Latest News
Scottish Lime Centre Director Endorsed by RICS
20 December 2011
Here at SLCT we are excited to announce that our Director, Roz Artis-Young has recently become an elected professional member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
To read more about Roz's achievement and SLCT's latest news Click here to download our latest newsletter (2.5MB).Flexible Funding for Training
8 November 2011
Skills Development Scotland still have funding available to support Flexible Training Opportunities for employees and freelancers. This new funding recognises that enhancing employees' skills will bring real benefits to your business including improved productivity and a stronger more confident workforce. The Flexible Training Opportunities programme gives Scottish businesses with 50 or less employees the opportunity to apply for up to £500 towards employee training costs.
Funding is available for up to 10 employees per business and the money is not a loan so there's no need to pay it back. Skills Development Scotland will refund up to 50% of each episode of employee training up to a maximum of £500. For example, if an episode of training costs £1200, they will refund £500. If it costs £300, the refund will be £150.
The types and levels of training that are eligible for support are wide ranging and include:
• Qualifications including individual units
• Masterclasses
• Learning based on National Occupational Standards
• Industry recognised qualifications
• First line supervisory management
• Workshops
• Taster sessions
Here at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust we think this funding presents a fantastic, not to be missed, opportunity for many of our clients to access the training courses that we offer. You can apply for funding to attend any of the courses within our current training calendar or we would be happy to discuss bespoke training at a date and location to suit you or your team. We can also offer guidance to anyone who would like help to decide on the right training for themselves or staff and we are also happy to guide you through the application process. This funding is available on a 'first come, first served' basis until June 2012 so don't delay! For further information about this funding stream and details of how to apply please click here or contact any of the team here at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust.
Free Fun Events for Sept
16 August 2011
We have a range of fantastic free events this September for those who would like to find out more about the Scottish Lime Centre Trust or visit the Penicuik House Project.
As part of this years Penicuik Arts Festival crafters will be transforming the training centre for a craft fair and demonstrations of a range of crafts including weaving, spinning, felting and knitting. Arran Johnston will also be giving an illustrated lecture on the Prestonpans Tapestries and musical Interludes will be provided by Jon Redpath with his Hurdy Gurdy! The craft fair is being held on Sunday 04 September from 11am - 4pm and this free event is a fun day out for all of the family. To find out more about the other activties happening as part of the Penicuik Arts Festival click here.
On Tuesday 06 Sept our project archaeologist Jenni Morrison will be offering the chance to tour the ruin and learn about the techniques used in building archaeology and how these can help us to better understand old buildings. Further details can be found on the training and events section of this site, places are limited so do contact us or book a place online.
Saturday 10 September 2011 will see Penicuik House open to visitors as of the European wide Doors Open Day scheme. This event has proved popular with visitors over the years with a chance to visit the new training centre that has been created within the ruin of Penicuik House and find out how building work to the ruin has been progressing.
There will be activties throughout the day for all ages with demonstrations of traditional building techniques and children's craft activties. Tours of Penicuik House and the surroundings will also take place at 11.30am and 1.30pm.
For further information about Doors Open Day events in the Midlothian area please click here.
Finally we will be opening the doors of our headquarters Charlestown Workshops as part of West Fife's Doors Open Day events on 18 September. Come along and find out about the essentail work of the Scottish Lime Centre Trust to encourage the repiar and maintenance of traditional buildings. You can take the chance to speak with our traditional building experts if you have a building repair project and we will have kids craft activities and lots to see and do. Walking tours of the local area starting from Charlestown Workshops (12.00pm and 2.00pm) will explore the fascinating history of the area. You will be guided around the village by knowledgeable local historians, telling the amazing story of Charlestown and the lime burning industry that was based here. Includes a visit to the historic kilns at the harbour, which are listed as an ancient monument. For further details please contact us or visit http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays/area_programmes.aspx?Page=1&areaid=13.
Bruce Festival 2011
15 August 2011
SLCT will again be attending the Bruce Festival's medieval village event held Pittencrieff Park, Saturday & Sunday 27th & 28th August @ 12pm-4pm each day. This year’s event is bigger and better than ever, the world of medieval Scotland will spring to life with a thrilling equestrian show, arts and crafts, battle re-enactments, music, story telling workshops and a food village bursting with the finest local produce.
