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BCD Special Report
Historic Gardens 2010
45
Conservation
In 1992 Historic Scotland designated
the fernery a category B listed building,
describing it as ‘a rare structure and
important as an integral part of the gardens
at Benmore’. Listing the building proved
to be a great stimulus for generating
interest in the surviving features, and
its restoration was championed by the
Friends of Benmore and, in particular, by
the Younger (Benmore) Trust. Established
by HG Younger in 1930, the trust covered
the running costs of the garden and is now
used to support projects within the garden.
The trust was keen to see the fernery kept
and accordingly commissioned a feasibility
study by MAST Architects of Glasgow.
The detailed research required for the
feasibility study revealed how the building
had been constructed. The thick walls, tall
gables, and lean-to boiler house appeared
relatively unscathed. Much of the internal
design was still evident even after 100
years of decay, although the vault over the
entrance had been demolished and details
of its construction were sparse. There
were remnants of the staircases on either
side of the porch, the grotto and pool had
survived, and there was evidence of the
upper staircases that led above the grotto.
A few of the iron hoops that supported
the original roof were also still in place.
A meeting on site between the architect,
Michael Thornley, and Historic Scotland
was critical to establishing whether any form
of restoration was feasible. To reconstruct
the glazed roof to the original design using
the rather insubstantial iron hoops and
conventional wooden supports would have
created enormous problems for long term
maintenance. However, as there was nothing
left to indicate how the ridge-lantern had
been constructed, nor how the structure was
ventilated, its restoration would have been
largely conjectural. It was therefore decided
to put forward proposals for an entirely
new glazed barrel vaulted roof constructed
with modern materials. Historic Scotland
concurred, opening the way forward for the
conservation of the surviving features under
new glazing; but there was still the matter
of funding the project. This was achieved
with the support of significant donations
by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Younger
(Benmore) Trust, the RBGE Members’
Appeal and many private donations.
Restoration work started in May
2008. The site was secured and plant and
facilities were brought in, including a crane
to raise equipment from the work base at
the bottom of the gully to the level of the
fernery. The first task was to restore the
walls. Scaffolding was constructed inside
and out so that every area of wall could
be cleared of vegetation and re-pointed.
The upper walls and especially the upper
gable ends needed particular attention.
Significant elements had to be taken down
and rebuilt. Regular meetings between the
contractors, the architect and RBGE staff
ensured that the challenges of reconstruction
work were overcome. Despite heavy rain
Work in progress (Photo: MAST Architects)
The imposing exterior of the finished fernery (Photo: Lynsey Wilson; RBGE)