Light & Dark at Haddo House

Function, stories and space

We thought carefully about what each space was designed or used for, and what story we wanted to tell. Many of the Trust’s rooms at our historical places are no longer used for their designed purpose, and so the lighting has also been adapted.

Visitors were guided around the house on a route that followed the progression of sun around the building. The tour began in the brighter rooms, such as the morning room, and then progressed to rooms that would have been lit after dark, such as the dining room and the bedrooms.

If the room was used during the day, we decided to reinforce that connection with the outside and sunlight. To increase the feeling of light, we placed glass objects, vases with flowers or mirrors close to the window.

In the bedroom, we took the simple step of closing the curtains! By reducing the amount of light and only switching on bedside lights, the room took on a completely different feel.

Again, in the dining room, we closed the curtains since this was a room that was predominately used in the evening. The space became darker and more intimate. Silverware and glassware came alive and sparkled when we introduced bright flickering imitation candles, to recreate the sense of a dark candle-lit dining room.

Focus, animation and contrast

Modern electric light sources have been designed to produce a very stable, even light, but the effect produced is very different to the light that would have been produced by candles, fires, oil and gas lamps. Light would have been far more dynamic with moving flames, and the areas of darkness and light throughout a room would have been varied.

We tried to recreate the feel of the fireplace with a fire-effect lamp, positioned in the grate with reflective foil beneath to increase the light output. We then added ceramic fake coals over the lamps to disguise them and create a realistic visual effect.

Another method to bring a room alive is to highlight specific collection objects or areas. We used visually discreet LED micro spotlights to pick out individual objects and paintings. These micro spots are portable, so they could be easily repositioned to illuminate new objects that a curator may want to highlight.

Intensity and colour temperature

The intensity and in particular the colour temperature of light can also give an indication of the historical period of the lighting and the function of the room.

Colour temperature of light sources is measured in Kelvins, with around 3,000 Kelvin being a warm light (similar to an incandescent lamp) and around 6,000 Kelvin being a cool cold light (similar to bright daylight). Over time, lamps or light bulbs are often replaced with mismatching colour temperature lamps or inappropriately cool white light. A warmer white (low Kelvin) light will make a space feel more cosy and inviting; a cool white (higher Kelvin) light will make a space feel more functional, fresh but colder.

Earlier lighting, such as candles, oil lighting and tungsten filament lighting, are all warmer light around the region of 2,000–2,500 Kelvin. These light levels would have made interiors far darker than we expect today, but the colour temperature would have made them feel far warmer. To re-create the effect of early gas lighting or flame, we used flame-effect LED light bulbs in the chandeliers.

Lighting technologies to replicate candles and flame are fast developing and the quality of the effects are getting better, so we’ll keep looking out for new options as they appear.

The idea behind the Experiencing Collections project was to develop, produce and, importantly, to test new techniques and interventions that could inspire and engage our visitors.

The National Trust for Scotland exists to protect everything that makes this country so special – our history, culture, landscapes, wildlife and our people. Now, more than ever, it’s important we all care for the things that really matter. We’re working hard to share new stories and perspectives on Scotland’s heritage, and we need your help so we can continue this important work for generations to come.