SLCT will be demonstrating traditional building skills with the chance for visitors to try some of the techniques on show. Anyone with an older building can also speak with SLCT's experts for advice on repair and maintenance and we will have lots of information for visitors to take home with them. Our stand will also include kids craft activities so we will have something of interest for visitors of all ages!
For 2011 the Bruce Festival has a weeklong diary of events happening in Dunfermline including historical lectures, concerts in Dunfermline Abbey, a medieval banquet and exciting live open air theatre events for all ages. For further information and details please click here to visit the Visit Dunfermline website
Leith Festival Gala Day
13 June 2011
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust were at Leith Festival Gala Day this year with a stall giving demonstrations of traditional building techniques and providing advice for homeowners to help them repair and maintain their property.
Despite the wet weather visitors to SLCT's stall were able to watch SLCT's Training Co-ordinator, Scott McAskill demonstrating traditional plastering techniques. SLCT's decorative stone carving tutor, Andy McFetters, who is based in Leith, brought along beautiful examples of his work and gave the public the chance to try out letter cutting.
SLCT were invited to demonstrate at Leith Gala Day this year as part of the Leith Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme (THI) currently running in the area. Leith THI has seen key buildings within the area restored including the Citadel Youth Centre on Commercial Street, housed in the former North Leith Station, a Grade B listed building. The Leith THI has also aimed to help towarsd the regeneration of Leith with public realm improvements being undertaken around the Kirkgate to the Shore. You can click here to find out more about the Leith THI.
Leith Gala Day is the official opening of the Leith Festival which has a wide range of events running at several different venues in the area. A full programme of events can be found by clicking here.
Newsflash! You won't want to miss our CPD Seminars
1 June 2011
At the Scottish Lime Centre Trust we are committed to delivering training and CPD of the highest quality to continue to inform those working within the built heritage sector. For 2011 we have a comprehensive programme of training and seminars delivered by renowned experts in their field from throughout the UK.
We received fantastic feedback from those who have attended seminars this year with audiences that have included building professionals from a wide range of organisations including Historic Scotland, Edinburgh World Heritage, National Trust for Scotland, local authorities and several architectural practices specialising in working with traditional buildings.
Seminars for June include Traditional Leadwork delivered by the Lead Sheet Association who travel from Kent to deliver this course, giving you the chance to access this training locally at Penicuik House.
We will also be delivering a half day seminar 'Specifying Mortars for Repair, Restoration and New Build'. This definitive guide is gauraunteed to inform your mortar specifications when using lime and considers some common problems to avoid failures.
Ian Hume will again be visiting Penicuik House to deliver his popular two day 'Structural Repair of Historic Buildings' seminar. With a wide and varied career working with traditional buildings and structures don't miss this chance to come along to this comprehensive seminar.
For further details on any of our courses and seminars visit the training section of this website for full course descriptions or to book a place or contact any of the team here at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust.
Dealing with Damp
16 May 2011
Here at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust we were delighted to welcome back Mike Parrett to deliver another seminar dealing with the common problem of damp in buildings as part of the Penicuik House Project. Mike is co-author of the RICS best seller, ‘Diagnosing Damp’, the recognised primary reference work on dampness in buildings. Damp is a major maintenance issue for our built heritage and after decades of sales-led ‘solutions’, Mike’s back-to-basics approach gets to grips with where damp comes from – and offers real, practical advice to deal with problems.
We received fantastic feedback from those who attended this seminar with an audience that included building professionals from a wide range of organisations including Historic Scotland, Edinburgh World Heritage, National Trust for Scotland, local authorities and several architectural practices specialising in working with traditional buildings. Many attendees found Mike’s advice to be a real revelation as he has solved damp problems in over 30,000 properties without once chemically injecting a DPC!
For those who missed Mike’s seminar ‘Diagnosing Damp’ can be purchased from RICS books by clicking here. Mike has also produced a comprehensive DVD series ‘Building Pathology’ click here to watch a trailer for the series and for purchase information.
Clay building workshops in Fife
2 May 2011
An exciting clay building project being is currently being undertaken in Fife to create a new shelter in Letham Park. This fantastic community project is being undertaken by local earth building specialists Little and Davie and the shelter has been designed by Tom Morton Architects. The project is funded with £10,000 from The Lottery’s Awards for All in partnership with the local community and Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery.
