Traditional Scottish Roofing

Natural slate, lead and iron have been exploited to cover (and sometimes decorate) traditional Scottish buildings. Our three morning talks will introduce you to the methods and materials traditionally used in Scotland for roofing. We will also discuss the prospects for reopening Scotland’s first working slate quarry since the 1950s.

A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed.

For those attending for the full day, in the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to observe a wide range of roof repair and conservation issues.

For those who cannot join us in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning learning session. This will be hosted on Microsoft Teams, and the joining link will be sent to you a week before the event.

Learning outcomes

You will:

1. Learn about the range of materials used to roof Scotland’s historic buildings over the past three centuries and how these roofs can and should be repaired today.
2. Discover how cast iron has been used both as a utilitarian and decorative feature on Scottish traditional buildings.
3. Understand the challenges – and potential successes – of HES’s recent initiatives to reopen dormant slate quarries and the implication for Scotland’s historic and natural environment.

Who should attend?

We encourage students, graduates, heritage professionals and building practitioners from all disciplines interested in developing their knowledge and practice in traditional buildings to consider attending.

We also welcome anyone responsible for a traditional building or with an interest in the broader aspects of building conservation in Scotland.

This learning session can be used towards your continued professional development (CPD). A certificate of attendance will be issued following participation.