Courses

Repairing Traditional Masonry P1 - Professional Level 1

This 2 day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the use of a range of lime and other traditional binders for the effective conservation and repair of traditional masonry.

Masonry Building Conservation- Principles and Techniques P2-Professional Level 2

Provides confidence in the repair principles, materials and techniques for traditional masonry buildings, covering mortar manufacture, practical repair methods and techniques, and aftercare of lime based materials.

Making and Using Traditional Mortars C1-Contractor Level 1

Our most popular two day introductory course aimed at contractors and those with trowel skills, this practical workshop will provide attendees with a strong understanding of lime technology, how to approach re-pointing work in traditional buildings and the correct materials to use.

Traditional Masonry Repair C2-Contractor Level 2

A 3 day workshop aimed at contractors, building on the knowledge and skills gained on 'C1 Making and Using Traditional Mortars'.

Intensive Training & Assessment (C1, C2 & National Units SQA)

This intensive week of training and assessment will include a refresher of our courses 'C1 Making and Using Traditional Mortars' and 'C2 Traditional Masonry Repair' with continual assessment to allow you to gain SQA National Units 1, 2 & 3 in Conservation Masonry within five intensive days.

Rendering and Harling with Lime

This hands on course will enable you to apply a variety of external lime render finishes to a wide range of backgrounds including matching to existing finishes.

1 Day Rendering with Lime

This course will enable you to apply a variety of lime render finishes to a wide range of backgrounds including matching to existing finishes

Lime Pointing

Learn the skills to help you carry out your own mortar pointing repairs.

Winter Working with Lime

Our definitive guide to winter working with lime mortars with hints, tips and practical advice to help you extend your working season successfully.

Making, Pigmenting & Applying Limewash

A half day course covering all aspects of making and working with limewashes including how to determine suitable finishes for a range of background types.

Introduction to Traditional Harls & Renders

A chance to gain a clear understanding of traditional external finishes when considering the repair or reinstatement of harls and renders.

Surface Repair of Stone

This course will cover the how to carry out a successful surface stone repair with an understanding of the materials and when and where it may be appropriate.

Rubble Wall Building

This practical two day course will equip you to set out, construct and finish a traditional rubble wall using a variety of building stones and traditional lime mortars.

Maintaining Traditional Buildings

A must for anyone who owns or is responsible for a traditional building.

Sash and Case Window Repairs

Don’t rip out your sash and case windows! Come and learn how to carry out your own repairs.

Decorative Stone Carving

This course is intended to give students of all abilities the skills and knowledge to carve stone.

Letter Cutting in Stone

This course is intended to give students of all abilities the skills and knowledge to cut letters into stone.

Dry Stone Walling

Have you always wanted to try drystone walling? Would you like to add to your skills set? Why not join us for this one day workshop aimed at those who would like to learn the basics of dry stone walling to be able to undertake their own projects.

Introduction to indigenous earth building traditions and techniques EB1

This workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to a range of earth building techniques including materials science, conservation of earth structures and buildings and construction methods using earth based materials.

Making, Using and Specifying Hot Mixed Lime Mortars

This one day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the preparation and use of’ hot mixed’ lime mortars, that is, mortars prepared by slaking quicklime, sand and natural hydraulic lime binders (and possibly other additives like tallow or pozzolans) to more closely mimic the appearance and technical performance of conservation mortars and in some cases offer advantages in use and technical performance over more conventional ‘cold mortars’. So get 'savvy' and come on enjoy a day packed full of both practical and technical advice to allow you to specify, make and use hot mixed lime mortars with confidence!

1 day Rubble Wall Building

This practical one day course will equip you to set out and construct a traditional rubble wall using a variety of building stones and traditional lime mortars.

Repairing Traditional Masonry Structures

This one day workshop covers the construction and appropriate repair of traditional masonry structures such as culverts, tunnels, light houses, viaducts, canals, harbours, retaining walls, piers and masonry arch bridges using natural stone and the range of lime and early patented cements that have been used in the past as bedding and pointing mortars. These structures contribute so much to the richness of our built heritage and many are still in use after 200+ years.

Introduction to Scottish Slating Practices

This one day course aims to provide an introductory guide to traditional Scottish roofs including function, structure, external roof shapes, typical details and decorative features, the causes of deterioration and the main causes of failure.

Introduction to Stonemasonry

This two day practical course taught by our time served Stonemason is suitable for all abilities and covers an introduction to tools, techniques and uses of basic stonemasonry.

Introduction to plain lime plaster

This one day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the preparation and application of plain lime plaster to both lath and masonry backgrounds which abound our historic buildings for internal wall and ceiling finishes.

FREE Repair workshop for Homeowners

FREE training opportunities aimed at business/shopfront owners, joiners, fitters, sign designers, homeowners, professionals and contractors in Fife.

You must live or work in Fife to be eligible

Repair workshop for Contractors

This course is now Full

FREE training opportunities aimed at business/shopfront owners, joiners, fitters, sign designers, homeowners, professionals and contractors in Fife.

The Structural Repair of Historic Buildings

This course will provide you with a sound understanding of the philosophy of conservation and a better understanding of the relationship between structural engineering and conservation.

Mortar Analysis Explained

This seminar will ensure that you can gain the most out of your mortar analysis reports and to learn how to carry out your own basic analyses.

Stone Analysis Explained

Join us on this free seminar and gain a greater understanding of the process of stone analysis and be able to understand and use the results of stone analysis to create better specifications for replacement stone masonry units.

Repair and Maintenance of Masonry Arch Bridge Masterclass

This masterclass looks at all aspects of masonry arch bridge construction and the materials utilized to determine the most appropriate repair schemes.

Damp in Buildings Masterclass

One of the world’s leading experts on investigating dampness in buildings and co-author of the RICS’ bestselling book ‘Diagnosing Damp’, recognised as the primary reference work on dampness in buildings, will deliver a 1 day seminar on that very subject.

Specifying Mortars for Repair, Restoration and New Build

Attend this seminar to refresh your knowledge, or learn for the first time, how to specify mortars correctly to ensure a successful project.

A place for all mortars

This masterclass aims to demonstrate that there is a place for all mortars by explaining more about the mortars we have available today. These range from hot mixed mortars, closely replicating historic mortars, to formulated ready mixed mortars.

Retrofitting Traditional Buildings Masterclass: Principles and Practice

A 2-part online technical masterclass, running over 2 half days, covering emerging research, best practice and case studies in the field of upgrading traditional and historic buildings

Day 1 – 4th December 2020 @ 9.30am-1.00pm

Day 2 – 11th December 2020 @ 9.30am-1.00pm

Reinforced Concrete Masterclass

This Masterclass explores the fascinating world of reinforced concrete (yes, really, really!) - what can be achieved with it, its constituents, decay mechanisms and how it can be successfully repaired with a variety of methods and materials. Not all reinforced concrete buildings are carbuncles! CONCRETE can be COUTHIE!

Internal & External Lime Finishes - A place for all mortars masterclass

This latest masterclass in the ‘A place for all mortars’ series aims to give context in harling practice, show case studies of worked examples of both harling and plastering, and give some steer as to how we cope going forward with harsher weather patterns.