The stone foundations for the shelter were built in early autumn last year and now that the weather is improving the next stage of building with clay has begun.The project includes a range of workshops open to all from nursery school children to senior citizens who are all being encouraged to have a go at earth building.
On Saturday 14th May a free drop in session will be held where visitors can come along and get some hands-on experience from 1-4pm and expect to get mucky! For further details Click here or visit the Letham Park website by clicking here
Free courses for Fife
1 May 2011
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust has been commisioned to deliver courses to encourage traditional building repair and maintenance as part of the Dysart Townscape Heritage Initiative and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme. Courses will be held at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust workshops in Charlestown,Fife, and are aimed at owners of traditional buildings or church and community groups who are responsible for a traditional building. The courses would also be an interesting ‘taster’ for skill seekers who are considering a career working with historic buildings.
The Kingdom of Fife has nearly 5000 buildings listed as being of special architectural or historic interest by Historic Scotland which represents over 10% of listed buildings in Scotland and the highest number in any local authority in Scotland. Fife also has 48 ‘Conservation Areas’, of which Dysart is included, which are areas considered to be of particular historic or architectural interest. The rich heritage of Dysart is the focus for a £11 million regeneration project which will involve the restoration of iconic buildings and structures such Dysart Harbour and the Tolbooth, the development of attractive new affordable housing and much needed environmental improvements. The project has seen a partnership formed between Fife Council, Historic Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Fife Historic Buildings Trust with strong support from the local community.
The courses include practical workshops ‘Introduction to Lime Pointing’ on 04th June and ‘Introduction to Sash and Case Window Repair’ on 02nd July.These courses will also give attendees the chance to speak with Scottish Lime Centre Trust’s experts about any problems they are facing with their buildings and attendees are welcome to bring along photos for some specific advice.
These interesting and informative courses are being offered free of charge, no previous experience is necessary, and courses are open to those living or working in Fife. Priority will be given to those from the Dysart area and as places are limited booking is essential. For further information or to book a place please contact any of the team here at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust or book online in the training section of this website.
Engineering & Construction Showcase at Angus College
1 April 2011
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust were for the second year running asked to attend the Engineering & Construction Showcase held at Angus College, an annual event showcasing the latest technology, careers and opportunities within the construction and engineering industries. The event gives potential learners and apprentices the opportunity to gain valuable careers and training advice from key names in industry.
This year's event attracted a record number of visitors with live demonstrations including demonstrations of stone cutting and carving by Scottish Lime Centre's Training Co-ordinator, Scott Mcaskill. The Scottish Lime Centre also provided information and advice for those interested in undertaking traditional building skills training and this years event saw a rise in adult skill seekers and contractors looking to gain heritage skills.
Angus College has been working recently to include traditional building skills within several of its core construction courses and last year several visits from Angus College students were made to the Scottish Lime Centre with students covering a range of activties related to traditional masonry repair and sash and case window repair techniques.
Angus College have produced a short video of the showcase event which can be viewed by clicking here
New DVD now available
4 March 2011
SLCT are pleased to announce the release of their new instructional DVD 'Traditional masonry building repair'. This comprehensive DVD is the definitive guide to masonry repair, illustrating the practical techniques required to conserve, repair and maintain traditional masonry buildings using lime mortars.
The DVD takes you from the initial building survey and materials analysis through to mortar preparation and curing and protection techniques. Practical demonstrations are given on how to undertake lime pointing, harls, renders and limewashes.
'Traditional masonry building repair' is a powerful training tool for anyone involved in the masonry contracting industry and the built heritage sector.
View the a sample of the new DVD here (opens in a new window, 9.54MB)
Please contact us to purchase your copy for £25 including VAT and UK postage and packaging.
International Course on Stone Conservation
13 January 2011
Here at SLCT we are excited to announce that our Building Materials Analyst Alice Custance-Baker has been selected to represent Scotland and the UK at the 17th International Course on Stone Conservation in Rome this year. This course started back in 1976 and since this date there have been only five representatives from the UK (and it is highly likely that Alice is the first representative for Scotland). The course has been organised by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the Getty Conservation Institute (California, USA).
