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The Cascade
One of the main tasks for the Gardens Team in recent years was to clear and tidy the historic Cascade, which had become grossly overgrown with vegetation over the years.
Originally visible from the 'High Terrace' and on the Castle's central axis, the remains of the Cascade could barely be seen. In order to improve visibity from the Castle and Gardens, the first work carried out was to mark and fell the mostly self-seeded Birch, Hazel and Willow which obscured the view on to the bottom of the Cascade from the side of the Marrburn. This area at one time formed part of the canal which fed the Cascade, but which, due to the constant silting up caused by frequent flooding, was abandoned by the 1830s.
Brambles, scrub and tree sappling from the different levels of the Cascade were then cleared. It was while carrying out this work that the original path leading to the top of the Cascade, was uncovered. This was then cleared of trees and debris bringing it back to its original level.
The Estate Forestry team felled some of the larger trees which were damaging the original structure of the Cascade and limbed any of the higher branches that were obstructing the outline. With this work complete, a greater visual outline can now be seen, resurrecting what was once a grand and imposing feature of Drumlanrig Gardens.
The top of the Cascade is now accessible with care. Looking out over the Marrburn, it is possible to imagine the sheer size and scale this magnificent Cascade would once have been.
There is no firm date for the construction of the Cascade although there is reference to the 'Caskade' in the late 17th Century and it is illustrated on all 18th Century plans. The 18th Century drawing shows water tumbling down the Cascade into a canalised Marr Burn and a broad swathe cut through the woodland to define the former water course.
The zig-zag path on the east side and the cistern (also known as a grotto) were shown on 1738/39 plans and still survive but sadly the hewn stonework has been lost or reused elsewhere. The water feature seems to have been troublesome from the beginning. Indeed, it was cursed. The canal basin proved difficult to maintain against flooding and the vagaries of the Marr Burn.
Attempts were made in the 1730s and 1740s to first broaden it and then to improve the water supply from an amazing 3.2km (2 mile) long aqueduct which fed it from the upper reaches of the Marr Burn. The aqueduct is still traceable in the policy woodland. The Cascade went into decline at the end of the 18th Century and the lines of the canal basin became informalised to an irregular pond or 'lake'. By 1830 the canal formed by the channelling of the Marr Burn had assumed its natural course.