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A very large, free-standing screen inside the Engine Shed main space. In front of the screen, someone is standing speaking at a large lectern.
Materials

4 Key Takeaways from Our 2024 Lime Finishes Summit

Monday 30 September 2024

Thanks to recent research, we are re-discovering some of the historic applications of lime in buildings, and learning how we can use lime in the modern world. Discover four key takeaways about this from our ‘What’s the Point?’ lime finishes summit.

The weathered exterior of a historic building seen in closeup. An old limewash finish has weathered away leaving the masonry many different colours and flaking away. There is a red and white surveyor's pole for scale.
Materials

What do historic lime finishes look like on Scottish traditional buildings?

Tuesday 6 August 2024

Historically, most buildings would have been covered with a lime finish. In this blog we explore different techniques used for external finishes on historic Scottish buildings, particularly harl, limewash and the many different styles of pointing.

The top four storeys of an abandoned brick factory building. Each floor has six windows, many of which have broken or missing glass, and there is a metal fire escape on the other side.
Materials

Discover Scotland’s Historic Bricks and Tiles

Tuesday 28 May 2024

Scotland has a rich heritage of traditionally constructed brickwork and tiles. In this blog. our Project Manager Dr Moses Jenkins details them and reveals how best to maintain them.

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.

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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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