Alice will travel to Rome to undertake 11 weeks of intensive training in the field of stone conservation, covering all aspects of the field from international conservation principles to the application of conservation practice. This will ensure that the Scottish Lime Centre remains at the forefront of masonry conservation advisory work harnessing the very latest ‘cutting edge’ technical understanding for stone conservation. The course will also provide a platform for promoting the work that is currently being carried out at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust and in Scotland as a whole and for demonstrating that we are leading players in this field. The member states that will be represented at the course will be: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Georgia, Japan, Korea, Montenegro, Nigeria, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkey and Yemen with 1 participant from each country.
We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by industry and our other funders for our attendance at this prestigious course. To find out who is supporting us please click here visit the blog that will run throughout the course. Alice will present a lecture to disseminate her findings on her return. To find out more about ICCROM please click hereFunding for courses
11 December 2010
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust have been selected by the National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) as being a suitable partner institution to distribute grants to those studying or working in conservation through the Patricia Fay Memorial Fund.
This means that we are able to give financial assistance to learners who may have been unable to attend courses at Charlestown Workshops due to financial constraints. Click here to download further information and here for an application form.
Many of our courses here at Charlestown Workshops have recently been approved by ILA Scotland. ILA Scotland is a Scottish Executive scheme that can help you pay for the cost of your learning.
If you are over 18 and living in Scotland, you may be eligible for up to £200 a year of ILA funding. The money is not a loan, so you don’t have to pay it back. To find out more, call the ILA Scotland helpline free on 0808 100 1090 or click here
New Course Schedule 2010-2011
4 May 2010
A Centre of Excellence for Traditional Building Skills, Charlestown Workshops offers a comprehensive training and education programme ranging from 1 day hands-on workshops to longer courses that can lead to the attainment of National Vocational Qualifications in Masonry Conservation.
Our courses for 2010-2011 are now available to book online. We have introduced some exciting new courses to our timetable including ‘Sash and Case Window Repair’, 'Maintaining Traditional Buildings' and 'Drystone Walling'.
Still running are our popular longer courses for contractors and professionals. All of our workshops combine a mixture of theory and 'hands on' practical skills. For further details and booking please Click here or contact us to be sent a course brochure.
We are also able to offer bespoke training solutions for the construction industry or as part of a training plan for THI’s etc. These can be delivered either on site to suit clients or at Charlestown Workshops. To discuss your needs please contact us.
Tavish Scott Visits Lime Centre
7 April 2010
Tavish Scott, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats visited Charlestown Workshops today accompanied by Willie Rennie Scottish Liberal Democrats MP for Dunfermline and West Fife. By making his visit Tavish hoped to highlight the need for more investment in skills training to boost employment and the construction industry in Scotland.
The MP's were given a tour of SLCT's indoor masonry training facility, Merryhill, where they were given the the opportunity to try some of the masonry repair techniques taught at the centre. The group then visited Charlestown Workshops where Director Roz Artis-Young gave a presentation highlighting the threats facing traditional buildings in Scotland.
Mr Scott said: "It is very important that we invest in old buildings and it is this kind of centre in West Fife that is very important because there are lots of local companies and businesses across Scotland which can use it to make sure they can gain the experience needed. Scotland needs a building industry and construction industry which is going places, part of that is repairing and refurbishing old buildings."
Vacancy - Volunteer Assistant Building Materials Analyst
4 April 2010
We are currently looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to assist our Building Materials Analyst here at Charlestown Workshops for 1 day per week during a four month period starting May/June 2010. As we are a Centre of Excellence for Building Conservation this would be an interesting placement for anyone beginning or considering a career with traditional buildings with the opportunity to undertake our training courses and attend our seminars and masterclasses.
Full training will be provided on specific aspects of the work and the main duties will involve assisting the Building Materials Analyst with sample analysis including hand specimen and wet chemistry analysis and updating the Sands & Aggregates Database, an essential resource used for sand matching when analysing mortars and for specification purposes for the construction industry.
To download further details of the post and how to apply please Click here.
Masonry Arch Bridges
1 April 2010
Masonry Arch Bridges form about 40% of European bridge stock. 60% of these bridges are over 100 years old and carrying traffic with ever increasing speed, weight and density without any change to their original construction.
This masterclass held at the University of the West of England, 19-20 July, will introduce recent developments in masonry arch bridge design, new construction, monitoring, assessment and maintenance from a practical perspective.
