on the lawn to the east of the house. The Doulie Tower. was built as a folly and picnic place at the north end of a riverside walk. The Loyes Suspension Bridge crosses the gorge west of the house; it is closed off as it is in a dangerous condition. The remains of the Ice House are still visible behind the Gardener's Cottage.

Parkland

The parks at The Burn lie to the west and east of the main drive which runs through the policies, flanked by woodlands from the South Lodge to the walled garden. They are divided into four separate areas by the east drive from the house and the walk between the south drive and the river. Together, the parks form an impressive setting to the house. They are enclosed by ha-ha walls, the condition of which has deteriorated with age. Within each enclosure, there are many fine parkland trees; some beech, horse chestnut and walnut trees remain from the original planting by Lord Adam Gordon whilst the majority of trees are younger, dating from the 19th century, and of mixed species. Some beech have been replanted in the parks and horse chestnuts have recently been added along the walk to the River North Esk from the south drive. Comparison of the 1st & 2nd edition OS maps shows that the western parkland originally extended to the edge of the river but, by the late 19th century, a woodland strip had been established between the park and the river and the ha- ha enclosure extended along its length. A cattle tunnel, now disused, linked the west park with the byres and stables to the north of the house and served to avoid the cattle being seen from the house on their way to being milked.

Woodland

The original woodlands on the estate were laid out over some 526 acres by Lord Adam Gordon at the end of the 18th century. The majority of his plantings were felled and sold in the 1940s and are outwith the policies today; some have since been replanted as amenity woodland; others, for example part of Round Green Plantation on the east side of the policies, have been allowed to regenerate with birch and rhododendron. Within the present 190 acres of policies, the woodlands to the north and east of the site are managed for amenity by the Forestry Commission. They are mixed deciduous and coniferous plantations, established within the last thirty years. The woodlands which flank the main drive and River North Esk are amenity woodlands which were laid out in the late 18th century, probably by Lord Adam Gordon. An additional area of woodland was added along the western edge of park between 1850-1900, thus forming a completed woodland edge to the river within the area of the policies. A riverside walk leads up to the Doulie Tower above the gorge.

Trees within the amenity woodlands are predominantly beech. Along the riverside, some Scots pine, oak, birch and rowan have been established at the woodland edge. In the woods to the north of the house, varieties include beech, horse chestnut, Wellingtonia and a fine cut-leaf beech, all aged c.150 years and less. Rhododendrons have colonized the understorey and, nearer the walled garden, there is some natural regeneration. Also in this area, Monkey puzzle and yew remain from earlier ornamental plantings. A footpath through this woodland to the walled garden follows the line of the canal, another footpath returns alongside the now overgrown wall.

The Gardens

A formal garden is thought to have been originally sited within the immediate vicinity of the house although no such garden is suggested on either the 1st or 2nd edition OS maps. A croquet lawn is sited on the south side of the mansion house and a putting green on the lawn opposite the west front; the sundial forms the centrepiece of the west lawn. Beyond the putting green, lawns slope down to the canalised burn where some specimen trees and shrubs have been established. In the spring the bank is covered by a mass of daffodils. There is also an attractive rock garden at the edge of the footpath down to the burn. The lawns extend around to the east of the house to the ha-ha, beyond which, on the edge of the park, stands a tennis court. Yew and other ornamental shrubs form a barrier between the lawns and tennis court.

Walled Garden

The walled garden, rectangular in shape, is situated on the north edge of the policies. Reference to the 1st & 2nd edition OS maps shows the garden divided into three compartments with the burn of Kirkton running through it in a north/south direction. Perimeter footpaths are indicated around both the inside and outside walls on the 1st edition OS map. The south-facing walls of the garden once carried all varieties of fruit trees. Greenhouses housed additional tender fruit and flowers and there were extensive herbaceous borders.

After World War II it was managed as a market garden. Since then, two-thirds of it has reverted to produce for the house. In the eastern third, a house has been built surrounded by lawns which extend down to the burn of Kirkton, along either side of which runs a magnificent herbaceous border.