Assessment of the survival of historic window glass at Newhailes, Edinburgh, using portable x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

Window glass at Newhailes, a neo-Palladian villa located in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, Scotland, was analysed using portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectroscopy. The elemental compositions of 512 panes of glass were collected and analysed. Twelve glass types were observed, falling into two main groups: plant-ash fluxed glass which can be dated from before c1835, and synthetic soda glass which dates after this time.⁽¹⁾ Of the glass panes analysed, only 134 panes remain which date from pre-1835. The majority of these panes of glass are located on the uppermost floor of the building, indicating that the lower two floors have had a higher rate of replacement. This can be partially explained through the unrestricted public access to the exterior of the building, leading to higher than anticipated levels of mechanical damage and/or vandalism. The balance of accessibility and conservation of built heritage with particular reference to window glass is discussed.