Speakers include SLCT Director Roz Artis-Young who will discuss applications and use of mortars in masonry arch repair. The event is aimed at bridge owners, local authority staff, consulting engineers, contractors and academic engineers.
To download further details in a PDF file please Click hereLime in New Build Seminar
3 March 2010
The Building Limes Forum in association with BRE are running a one day seminar on 23 April 2010 dealing with lime and lime based products for conservation and new build. SLCT will be contributing to the programme with Roz Artis-Young discussing the importance of sand matching when preparing mortars and renders and SLCT Trustee Paul Livesy dealing with the topic of using lime mortars and renders in extreme weather conditions. Held at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, other speakers on the day include James Simpson, Pete Walker and Pete Foster.
Click here for further details of the programme for the day and a booking sheet can be downloaded here. To find out more about the work of the Building Limes Forum visit their website.
Concrete improvements happening at SLCT!
1 March 2010
The Scottish Lime Centre has been bucking the down-turn in the construction sector with a huge demand for its focused building advisory and training services recently. This has required the present Director, Roz Artis-Young to move to a newly created post of Technical Director, to allow her to concentrate on meeting the increasing demand in these areas.
Roz is well known and respected within the industry and brings a high level of professionalism and skill to this new post, ensuring the continued quality of the SLCT’s products and services. The SLCT’s unique vocational training facility at Merryhill, Charlestown, and its in-house laboratory in support of the building advisory work, combine to offer contractors, homeowners, building professionals and learners an unrivalled opportunity to acquire skills, knowledge and independent advice.
Stuart Beattie, who has been involved as a business advisor to the SLCT for some time, moves to the new post of Managing Director to oversee all aspects of moving the SLCT forward and to focus on the business. Stuart will ensure core services are maintained alongside staff development. He will also forge new grant funded partnerships to ensure the SLCT maintains its status as Scotland’s first point of contact for any problems or concerns over build quality, whether refurbishment, repair, maintenance, restoration, conservation or indeed new construction.
In 2009, over 2,000 learners attended a wide ranging programme of courses, master classes and workshops at the three training centres used by the SLCT namely Charlestown Workshops, the new all weather training centre at Merryhill, Charlestown and the new training facility at Penicuik House.
To find out more please click here to download our latest annual report.
Winter Working
12 February 2010
HAVING PROBLEMS DUE TO LOW TEMPERATURES? We have been inundated with enquiries stemming from mortar failures due to low temperatures this winter. Projects throughout the UK have been affected due to the unusually severe weather conditions this winter.
Did you know that a 1:1:6 cement:lime:sand can, if conditions prevail, be susceptible to frost attack for up to 10 weeks after placing? The risks involved in using natural hydraulic limes are more onerous as the curing times are longer for lime mortars than for cement mortars. Click here to download our winter working information sheet or do get in touch if you require any further information. We have been running several 'Winter Working' seminars recently and will do so again towards the end of summer/autum 2010. If you would be interested in attending please contact us to be added to our waiting list.Building Scotland - Celebrating Scotland's Traditional Building
9 February 2010
SLCT's Director, Roz Artis-Young, has made a major contribution to a new Historic Scotland publication 'Building Scotland' writing a chapter on the use of Lime in traditional buildings.
Historic Scotland will be hosting a two day conference to mark the launch of the book, celebrating the materials used to construct Scotland's Traditional Buildings. Specialist speakers, including Roz, will outline how fourteen materials have been utilised over time, their geographical variations throughout the country, their properties and examples of their use.
The conference will take place 03-04 March 2010 at the Assembly Hall, the Mound in Edinburgh. To download a conference programme and registration form please click here.
SLCT take part in Glasgow's Built Heritage Festival
2 September 2008
SLCT are very please to be taking an active role in Glasgow's Built Heritage Festival running from the 15-21 of Sept 2008. SLCT will be on Glasgow Green on the 19th and 20th, with skills taster sessions for visiting schools on the Friday and a family open day on the Sat.
Charlestown Consultants will also be adding their expertise to 'The Hub’ - Heritage, Conservation and the Built Environment Exhibition at St Andrews in the Square. This special exhibition will bring a large number of local and national heritage, conservation and built environment organisations together under one roof in order to provide displays and information for the public. If you would like any information about heriatge skills training or traditional building repairs come along and visit us on the 20th or 21st between 10am-4pm.
