Descriptive Buildings Record (Level 2) at Abbotsford House Stables

A full digital photographic survey of the Stables Court was undertaken. Recording was carried out before, during and after the clearance work, where areas could be safely accessed. The exterior elevations and the interiors were all photographed, as were architectural details, wall surfaces and other significant individual features and details. A full photographic register has been compiled - Appendix B. The site was surveyed by hand. Plans and elevations were drawn at a scale of 1:50. A measured drawing of an unstable chimneystack, which was removed, was completed at a scale of 1:20. A general ground plan of the complex was drawn; safety issues precluded planning at upper levels. The majority of the main exterior walls, together with the more significant historic interiors, were recorded. Within the constraints of the project it was not possible to fully survey all areas - thus the court-facing exterior walls were not drawn as planned; rather resources were redirected at recording more of the interior spaces. Elevations and sections were recorded by offsets taken from level lines. The hand-drawn field drawings were scanned, mounted and reproduced as a principal output of the project, and accompany this report. The following report comprises of a review of available historical source material, section 2, and a general written description of the buildings which form the Stable Court, section 3. The buildings as they stand have been described in three main phases; the initial period of construction in the early 19th century, subsequent later 19th and early 20th century remodelling, and a series of mid-later 20th century additions and alterations. The resources allocated for the project did not allow a full context-by-context description, or a more detailed written account. In November 2021 additional recording was undertaken in areas where safe access was not possible at the time of the initial survey. The plan was completed to include the cottage and several exterior elevation were drawn to complete the survey of the exterior of the complex. Due to the scope of the works and material stored within the courtyard the interior courtyard elevations were not drawn. Addyman Archaeology undertook Historic Building Recording at Abbotsford Stables, Abbotsford Estate Melrose as part of a programme of clearance and stabilization of the buildings in 2010. The site is included with the general listing for Abbotsford Estate and is therefore a category A listed building. This report is a revised and updated version of that produced following the initial phase of work in 2010. It has been produced in support of a feasibility study to inform the future of the Stables. The initial recording included a photographic record of the building before, during and after clearance. Where access was possible a drawn survey of selected elevations were produced together with a plan of the buildings. Additional elevations were drawn during the current phase of work and the plan was updated as additional areas could be safely accessed. Limited Historical research was also undertaken as part of the 2010 works. The historical research and on site recording identified four main phases of development within the Stables. The Stables were built between 1816 and 1820 with major addition in the late 19th century. It is possible that some interior alterations were carried out in the late 19th century though at present it is not possible to distinguish these from those carried out in the early 20th century. The final phase in the mid 20th century saw major changes to all of the buildings. The site was used by the military from 1939 onwards which resulted in major rebuilding and alteration. Many of the WWII era buildings were demolished as part of the clearance in 2010. This resulted in The Stables being restored to its 19th century layout.