Inchyra

The following is from the Historic Environment Scotland Gardens and Designed Landscapes Inventory. For the most up-to-date Inventory entry, please visit the Historic Environment Scotland website:

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Location and Setting

Inchyra is situated on the edge of the Braes of the Carse approximately 6 miles (9.5km) to the east of the City of Perth and 15 miles (24km) west of Dundee. The A85(T) road runs along the southern boundary of the site and, between it and the Firth of Tay, lie the flat lands of the Carse of Gowrie. The village of Inchyra lies to the south-west of the policies on the edge of the river. To the north of the A85(T), the landscape is agricultural along the edge of the Braes but rises to Glencarse Hill 597' (182m) above the house. To the south, across the Firth of Tay, lie the Ochil and Lomond Hills in Fife, to which fine views are gained from the policies of Inchyra. The site enjoys a mild climate due to its sheltered position on the edge of the hills. The park is highly significant from the A85(T).

Inchyra House lies within some 188 acres (76ha) of designed landscape which extends north to the escarpment of Pans Hill 344' (105m), south to the A85(T) road and to shelterbelts along the east and west. Documentary map evidence of the development of the designed landscape is confined to the 1st edition OS map of 1868 and the 2nd edition OS map of c.1900, comparison of which indicates that the extent of the landscape has remained consistent since the early 19th century. Views out to the south beyond the River Tay to the Fife hills are important to the setting.

Landscape Components

Architectural Features

Inchyra House, listed category A, was built between 1800-1810, in the classical style. The architect is thought to be Gillespie Graham. Inchyra Lodge, listed category B, stands at the entrance to the south drive. The walled garden, listed category C(S) was built c.1800 of whin rubble, brick-lined with an architrave doorway. Statues of Diana and Apollo stand along the statue walk to the south of the walled garden. The stables and garages to the north of the house date from 1877. Various pieces of garden ornamentation, including statues and urns are modern reproductions.

Parkland

The parkland was designed as the setting for Inchyra House in a form shown on the 1st edition OS map of 1868. It has a particularly rolling landform and a history of being well stocked with trees. Some beech, sycamore and oak remain as part of the early 19th century planting. The 2nd edition OS map of c.1900 indicates that by this time the park had ceased to sweep up to the house and an enclosed area, similar in form to the present gardens, had been established. The parks are presently well stocked with young trees, some specimens, others in clumps. All are protected from the cattle which graze there. Species include oak, sycamore, horse chestnut and ash.

Woodland

The woodlands of Inchyra lie along the east/west and part of the south boundaries, along the escarpment of Pans Hill, and on either side of the drive to the walled garden. Comparison of available map evidence indicates that these woodlands were established by 1868, probably as part of the early 19th century designed landscape. The OS Gazetteer of c.1883 describes the estate of Inchyra to have 'finely wooded grounds'. Species are mainly mixed deciduous; elm is a significant component and many have died from Dutch Elm disease. Ornamental tree species have been established along the drive to the walled garden.

Woodland Garden

The woodlands of Inchyra lie along the east/west and part of the south boundaries, along the escarpment of Pans Hill, and on either side of the drive to the walled garden. Comparison of available map evidence indicates that these woodlands were established by 1868, probably as part of the early 19th century designed landscape. The OS Gazetteer of c.1883 describes the estate of Inchyra to have 'finely wooded grounds'. Species are mainly mixed deciduous; elm is a significant component and many have died from Dutch Elm disease. Ornamental tree species have been established along the drive to the walled garden.

The Gardens

There are two areas of formal garden: one by the house, the other by the walled garden. The formal lawn to the south of the house is enclosed by a cypress hedge, planted since 1955 to screen off the A85(T). The lawn continues around the east side of the house where it is enclosed by a copper beech hedge. Fine specimen trees stand in each, including Araucaria araucana and Sequoiadendron giganteum which date from the 1870s' planting, and other younger additions. Urns have been sited along the edge of the lawn and a single urn forms the centrepiece of the south lawn. Another area of the formal lawn lies along the south side of the walled garden, enclosed by hedging. Statuary has been placed along its length. Outside the east wall of the walled garden, a water garden has been created by Lady Inchyra.

Walled Garden

The walled garden is a simple rectangular form on plan, sited approximately a quarter of a mile to the west of the house. Concrete buttresses have been added to the outer east wall by Lord & Lady Inchyra, replacing the wooden ones which existed up until 1955. The garden is divided into four equal compartments by box hedging and, until 1955, was maintained as a fruit and vegetable garden. Lord & Lady Inchyra converted the compartments to lawn although the apple trees have been retained in one quarter of the garden. A fine herbaceous border runs along the base of the south side of the north wall, while peaches and other fruit trees cover the wall surface. To the north of the garden is the service road and, beyond it, a terrace on which the glasshouses stand and, adjacent to them, an area which has been put down to vegetables and cut flowers for the house.