Scotsman Steps

Conservation of stonework and design improvements to an important Public route

1. Survey-North Elevation
2. Survey-Detail North Elevation
3. Survey-Wet Steps
4. Survey-Internal Vandalism
5. RCAHMS-Construction-North Elevation
6. RCAHMS-Construction-Elevations
7. RCAHMS-Construction-Sections
8. RCAHMS-Construction-North Bridge Level-Plan
9. Completion-North General View
10. Completion-North Elevation
11. Completion-North Elevation-Stone Repair
12. Completion-Stone Repair
13. Completion-North Bridge Level
14. Completion-Top Gate
15. Completion-Marble clad top flight
16. Completion-Stair Flight
17. Completion-Stair Flights
18. Completion-Refurbished Grille
19. Refurbished Doorway
20. Completion-Market Street Entrance and New Gate

 

CONSULTANCY ROLE

IPA was involved in the conservation project as consultant, Accredited Conservation Architect, to principal Architect, MacGregor Bowes  url: www.mcgregorbowes.com

SCHEME DESCRIPTION

The Scotsman Steps were built between 1899 and 1902 (architects James Dunn and James Finlay) as part of the construction of the Scotsman buildings,see images 5,6,7,8.  The  Steps are an important part of Edinburgh’s cityscape and link the Old and New Towns. After 100 years, the  Steps had become dilapidated. Damp and decay, combined with poor lighting and security, lead to it being seen as a threatening environment, avoided by the general public. Edinburgh World Heritage and Edinburgh City Council recognised the problems and put in place a programme of renovation to restore the steps and reclaim them as a safe public thoroughfare that could be enjoyed by all.

Conservation

As part of the original Conservation Statement, prior to the design team’s appointment, background information on the materials of the building was assimilated by obtaining reports from British Geological Survey (BGS), Scottish Lime Centre and Charles Darley and Associates. The historical, aesthetic and social significance of the structure was also researched. Some of this research included material from the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments (RCAHMS).

Repairs were limited to the minimum necessary to secure the fabric. Only stone that was either dangerous or life expired was replaced. Any materials that were replaced used the same materials or, where these were not available, the best available matching materials. New gates were designed, manufactured and installed by local tradesmen. The brief was; “New gates are to be designed for the top and bottom of the steps, suggestively to the design of Dunn and Finlay’s other wrought iron detailing.”  A new light installation was carried out by City of Edinburgh Council.

The conservation works included structural repairs (including stapling cope stones together with stainless steel cramps and repairs to landings), masonry repairs, new Leadwork to cornices, repairs and painting of iron grilles, cleaning of glazed bricks, installation of new iron gates and handrail and reglazing of interior windows with an opaque toughened glass.

Artwork

As part of this restoration programme, Edinburgh World Heritage encouraged a local arts organisation to work with a contemporary artist on a semi-permanent arts installation for the Scotsman Steps and the local Fruitmarket Gallery suggested commissioning Scottish artist Martin Creed. Martin Creed’s response to this commission is a work titled ‘No.1059’.

The use of marble to clad the steps has helped to transform  the Public route.

DETAILS

Client: City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh World Heritage

Listing:  The Steps were Category A-listed in 1974

Location: Connecting Market Street and Waverley Station with North Bridge, Edinburgh

Started  on site:  September 2010

Completion:  June 2011

Main Contractor:  Forth Stone

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Designed and hosted by Lunaria, Edinburgh