Focus 2015

2015

INFORMING THE CONSERVATION OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

CONSERVATION.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?.

FOCUS ON APPLYING RESEARCH.

Finding old inspiration for a new commemoration: Edinburgh’s National War Memorial Garden

Catching up with Historic Scotland’s intern alumni in their latest roles around the globe

Virtually reconstructing Robert the Bruce’s tomb and delving into Elizabeth I’s ornate prayer book

Contents In brief

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Highlights 6 Collections 8 Traditional skills

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Conservation 12 Climate change

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Technical research

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Engine Shed

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Applied conservation

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Scottish Ten

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Investing in people

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Industrial heritage

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FOCUS ON APPLYING RESEARCH Introduction 30 Growing old gracefully?

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Robert the Bruce Tomb reconstructed in 3D

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Elizabeth I prayer book

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Restoration mortars, non-destructive testing and salt removal

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Protecting Scotland’s National War Memorial

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St Giles’ reveals a colourful past

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Investigating timber, stone and glass artefacts

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Impact 42

Cover image: Michael Dunnet, Assistant Works Manager at Fort Charlotte (Shetland).

Michael joined Historic Scotland in 1977, then Department of the Environment, as an apprentice stonemason in Orkney. In 1982 he moved to Shetland to join the squad at Fort Charlotte, where he still works.

Inside front cover: Glasgow School of Art during salvage operation, May 2014.

Back cover: Salvaged furniture from collections’ store, Glasgow School of Art. All by David Mitchell

Welcome Welcome to Focus 2015, Historic Scotland’s annual magazine showcasing our technical conservation work. As usual, we have been busy working throughout Scotland and beyond on a range of varied and exciting projects.

The FOCUS ON section in this edition is ‘Applying Research’, and it shows how we put research into practice and use state-of-the-art technology and knowledge to better understand and preserve Scotland’s heritage.

In this issue, I share my highlights of the past year, and set the scene for the year ahead. 2014 has been the start of a series of changes in the organisation, which will culminate, in October 2015, with the merger of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland to become Historic Environment Scotland.

Our Engine Shed project is starting to shape up and Dorothy Hoskins gives an update on this ambitious project, which will see Stirling become the focal point for technical conservation from 2016.

Another milestone has been reached as the Scottish Ten team scanned their last site, the Glasgow-built Nagasaki Crane in Japan. Lyn Wilson describes the experience and explains what the next steps are now that Phase One has been completed. Another highlight this year was the installation of a Contemplation Garden at Edinburgh Castle, which HM Queen Elizabeth II opened in July 2014.

The last time there was an addition to the castle was the erection of the National War Memorial in 1927.

The Collections team have some exciting news regarding a new website for our unique objects collection, and we revisit the extraordinary Paisley Fountain, which has been restored to its former glory. Our Technical Research and Conservation Science teams continue to undertake and disseminate a wide variety of research projects, including the conservation of historic harbours and piers, new techniques to deter lead theft, and new information on how to cope with flood damage in traditional buildings. Scott Brady, our Carbon Manager, gives an update on our targets for carbon emissions, and we look into a future hot topic – climate change adaptation.

This year, we have also revised our publications catalogue, which is now more appropriately termed Technical Resources. As well as all our published material, it contains information on other Historic Scotland resources that will be useful for those interested in traditional buildings and the wider historic environment. Most of our published material is available from our technical website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/ conservation; and if you would like to keep up to date with our latest publications and events, you can sign up to our e-newsletter from the home page of the website.

Dr David Mitchell, Director of Conservation

Editors Vanesa Gonzalez and Ewan Hyslop

Editor Fiona McKinlay fiona.mckinlay@thinkpublishing.co.uk

Produced for Historic Scotland by Think Publishing Ltd. Suite 2.3, Red Tree Business Suites 33 Dalmarnock Road Glasgow G40 4LA Telephone 0141 375 0504 www.thinkpublishing.co.uk

Design Mark Davies, Phil Long, Katherine Pentney, Alistair McGown Sub-editors Kirsty Fortune, Sian Campbell Publisher John Innes john.innes@thinkpublishing.co.uk

While every care has been taken in the preparation and compilation of this publication Historic Scotland cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

IN BRIEF

INFORM Guide series reaches 50th booklet The Lesmahagow site offers state-of-the-art stone carving facilities

Lesmahagow conservation depot opens for business

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

In September 2014, we were delighted to publish our 50th INFORM Guide. The series started in 2008 and we have been producing titles ever since. The series is popular with home owners and building professionals in the UK and overseas.

The last addition to the series is Flood Damage to Traditional Buildings and you can access this and other titles from the publications section on our website at www.historic-scotland.gov. uk/conservation.

