26 October 2006

International conference on Scotland's forgotten architecture

Scotland’s architectural culture in the century before the Union is to be examined at The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland’s 2006 National Conference, "Recovering the ‘Decent Pleasures of Heart and Mind’: Placing the forgotten architectural culture of 17th century Scotland in its European context."

The conference - at the University of Dundee on November 10th and 11th - brings together leading researchers from across Europe to examine the architectural culture of Scotland’s Renaissance.

Such has been the transformation in the understanding of Scottish renaissance architecture over the last decade that much of the previous interpretation of this Country’s architectural history has been superseded.

"We are seeing Scottish Renaissance architecture being reconnected to the European mainstream at long last, and the results are proving extremely exciting," said Charles McKean, Professor of Scottish Architectural History at the University of Dundee and co-organiser of the event.

"Towns, urban monuments, furnishings, decoration, gardens and policies, methods of construction, materials, patronage and - above all - the different ranks of country seat are all being re-examined to recover the culture of Stewart Scotland".

The conference programme will be of interest to everyone from armchair history enthusiasts to heritage professionals and academics. On the morning of Friday 10th November, there will be a visit to Gardyne’s Land, the historic property of the period in central Dundee. After taking a short break for lunch (not provided), the conference will resume at Dundee University for an afternoon of illustrated talks.

Saturday 11th November comprises a full day of illustrated talks, with a light luncheon and refreshments provided.

Speakers include: Monique Chatenet (Androuet du Cerceau and his influence), Konrad Ottenheym (the Dutch influence in the British Isles in the late 17th century), Michael Bath (painted ceilings), Charles McKean (the cult of Mary Queen of Scots), Ian Campbell (sources of inspiration for changing architectural tastes), Margaret Stewart (Earl of Mar), John Lowrie (economic Palladianism), James Simpson (how country houses altered their circulation) and Tom Addyman (discoveries from recent building investigations).

The programme also includes emerging postgraduate research on: the timber trade, the Bel houses of north-east Scotland, the House of Kellie, William Bruce and his circle, and the elusive architect William Schaw.

The conference takes place on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th November at the University of Dundee. Tickets cost £30 for AHSS members (£40 for non-members and £20 for full-time students) for two days or £20 for a single day and are available to purchase from AHSS (Telephone 0131 557 0019 or email: nationaloffice@ahss.org.uk)

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Please contact the AHSS on 0131 557 0019 or by e-mail nationaloffice@ahss.org.uk for further information.

Attached are an electronic copy of the booking form, plus an illustration for use if desired to promote the conference.

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) is an independent membership-based charity. The society’s dual roles, of enhancing understanding of the built environment across the spectrum of Scottish society and promoting conscientious care for the heritage, that is ‘study and protection’, have remained at the core of the Society’s work and aspirations since its foundation. Since its institution in the late 1950s AHSS has been at the forefront of campaigns and educational work supporting the protection of Scotland’s existing and future built heritage. A charity registered in Scotland (SC REG: 007554).

Professor Charles McKean, History Department, University of Dundee.
Before joining the Department as Professor of Scottish Architectural History, Professor McKean was Chief Executive to the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Current research varies from Scottish culture during the Renaissance, to a re-examination of the 'British' agenda of the New Town of Edinburgh, to the construction of the Tay and Forth Railway Bridges and the impact of railways. Research interests focus upon the symbolic/representative/political role of architecture from Scottish Renaissance country seats and their gardens to a re-evaluation of the new Scottish Parliament building. Central to these studies is the extent to which Scottish architecture or construction became 'British.'

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk