MCG&RA
Magdala Crescent Gardens and Residents Association
Tree Report 2022
Below are details of the latest Tree Report for Magdala Gardens along with a map of where the tree numbers are physically located in the gardens.
Joining The Gardens
Owners
Owners of properties in Magdala Crescent have an automatic right to a key and an obligation to pay the annual maintenance fee. This obligation is documented (in legal speak!) in the title deeds.
Tenants in Magdala Crescent
It is a matter for agreement between the owner/landlord and the tenant as to whether the tenant should be allowed to use the gardens although normally the tenant would be allowed access.
Non Proprietors
We welcome people who live adjacent to Magdala Crescent to apply and become external key holders. There is £100 deposit for the key for non proprietors only.
Applicants are asked to make it clear whether or not it is their intention to walk a dog in the gardens as we currently have separate waiting lists for dog and non dog owners. There is a long wait time for availability on both lists, currently in the region of 12-18 months.
Next Steps
Please head to our contact page to request this or if you'd like to discuss this further on the phone, please email us initially and we will provide you with a contact number.
Garden Matters
History of the Crescent and Gardens
Building of Magdala Crescent
The gardens, owned by the proprietors of properties in Magdala Crescent, are situated on the west side of Magdala Crescent. They form part of the residential development commenced in 1868 and masterminded on behalf of the Governors of George Heriot's School by the architect John Chesser.
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John Chesser was the Superintendent of Works to George Heriot's Hospital between 1858 and 1889. During his term of office large areas of Heriot's land were sold off for residential use, including land in the West of Edinburgh.
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The gardens were laid out in accordance with a plan prepared by John Chesser and are located immediately to the east of the imposing Donaldson's Hospital designed by William Henry Playfair as a hospital for deaf children and now converted into flats.
Donaldson's took eight years to complete and was opened by Queen Victoria in 1850 who famously commented that it was more impressive than many of her royal palaces.
How the Crescent got its name
Magdala Crescent was named after the victory of British tro0ps in the year 1868 over Abyssininan forces at the Battle of Magdala which took place to the east of Addis Ababa, the present capital of Ethiopia.
