(Former) Bishop's Palace, Eden Court, Bishops Road, Inverness. Designed by Alexander Ross (1834-1925), and built 1875-78 for Bishop Robert Eden, in gratitude for his services to the founding of the neighbouring Inverness Cathedral, and his ministration to the Cathedral and diocese. The Gazetteer for Scotland tells us that this Category B listed building cost about £6000 — even though the Bishop paid for its private bow-ended chapel at the back (now designated "the green room") from his own pocket. John Gifford describes it as "a large villa of purplish granite" (194): it seems very large for a one-family home, but then the Gazetteer tells us that Bishop Eden had ten children. The house continued to be used by subsequent bishops until the 1940s, but has now been incorporated into the Eden Court Theatre complex. With its substantial presence, gables, large chimney-stacks, and ecclesiastical Gothic Revival detailing (even a rose window), it makes an interesting contrast to its new modernistic setting of concrete, glass and wood, to which it is now attached (see picture below right, and listing text).
Photographs and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee. [You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL or cite the Victorian Web in a print document. Click on the images to enlarge them.]
Related Material
Bibliography
"Alexander Ross." DSA (Dictionary of Scottish Architects). Web. 15 December 2017.
"Bishop's Palace (Eden Court)." Gazetteer for Scotland. Web. 20 December 2017.
Gifford, John. Highland and Islands. The Buildings of Scotland. London: Penguin, 1992.
"Inverness, Ness Walk, Eden Court, Bishop's Palace." British Listed Buildings. Web. 21 December 2017.
Created 20 December 2017