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Category: Materials

Scaffolding up at a historic thatched building in the countryside
Vernacular and earth building

What can builders of the past teach us about sustainable building methods?

Monday 19 February 2024

At its core, vernacular building is about local knowledge and local materials. Our Vernacular Buildings Craft Fellow, Ross, shares his experience of working on vernacular buildings across Scotland and explains how they could help modern building practices become more sustainable.

A person looking down a microscope in a lab at a piece of stone
Science

What is mortar analysis?

Friday 9 February 2024

Learn about mortar analysis: a skill vital to making conservation decisions that are appropriate, long-lasting and don't damage historic buildings.

A small, thatched roof hut in the countyside. The hut is made from earth and has a large, rectangular opening for a door.
Skills

Grassroots hutting: an architecture borrowed from the soil

Wednesday 24 January 2024

How can local materials and ancient skills help us with sustainable building practices for the modern age? That's a question we've explored on a recent project to construct a traditional turf hut near Comrie, Perthshire.

A blacksmith forging a piece of steel on a large anvil inside a workshop with lots of tools hanging on the wall.
Conservation

Why building conservation is important for the future

Thursday 12 October 2023

Scotland has approximately 450,000 traditionally-made buildings. Discover the principles behind looking after them, and why it's important.

Freshly cut reed beds viewed from above, looking down directly on to a tightly packed series of reeds, looking like bunched straws.
Materials

Thatching Reed: supporting buildings and nature

Thursday 31 August 2023

We caught up with RSPB Tayside Reserves Warden Vicky Turnbull to find out more about the Tay reedbeds and how they support both nature and building conservation.

A white stone cottage with a corrugated iron roof, in a countryside setting with hills in the background
Materials

Binding with earth: what we know about earth mortars in Scotland

Monday 5 December 2022

Building with earth mortar is a tradition that's over 5,000 years old. So why do we know so little about this material, and how to use it, today? Traditional Skills and Materials Project Manager, Graham Briggs, is here to help you find out more.

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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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