east-lothian-1924/05-007

Transcription

EIGHTH REPORT
OF THE
ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE ANCIENT AND
HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, -
We, Your Majesty's Commissioners, appointed to make an Inventory of
the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or
illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation, and conditions of life of
the people in Scotland from the earliest times to the year 1707, and to
specify those which seem most worthy of preservation, humbly present to
Your Majesty this our Eighth Report. In doing so, we must refer with deep
regret to the death of our late colleague Mr. W. T. Oldrieve, F.S.A.Scot.,
F.R.I.B.A., H.R.S.A., formerly Your Majesty's Principal Architect in Scotland,
whose special skill and experience were of great value in our work.
Appended to the Report is a list of the monuments and constructions of
East Lothian, which, in the opinion of Your Commissioners, seem most worthy
of preservation. The list is divided into two groups : (a) those which appear
to be specially in need of protection, and (b) those worthy of preservation
but not in imminent risk of demolition or decay.
Your Commissioners have to express their thanks for the courtesy and
co-operation which they have experienced at the hands of the owners of
historic monuments in the county. They would also thank the Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland for the use of illustrations and other facilities.
The present Inventory is of monuments in East Lothian or Haddington-
shire, where the land has long been highly cultivated. It may therefore be
assumed that many structures, especially of the earthwork class, have been
obliterated ; indeed, in some instances, there is direct evidence that this has
been the case. Nevertheless examples of an impressive and significant character
remain. Early ecclesiastical buildings are not numerous, but of such as have
survived, several are in a satisfactory state of preservation. The castellated
structures are of particular interest, including examples which in part at least
are of the earliest period, while several others have been incorporated in
more modern buildings and are still in use. A number of houses of early
domestic type have also been in continuous occupation down to the present
time.

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