28 C O N T E X T 1 3 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 Saturday tours It survives until today thanks to the quick-witted early conservationists who started to describe it as John Knox’s House.There is no evidence that the great protestant reformer was anything more than vaguely aware of the building’s existence, but the mere association of his name was enough to ensure its preservation. Successful conservation is clearly the art of winning hearts and minds. Ian Lund Edinburgh New Town We arrived at The Mound, a formal open space sandwiched between the Princess Street and the Old Town to sunshine and the strains of a lone piper; a perfect start to our morning. Not so romantic, however, when our guide Deborah Mays, CEO at the Heritage Place and wife of our institute director, had to battle to be heard against those bagpipes. By the 18th century the Old Town was extremely overcrowded. In 1762 the Improvement Commission approved the draining of the Nor’ Loch. In 1766 it selected James Craig’s scheme for their New Town having ‘broad streets, order and regularity’ (the antithesis of the old town). The New Town was constructed between 1767 and 1890 in seven phases, each called New Towns; we only visited three on this tour. It is The old burgh of Canongate Thirteen delegates opted for this walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town. The group was led by Simon Green of RCAHMS, one of the organisations likely to be merged into Historic Environment Scotland. This was a fascinating entree to the architectural history and conservation of this part of the Old Town. Historically Canongate, which connects the High Street to Holyrood Palace, was a separate administrative area from the upper part of the Royal Mile. It sometimes had a turbulent relationship with its neighbour due mainly to a long running battle over the exact boundary line until unification in 1856. Canongate’s character has always been more domestic than the adjoining commercial High Street, which had always been a part of Edinburgh proper. Our guide led us through the myriad wynds and closes connect to the backs of Canongate. Occasionally the medieval scale and grain gave way to squares formed by Renaissance architecture, reflecting the importance of the quarter to the Scottish Enlightenment. Despite changing times, the area seems more or less indestructible. Many historic buildings are finding new uses: tapestry studios, a design centre, a storytelling centre, and various affordable housing schemes are a few of the newcomers breathing life into the ancient quarter. There remain, however, as many former medical operating theatres, veterinary vivisection chambers, mortuaries and abattoirs as you could shake a stick at. It was interesting to hear the semi-independent opinion of the various recent planning and conservation battles. The understanding by delegates of this enduring urban landscape was greatly enhanced in the short time available. Indeed, towards the end of the tour the answer to the big question gradually emerged. The jettied 15th-century building that projects in front of the building line that was being established in High Street during the 19th century was scheduled for demolition. Simon Green with delegates in the Old Town The Royal Scottish Academy (Photo: Ad Meskens)
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