Welcome to my regular piece of research, the second of two weekly blogs I publish. The Monday newsletter summarises of all the interesting history and archaeological things happening round Stirling. These are both free but if you like what I do, you can support the expenses of my archaeological digs (no salaries!) by becoming a paid subscriber. Regardless I hope you enjoy the blog and perhaps you’ll come along to a dig sometime!
The view of The Hermitage from the west showing the later tower.
Something new and very different this week….a video I made of our work at The Hermitage in the grounds of Stirling University…an 18th century folly, which is officially defined as a grotto but called by its builders a hermitage! The reason for the confusion is that while this amazing structure draws on then fashionable garden design it is unique and has been ignored for nearly a century so no one has ever formally described it and at present we can’t find any records from the original design. To make my point here’s its official record in its entirety:
The Hermitage is described by the RCAHMS (Canmore ID 47157; NS 80771 97001; Figure 1) as ‘a grotto. Built about 1785. Now in ruins.’ The wider landscape is designated by Historic of Environment Scotland in their Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes (Airthrey Castle GDL00010) which also lays out the development history of the estate. In essence it was established in the 18th century with improvements made in the late 19th century. This document notes the presence of The Hermitage but does not describe it in any detail: ‘The Hermitage is roofless although the walls remain’.
As you will note there is so much more to this wonderful structure…..
The entrance to The Hermitage designed to give the impression of a passage carved from the living rock.
In addition to the video here is also the first draft of my report and Audrey Grant’s the current and amazing artist in residence at the Uni’s blog who accompanied us. The key thing to note is that it was in ruins with a century of its first construction and then appears to have been partially rebuilt to look at the then newly built Wallace Monument! At some point next year I will likely lead a guided walk through the Hermitage Woods and its key structures. You are of course welcome to explore the structure on your own but its a bit of a scramble …so take care.
The main element…a staircase leading to a now lost upper floor which is cut into the rock.
The Hermitage Revealed