New Palm House, Royal Botanic Garden: front elevation and plan, December 1854

The tallest traditional palm house in Britain, at a height of 72 feet (21.95 metres), was designed by Robert Matheson, a Scottish architect, in his role at Her Majesty’s Office of Works, Edinburgh. It was completed in 1858 at a total cost of £6,000 (estimated to be the equivalent of around £355,000 today). This ink and watercolour illustration, signed by Matheson in December 1854, depicts the recognisable masonry, slender windows and ironwork roof. Matheson was also responsible for the design of New Register House which holds Scotland’s birth, death, marriage and census records.  

Credit: Crown copyright, NRS, RHP6521/19 (Link to the Online Catalogue entry)