Recording the Stable Block at Newhailes, East Lothian

AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by the National Trust for Scotland to undertake a measured survey and historic building survey of Newhailes Stables, part of the Newhailes Estate in Musselburgh, East Lothian.

Newhailes Stables was constructed in the late 1790s, replacing a previous stable block dating to the earlier 18th century. It was initially built consisting of a north-east and south-east wing, although gradually expanded to the south-west side to eventually become an enclosed courtyard structure with a pend entrance to the south-east elevation with another smaller entrance between the buildings to the south-west. Today, the north-east wing has been converted for both public use and for offices for the NTS staff, the remainder used as store rooms and gardener’s stores. One of the wings to the north-west of the complex has also been converted into a modern dwelling. Many of the original fixtures and fittings of the stables still exist, including horse stalls with trevisses and hay racks still in situ, as well as tether rings and the original stone-flagged flooring. However, some areas – most notably the store rooms to the south-west side – have been modified with inserted doorways into the partition walls and replacement concrete floors.

AOC’s survey provided a unique look at the detail of the features, fixtures and fittings of this 18th-19th century stable block and identified a preliminary phasing for the development of the complex. It also provided the opportunity to create a full measured survey of the complex, comprising a full external and internal elevation survey and floor plans and sections.