For further information about any of the events being held as part of Glasgow's Built Heritage Festival please click here
Pointing with Lime
15 August 2008
Our Senior Consultant, Craig Frew, has recently had his article 'Pointing with Lime' published by Catherdral Communications in their 'Building Conservation Directory'.
Cathedral Communications website is a real hub for building conservation information with articles and directories including events, courses and an online bookshop. Craig's article sits alongside some of the UK's most well known conservation professionals writings, to read the article on-line please click here .Build a new life in the country
4 July 2008
ARE YOU MOVING TO YOUR DREAM LOCATION WHERE YOU WILL BE RENOVATING YOUR DREAM PROPERTY?
The ‘Build a New Life’ team from Channel 5 are looking for hands on people who are starting work on a property renovation.The producers would like to hear from people who are moving to an idyllic part of the countryside to renovate buildings such as ruined barns, old farmhouses, redundant chapels, or even something more unusual, like a disused water tower into their dream home or dream business.
If you would be interested in documenting your inspirational journey please call Cecily at channel 5 tel:0207 985 716
Cumbernauld Doocot Open Day
3 March 2008
SLCT's masonry training squad have recently completed work to save the doocot situated in Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Cumbernauld Glen Wildlife Reserve. To celebrate, an open day was held within the Glen on Saturday 15 March.
The 17th century doocot was in desperate need of repairs following recent vandalism and inappropriate work undertaken in the 1950s. The project was supported by the Landfill Tax Community Fund.
Rachel Avery of the Scottish Wildlife Trust commented ‘The doocot is hugely valued by so many people in Cumbernauld, and it’s brilliant to see it looking so beautiful after its careful restoration. The old cement mortar used to repair the doocot in the past has all been carefully picked out and replaced by lime mortar, similar to what would have been used originally. This is much better for the stone work and shows the doocot off to perfection.’
Malcolm Ward of the Friends of Cumbernauld Glen group said “What a pleasure to see the doocot returned to near original condition and enhancing the glen once again. The work wouldn’t be possible without the successful partnership of all the organisations and the local community. Hopefully it will stand for another 400 years.”
Penicuik House Partnership
28 January 2008
2008 sees the beggining of a significant training project, the Penicuik House Partnership – a joint venture between the Scottish Lime Centre Trust and the Penicuik House Preservation Trust.
The project will see the consolidation of the ruin of the 18th century house, providing important training and education opportunities. This will be an unparalleled oppertunity to undertaken training on a 'live' project.
Penicuik House is the finest and most influential example of Palladian architecture in Scotland and the house itself sits within an important designed landscape. For further details click hereThe Merryhill Project
19 January 2008
The Merryhill project is one step closer to reality, with the imminent construction of welfare facilities and the relocation of our practical masonry training from Charlestown Workshops to Merryhilll later in 2008.
Merryhill will house a series of full-scale and depth facades reflecting the wealth and diversity of Scotland's masonry styles and materials from simple vernacular to grand Georgian facades offering unparalleled opportunities for the crafts and professionals to master all aspects of building conservation and repair to the highest level.
Fundraising for the second phase of the projects is ongoing. If you would like further information on the project or think you can help please contact us
Traditional Buildings and Cement
31 October 2006
At Charlestown Workshops, we think cement is great! – just not for repairing traditional buildings.
The image on the right highlights how hard, impervious cement mortars can affect natural stone masonry. This example is from a current ‘Charlestown Consultants’ project where we are advising a local authority on the most appropriate materials and methodology for repairing this building. For further information on lime mortars and their use please click on the Consultancy section on the left
Unfortunately re-pointing, more than any other maintenance operation, is frequently poorly executed using inappropriate materials. The performance of traditional masonry buildings depends on the ability of the building fabric to transmit moisture vapour. Both stone and mortar naturally absorb a certain amount of water and, importantly, allow it to dry out again. If this process is inhibited or thrown out of balance by the use of impermeable mortars a number of problems may be encountered including accelerated stone decay and water penetration.
National Construction Week 2006
17 October 2006
As part of National Construction Week, SLCT were pleased to welcome nine secondary school pupils
involved in Aberdeen City Councils 13-16 Trades Project.
