Thomson's Tower Duddingston Village

Thomson’s Tower is an historic building in an historic setting. Built as a curling tower, in the grounds of the 12th century Duddingston Kirk, it comprises an, unconnected, upper and lower chambers. The first Ordnance Survey map of 1854 illustrated the group of Kirk, Session House, Curling House and Manse linked by a series of stone walls and paths. The octagonal curling house was the last of these to be built. It is located at the loch side and aligned along a stone wall with the hexagonal session house (architect Robert Brown 1824). The lower chamber opens onto the loch, and was used to store the curling stones of the Curling Society. The upper room, which has spectacular views of the loch, was used for meetings of the Society. The building is named after the Minister of the time, the Rev John Thomson, who was also a well known landscape artist, and used the upper part of the tower as his studio (naming it 'Edinburgh' so that his housekeeper could honestly tell parishioners that he was in Edinburgh, and not available to see them).

The tower is octagonal with a modillioned Doric cornice and blocking course, plinth, string course and window and door margins all in sandstone. Elsewhere the walls are of rubble, which were coated in roughcast. The building is built into the lochside bank so that the upper chamber is approached from the north by a short flight of steps, built against the wall. The entrance to the lower chamber is approached from the west and is only a foot or two above the water – or ice – level of the loch. As the ground floor chamber was used to store curling stones, it may have been open to the elements, having only security bars on the windows. In its renovation, to allow its use as a museum, the windows have been glassed.

When the Dr Neil’s Garden Trust initiated this project the building was a shell with no first floor and no internal finishings. With support from Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland a feasibility study was carried out to renovate the tower, carefully balancing the conservation of the original fabric and restoration and enhancement of the architecture.

The lower chamber of the tower now accommodates Scotland’s only curling museum and includes material which celebrates the work of its architect, William Playfair. The upper chamber has been carefully restored to provide a flexible space for gatherings or exhibitions. Situated in the corner of Dr Neil’s Garden, itself one of the most remarkable gardens in Scotland, and overlooking Duddingston Loch and Bawsinch Nature Reserve, the Tower provides a unique venue which has already been used for private parties, wedding receptions christening receptions, painting and writing workshops, and photographic and art exhibitions. It is open to the public every Sunday afternoon between June and August, during special open weekends in the Garden, and by arrangement. It was included, with great success, in the Open Doors Weekends in August 2009 and 2010. The Tower is cared for by volunteers associated with Dr Neil's Garden Trust.

In keeping with the simplicity of the original building minimum services have been provided. Because of its proximity to the loch there is no water supply to the tower, nor is any waste generated from it. Alterations have been made to the paths in the Garden to make the Tower more accessible.

The renovation of Thomson’s Tower was supported and greatly welcomed by the communities of Duddingston Village and Duddingston Parish – and these communities are justly proud of the completed project. Many attended the official opening when its ribbon was cut in June 2009 by World Champion curler, Robin Aitken. It is a unique building – both in terms of its history, and for the space it now provides – whether it be the more formal museum, or as a backdrop to the annual dramatic presentations which occur in the garden during the Edinburgh Festival. Its views across Duddingston Loch never fail to delight visitors

In its first year of opening the Museum attracted many visitors from home and abroad, although its opening hours are restricted by volunteer numbers. The upper chamber has been used by locals, and visitors alike for a whole range of purposes. The combination of the museum, garden and gathering space provides a unique experience for any event.

Users quotes:

Rev James AP Jack Minister of Duddingston Kirk: "The Thomson Tower has been refurbished to such a high standard that it makes all of the Villagers of Duddingston proud to be associated with it. The Tower now provides a modern amenity within the context of one of the most beautiful landscapes in Edinburgh, if not Scotland. Nicknamed "Edinburgh" by the renowned landscape artist Rev John Thomson, the Tower manages to combine history with a modern social gathering space with a spectacular landscape. The renovation of the ruined Tower was a job worth doing and one that has been done well!"

Stuart Delve for a Writers' Workshop: "We ran a workshop for twelve members of Edinburgh City Council's Economic Development Unit in the Thomson Tower in September 2009. We chose it as it is an aesthetically pleasing place and a very different environment to that of the office! Many of the participants didn't know of the Tower or Dr Neil's Garden and were delighted at the discovery. It's one of Edinburgh's hidden treasures. It worked very well as a venue for a day's workshop, although it was a rainy day and we would have liked to have sent the group into the garden to do an observation exercise. A short walk to the toilet didn't bother people. And no one objected to the slightly longer walk to the Sheep Heid for lunch! "

Robin Orr – local and visitor: The excellent restoration of Thomson’s Tower by the lochside and set in the beautiful surroundings of Dr Neil’s Garden has renewed an important historic feature. There is now a permanent museum of curling on the lower floor and a small octagonal reception area above for exhibitions, with a wonderful view over Duddingston Loch. Well worth a visit!

Dr Neil’s Garden Trust is delighted with the completed building, which considerably enhances the Garden within which it sits. Although very small (seven or eight members), the Trust worked hard on the project researching both the history and location of suitable fittings, and liaising with the architects throughout. This research helped inform the architects, and is reflected in the information panels and audio visual exhibitions within the building. Te Trust is particularly pleased at the interest which the renovation of this building has attracted to the fascinating history of Duddingston Village, Duddingston Kirk, and its Minister, the Rev John Thomson. It has also been particularly pleasing to have been instrumental in recovering such a small gem of the work of architect William Playfair.

Since the Thomson Tower renovation project was completed much effort has gone into developing a list of volunteers so that the building may be opened to the public, and into advertising its availability. Although a fee is charged for entry, the regular Sunday openings on their own are insufficient to maintain the building and, while these will continue, further effort will be given to promote the letting of the space for special events. For example, in the last year Duddingston Village Conservation Society has been grateful to receive some 30 paintings of the loch and the village from the 1850s onwards, almost all of which include an artistic representation of the curling tower. It is hoped that Thomson’s Tower will become the venue for an exhibition of these paintings in the coming year. This would be a unique event bringing together all the communities of interest – artistic, historical, architectural, garden, kirk and village in one celebration of Duddingston’s history.

The project, like the building, is unique, and the Trust have had to make their own way in planning its development. The very elements which make it such an attractive building – its location, its simplicity, its tranquillity, mean that great care is given to how it will be used. The Trust is very pleased that such a range of activities has been accommodated without compromising the Tower or its immediate environment.