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© Lennoxlove House Ltd |
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Hamilton Palace stood at the hub of an extensive
formal garden landscape which had a great north-south avenue as
its main axis. Probably originating in the late 17th century, the
scheme was first clearly embodied in this garden layout drawn up
in 1708 by Alexander Edward, architect (1651-1708), whose design
may well have been influenced by other great formal gardens, including
those of Versailles and Marly, with which he was familiar.
This large drawing, dated 31 August 1708, less
than three months before Edward's death in November, is entitled
'A map with some alterations and additions to the walks, courts,
avenues, plantations and inclosures of Hamilton', suggesting perhaps
that it may have been partly based on an existing layout. The plan
and the key show what was then a novel concern for open views across
the surrounding countryside, many of the vistas terminating in distant
buildings or natural features. In addition to the great avenue,
the plan also shows a complex of hunting rides and avenues in the
woodlands to the north-west (top left) and south-west (bottom left)
of the estate, arranged radially around star-shaped 'etoiles'. In
the immediate vicinity of the palace there is an elaborate pattern
of plantations, orchards and gardens, including two large parterres
(ornamental gardens) on the north side of the building.
Edward's layout formed the framework for later
developments by his successors, most notably by William Adam (1689-1748),
who introduced Châtelherault hunting lodge at an elevated point
in the south avenue in the High Parks. To the north, it commanded
a broad vista across the formal landscape of the Low Parks and,
to the west, overlooked the wild forest of Cadzow around the gorge
of the Avon Water.
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