Other titles added to our list of publications over the last year include Short Guide 8: Micro-renewables in the Built Environment and Short Guide 9: Maintaining Your Home, as well as several Technical Papers and Refurbishment Case Studies.

Details of all these can be found in our Historic Scotland Technical Resources section of the magazine. For more information about our resources, visit our website or email us at hs.cgoutreach@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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new conservation hub has skills training facilities for staff, apprentices opened in Lesmahagow for and others to complement other craft skills Historic Scotland’s monument centres including Forth Valley College and the conservation operations in forthcoming Engine Shed in Stirling (see page the south west of Scotland, 20). The centre will provide an inspirational replacing the previous depot at and safe working environment to deliver Craignethan Castle. outreach training for a range of students from The new building is a purpose-built school children to conservation professionals. conservation facility that will support and The Lesmahagow facility also offers a suite of modern welfare facilities for Historic ensure the long-term sustainability of Scotland staff, including an office, a kitchen, carrying out conservation works to Historic lockers, and a utility room with shower Scotland’s monuments within South Lanarkshire and the and washing facilities. surrounding areas.

Moreover, to further boost The Lesmahagow our green credentials, the facility offers state of energy performance of the new centre is the art stone-cutting considerably better and hewing facilities, than that of the old which will enable it Craignethan Castle to support various depot, and we have conservation works already been able to throughout south reduce travel, waste Scotland, including and energy costs, the next phases of the meaning our monument Glasgow Cathedral major conservation operations are conservation project. It Training seminar more efficient. also boasts excellent craft

New website marks WWI centenary Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) have created a website to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, at www.

scotlandsfirstworldwar. org. We highlight the work being done throughout our organisations and the future Historic Environment Scotland to commemorate the events of the war.

The website includes details of various events that are being run at our properties, as well as up-to-date information about ongoing work we are undertaking. There are also articles on aspects

of the history, physical remains and individuals connected to the First World War, and details of how our work is helping to conserve and protect the historic legacy left behind by the conflict.

A portrait of WWI poet Wilfred Owen from Poems by Wilfred Owen

IN BRIEF

Explore more than 5,000 years of Scotland’s history with an annual Historic Scotland membership There are more than 300 Historic Scotland properties to visit throughout Scotland, including prehistoric dwellings and stone circles, abbeys and cathedrals, castles and palaces, and distilleries and mills.

HOW TO JOIN Historic Scotland membership is available on an annual or life basis. Paying by Direct Debit means that your annual membership can cost as little as £3.12 a month. Sign up for membership today by visiting www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/member or call 0131 668 8999 for further information on joining.

Tasty treats at Bothwell; the Stirling Tapestries on display at the castle

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE l FREE entry to all Historic Scotland properties, including Edinburgh and Stirling castles l FREE entry to over 400 daytime events and activities taking place all over Scotland l 20% discount in our shops l FREE quarterly magazine l HALF PRICE ENTRY to over 500 heritage attractions throughout the UK in your first year of membership; free entry in subsequent years.

By joining, you will also be making an important contribution to the preservation of Scotland’s built heritage for future generations.

Historic Scotland and RCAHMS join forces in new heritage organisation The public body will deliver an enhanced, more sustainable service for the historic environment

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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olleagues across Historic Scotland, RCAHMS and the Scottish Government are working together to create a new public body, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), that can take a leading role in the historic environment.

Bringing Historic Scotland and RCAHMS together into one body will deliver a more resilient, sustainable and effective heritage organisation, streamlining and improving current functions to deliver an enhanced service for the historic environment – now and in years to come.

The new body, which will benefit from the unique skills, experience, knowledge and expertise of staff in Historic Scotland and RCAHMS, starts work in April this year and will help deliver Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.

The joint venture will begin work this April to deliver the Our Place in Time strategy

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FOCUS ON: MVA PROJECT

Recreating the tomb of Robert the Bruce

Ring of Brodgar, Orkney

Setting the scene www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Dr David Mitchell, Director of Conservation, reflects on 2014 and looks forward to an important year

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he eyes of the world were on Scotland in 2014 as the country hosted a number of prominent events. We played our part in welcoming cultural heritage friends to Scotland from many different countries. I am constantly heartened by the admiration of our overseas friends and colleagues for what we do in conservation in this country.

Sometimes it’s hard to see the wood for the trees and we need to step back to gain some perspective. It is good for those of us who work in the sector to remind

David Mitchell

David.Mitchell@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

ourselves why we do what we do – it may not always be easy, but inspiration is never far from reach. I am inspired by various things, such as the enthusiasm and passion of my team and our colleagues in the wider sector, watching our apprentices grow and compete internationally to demonstrate their skills, meeting the students at our annual summer school – there is a great deal to be positive about. More than anything else, however, is that sense of excitement, discovery and adventure that comes from that eureka research moment, seeing something lovingly cared for or made with skill, or visiting a new place.

