Obsolescence in the Scottish country house and conservation of the architectural fabric by conversion to tourist accommodation: identification of the key variables affecting the decision process.

Robertson, Gillian M.

Abstract

The thesis presented in this study is that many country houses in Scotland have found a viable new use in conversion as tourist accommodation to the advantage of both tourism and conservation. The research project aimed to discover the truth of this statement. It investigated the factors involved in the obsolescence of country houses in single domestic use and enumerated the total number of country houses in Scotland to discover the proportion of losses and the regional distribution of the houses. (This was a new survey because the Historic Buildings Division of the SDD has not had the available resources to establish a typology of buildings listed as having historic or architectural interest). Using the methodology of a telephone and postal survey the extent of the conversion of country houses in Scotland into tourist accommodation was assessed to discover whether it was a major alternative use for houses affected by obsolescence in single domestic use. The importance of converted country houses to the total stock of tourist accommodation was assessed by a survey of all hotel buildings in the countryside. A literature search investigated the importance of tourism as a phenomenon, with particular reference to its economic and social impact. A survey of owners who have converted country houses into hotels was undertaken to discover: the motivation in their decision to convert a country house; the organisation and viability of their business; etc. The aim of this investigation was to model the decision-making process by identification of the key variables involved in their decision. An assessment of the impact of conversion on the architectural fabric of the houses was also made because it was considered that although economically and socially viable a use is not "successful" unless it conserves the building for future generations.

Citation

ROBERTSON, G.M. 1986. Obsolescence in the Scottish country house and conservation of the architectural fabric by conversion to tourist accommodation: identification of the key variables affecting the decision process. Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology, MPhil thesis. Hosted on OpenAIR [online]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-1993248

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 31, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 31, 2024
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-1993248
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1993248
• Award Date: Nov 30, 1986