Organised in conjunction with Aberdeen City Heritage Trust the pupils spent the day at Charlestown Workshops learning about traditional building techniques.
After an introduction to the Scottish Lime Centre Trust’s activities from director Roz Artis-Young the group built, loaded and fired our famous 3 minute kiln and watched a demonstration of quicklime being slaked to a lime putty.
The pupils were then given the opportunity to try traditional plastering and to prepare and point SLCT’s masonry training wall.
To round off the day the group visited a local SLCT project to see first hand the traditional building skills they had undertaken being put into practice.
On Site Training in Wick
9 October 2006
As part of the Second World War Air Raid Victims memorial garden project, training was delivered at the Bank Row Smoke House. The buildings comprise of high quality Caithness sandstone with clay cored walls. In Telford’s own handwritten specs for his commission from the fisheries board for the development at lower Pulteneytown he states ‘I am perfectly satisfied for these buildings to be constructed using the local sandstone, clay mortar walls and finished with lime’.
The main thrust of the workshop programme explained the importance of ensuring maximum compatibility of applied surface finishes to maintain effectiveness of clay cored masonry. Hard impervious modern cement core work and pointing can be disastrous when applied to Caithness sandstone and clay mortars. The high levels of moisture trapped by modern cements can cause clay to revert to soil or be washed out altogether causing bulging and irreparable damage to historic built fabric.
Saturdays open day gave members of the public an opportunity to get ‘hands on’ and take part in some of SLCT’s demonstrations. Experts were also on hand to give advice to historic building owners. Kids (and some of the adults!) were also kept busy painting plaster cast moulds.
SLCT are able to provide bespoke training solutions deliverable at our Charlestown Workshops or on site. We also welcome visits from school and community groups and can provide a range of interesting activities. For more information please contact us.
For further information concerning the Pulteneytown Townscape Heritage Initiative click here
Cairneyhill Project Launch
26 September 2006
Friday the 22nd of Sept saw Councillor Alan Kenney officially launch the project to restore the historic Watch House in Cairneyhill thanks to a grant of just over £30,000 (£30,500) from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The project will provide an educational focus for workshops in traditional building skills to be delivered by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust (SLCT) to local primary school children in conjunction with project partners the Cairneyhill Heritage Group (CHG).
The diminutive and ruinous watch house, in the Cairneyhill graveyard, was constructed 200 years ago during a period when the theft of bodies from graves for sale to anatomists was common place. Volunteers from the village would keep a long night vigil overlooking the graves from the safety of the protection of the watch house.
The project award from HLF will see the building, a roofless shell, conserved for future generations with Primary 7 children from both the Cairneyhill and Crombie schools taking part in a series of workshops, designed by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust, to introduce them to the traditional building materials and skills to be used in the restoration process.
When the Cairneyhill Heritage Group formed in 2004 the watch house was identified as an important part of the village’s local heritage at risk of being lost to future generations. The Scottish Lime Centre, a centre of excellence for traditional building skills, joined forces with CHG to bring the project to fruition. The work is programmed to complete by the end of the year. Guided site visits will run during the project, please contact the SLCT or CHG for further details.
Watch this space for regular updates as work progresses!
New Publication - Charlestown Limeworks, Research and Conservation
1 August 2006
Historic Scotland have just published Charlestown Limeworks, Research and Conservation, written by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust.
The publication is a result of detailed archival research into the operational workings of Charlestown Limeworks partly funded by the European Union. The study takes an overview of the complete process from quarrying to shipping including the development of the kilns and lime burning.
Copies can be purchased from Charlestown Workshops or by mail order. For more details please contact 01383 872 722 or info@scotlime.org
The Merryhill Project: Conserving Scotland's Built Heritage
1 July 2006
SLCT conceived a vision of creating a unique and world-class facility within the recently leased Merryhill agricultural store, close to Charlestown Workshops. Merryhill will house a series of full-scale and depth facades reflecting the wealth and diversity of Scotland's masonry styles and materials from simple vernacular to grand Georgian facades.
This unique resource will allow for unparalleled opportunities for the crafts and professionals to master al aspects of building conservation and repair to the highest level putting Scotland at the forefront of conservation best practice.
Having had pre-application discussions with the local planners, SLCT are currently preparing a planning application for submission in the near future and are in the process of fundraising