Courses

We run a wide range of courses, from traditional building skills for repair and conservation throughout the year, as well as masterclasses from beginner to advanced and beyond. The courses have been put into broad categories but please take a look at them all and if you're not sure then please contact us if you would like to discuss which course is suitable for you or your employees. We are always happy to help learners choose the right course.

To download our full course list, please click here. (3.1 MB)  

Courses for Building Professionals, Site Managers & Students of the Built Environment

• Above Eaves Level P1 - Traditional Slate Roofs

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

• 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.

• 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’.

• Decorative plasterwork – Introduction to the production of enrichments or ornament

  This one day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the production of enrichments or ornament as part of a scheme of decorative plasterwork in both lime and gypsum by casting in moulds and hand modelling.

• 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.

Courses for Contractors

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

• 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.

• 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

• Basic Masonry Skills

  By popular demand, we have introduced this new two day course which is suitable for those with limited or no experience and wish to attain basic stonemasonry skills on natural sandstone blocks.

• 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.

• 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 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 and using 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’. More and more clients and specifiers are asking building contractors to make and use ‘hot mixed’ mortars on their repair jobs, so get ahead of the game and brush up your knowledge and skills with us.

• 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.

• Decorative plasterwork – Introduction to the production of enrichments or ornament

  This one day workshop aims to provide an introductory guide to the production of enrichments or ornament as part of a scheme of decorative plasterwork in both lime and gypsum by casting in moulds and hand modelling.

• 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.

Courses for Homeowners, People Responsible for Traditional Buildings & Anyone Seeking New Skills

• 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

  Learn the basics of dry stone walling to enable you to undertake your own projects.

• Lime Pointing

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

• Christmas Swag Making Workshop

  Ever wondered how the professionals make those stunning Christmas door swags? Let us show you how it's done.

• Easter Wreath Making Workshop

  Ever wondered how the professionals make those stunning wreaths for all occasions. Let us show you how it's done in this Easter Wreath Making Workshop.

• Autumn Wreath Making

   Ever wondered how the professionals make those stunning door wreaths? Let us show you how it's done.

Built Environment Seminars

• 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.

• 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: Principles and Practice Masterclass

  A one-day technical masterclass covering emerging research, best practice and case studies in the field of upgrading traditional and historic buildings.

• 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!