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Category: Maintenance

A person wearing a black Historic Environment Scotland hoody, holding up a long piece of oakum at a table in a workshop setting.
Skills

The tools and techniques of traditional ship caulking

Thursday 2 July 2026

Craft Fellow Rowan Duffy shares a brief history and the process of one of the oldest maritime craft techniques – caulking.

A living room with lots of wooden features including wall panelling, a door, tables and chairs and a large wooden fireplace surround. The fireplace itself is a small, triangular, iron fire with a stone surround.
Maintenance

Improving fire safety in traditional buildings

Monday 7 July 2025

Fire is a significant threat to all buildings. Fires affecting traditional or historic buildings carry additional cultural and social impacts that can affect our wellbeing. This blog shares advice about fire safety in traditional buildings.

A row of traditional sandstone tenements with rows of sash and case windows and carve stone detailing above and around the windows.
Maintenance

Is your home winter ready? Top tips for Maintenance Week

Tuesday 12 November 2024

Traditional building maintenance expert Moses Jenkins provides tips and advice for preparing your traditional building for the winter.

A marble fireplace in front of a deep blue wall in an old building. There are two globe lamps and a pair of wooden chairs, one either side of the fireplace. To the left is a window, looking out onto trees.
Maintenance

Top tips for using and maintaining traditional interior paint and finishes

Friday 17 November 2023

Planning a do-it-yourself (DIY) project and thinking about using traditional paint and finishes? Or have you found an original paint...

A historical kitchen, set in a grand old house. There is a large range fire, and a selection of around thirty pots and pans hanging from the wall. A table in the centre has bowls and plates on it, and three hams hang from the rafters.
Maintenance

How to get an authentic look with traditional interior paint and finishes

Friday 17 November 2023

Does a room in your traditional home (built pre-1919) need a fresh coat of paint? Or are you researching a...

A traditional cottage, with two windows on the ground floor and two dormer windows in the roof. There are other cottages in the background surrounded by farmland.
Homeowners

How to look after your traditional building, so that it can look after you

Thursday 9 November 2023

Looking after traditional buildings needn’t be a complicated burden. Their long lives are testament to their quality of build, suitability...

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Thank you

The Engine Shed is accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and National Open College Network (NOCN). The Engine Shed was supported by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to share knowledge of traditional building materials, develop skills and raise standards in conservation for traditional buildings.

  • Heritage Lottery Fund

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Historic Environment Scotland is the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment.

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