Culture and Leisure

Calton Hill: Conserving a Cultural Asset

Calton Hill's semi-natural wilderness in the middle of the city is an asset. For some people, it's a public park, for others a landmark … even a focus of architectural, academic and artistic endeavour; a place of science. Whether you see it as a viewing point or a place of remembrance, contemplation or inspiration, there is no doubt that its topography, architecture and association with the Enlightenment, Calton Hill is a potent symbol of national identity.

This complex interaction of physical and cultural factors creates a sublime sense of place, justifiably compared with the Acropolis of ancient Greece. There is no doubt that It's future must be carefully planned.

Between November 1998 and April 1999, a Conservation Plan was developed by LDN Architects on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. The research and survey work demonstrates that Calton Hill, its buildings, monuments, burial grounds and landscape is a Scottish cultural asset of international importance which should be cared for and promoted as such. Calton Hill derives its exceptional cultural significance from a number of different sources, all of which help us to understand the past, enrich the present, and which will be of value to future generations.

The plan concluded that Calton Hill's physical condition does not reflect its importance. It is in decline and serious issues need to be addressed now if its future is to be safeguarded including:

the protection and enhancement of the hill's cultural significance through the development and implementation of a long-term sustainable integrated Buildings, Monuments, Collections, and Landscape Management Plan

the development and implementation of an Interpretative Plan

the identification of compatible uses for its unused buildings in order to secure their future. The strengthening of pedestrian links with the surrounding city

the development of appropriate visitor facilities and access.

Sympathetic change, reflecting the needs and aspirations of our time, is possible but it must be in the context of protecting, enhancing and revealing Calton Hill's significance.

You can download the report in PDF format here. As the documents include maps, photographs and illustrations, they are large. You may the PDF works best if you save the PDF file onto your hard disk (click once on the link with the right button on your mouse and 'save target as …').

Download Calton Hill Report

Download Appendix 1: Archival Research

Download Appendix 2: Workshops and Meetings

Download Appendix 3: Landscape Gazetteer

Download Appendix 4: Ecological Gazetteer

Download Appendix 5: Archaeological Gazetteer

Download Appendix 6: GPS Survey

Download Appendix 7: Architectural Gazetteer

Download Appendix 8: Scientific Instruments

Download Appendix 9: Access Audit

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these - you can get this free from the Adobe website.

What happens next?

We are preparing a management plan for Calton Hill and a progress report will be put to the Scrutiny Panel on 1 March.

More Information

If you would like more information on the Calton Hill Project, please contact Derek Janes, Acting Head of Heritage and Arts, Recreation Department, 23-25 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3BH, Email: derek.janes@edinburgh.gov.uk.