Now I am pretty lucky – we care for 345 sites across Scotland and little compares to a summer sunset at the Ring of Brodgar on Orkney, that tangible connection to the past at Dunadd, the remoteness of Eileach an Naoimh in the Firth of Lorne or the feel, smell and snug of the Blackhouse at Arnol on Lewis. These are treasures certainly, but I also have a fondness for the ‘ordinary’ – traditionally constructed buildings which reflect their environment, underlying geology or function, particularly those used for work. Those which have been respectfully cared for and even those which have been left to look after themselves have an authenticity and honesty that is inspiring.

Nothing makes you value what you have more than when it is put at risk of course, and in May I spent a

HIGHLIGHTS

week at the Glasgow School of Art in the aftermath of the fire, working with GSA colleagues and the Fire Service to minimise damage to the building fabric and salvage what we could of the collections. It was a tangibly moving experience for all of us, that something so precious was so very nearly lost forever but for the actions of the firefighters. Despite the dismay of carrying out charred remains of identifiably Mackintosh furniture, the response was remarkable. We had around 100 people on site working 14 hour days to protect the building and its collections. The public and heritage sector response was remarkable and that week we could have asked for anything from anyone in the sector and they would have delivered (and we did!).

We learned so much that needs to be shared.

Looking forward we have been building a new organisation with our colleagues at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (or RCAHMS), which is challenging certainly – anything worthwhile always is – but the moments when it has felt right have been those when the collective passion and expertise of our people has sparked. Dr Iain Fraser’s re-creation of the lost tomb of Robert the Bruce was a wonderful example of cross-sector collaboration and adventure – 700 years on and we were still able to make remarkable discoveries through science and technology, but more

than anything through the sharing of expertise and approaching the project with humility.

As we have developed the Engine Shed concept, and listened and talked to so many of you, it is increasingly apparent that it will become a platform on which building conservation reaches a new level, and provides all of us with a focus to raise standards and infect a new generation with the passion we collectively share.

Our new organisation, Historic Environment Scotland, will place conservation at its core and strengthen our resolve to improve. I believe that the creation of Historic Environment Scotland and the build towards the Engine Shed in 2016 is an opportunity for us to do things differently. For me that means increased transparency, practising what we preach, sharing our knowledge and expertise but, most importantly, continuing to build on an ever-growing network of collaborators and partners. We have done a great deal to break down barriers, address the challenges of a changing climate, and demonstrate that traditional forms of construction are entirely relevant, truly sustainable and increasingly recognised as being healthy for their occupants.

We need to use the resources to hand to continue to be ambitious, confident and respectful in what we do.

These are challenging times, but that’s when you have to dig deepest, really prioritise, and remember that we need to play a long game.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

The Blackhouse of Arnol, Lewis

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COLLECTIONS

Tape weaving loom, Stanley Mills

Portrait of James VI by Adrian Vanson, c.1585

Where did we put those medieval spectacles?

Historic Scotland is putting its collection online and this resource has already resulted in new discoveries as Collections Registrar Hugh Morrison finds out

Hugh Morrison

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

hugh.morrison@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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Pictish carving from St Vigeans Museum, Angus

Cliabh (creel) for carrying peats, the Blackhouse, Arnol

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istoric Scotland’s collection is a valuable but highly dispersed resource. It would take several weeks just to visit over 160 properties and stores across Scotland to see it. Faced with the challenge of making this resource more accessible, Historic Scotland’s Collections Unit has just launched a new online catalogue that also enables you to browse and study key objects online.

The collection covers an enormous range of items, from Neolithic bone artefacts found at Skara Brae to 20th century industrial machinery at Stanley Mills.

Most of these objects feature in site-based displays as evidence of how people occupied and used these places through time. Now that many of these key exhibits are online, you can easily access and explore them as part of the whole collection wherever they are displayed.

Using simple and advanced search options, you can call up specific objects or related groups of objects such as architectural stones, cannons, furniture and ship models. You can then view selected object records individually to reveal more detail about their histories.

These records are also linked to information about the properties where the objects are displayed.

The collection has great potential to be studied online alongside material in national and international collections. It contains significant collections such as early medieval carved stones, paintings and pottery that are dispersed throughout Scotland. Publishing the collection more widely can also lead to unexpected discoveries. A sharp-eyed New York ophthalmologist got in touch with us to explain that a curved fragment of bone on display at Melrose Abbey came from a very rare pair of medieval rivet spectacles. This and other new discoveries can now be seen on the new site.

Putting objects online also provides the opportunity to feature items that are not on public display while they are undergoing conservation, in storage or out on loan. Recently, a collection of light-sensitive archaeological illustrations by Alan Sorrell (1904-1974) was taken off display to prevent them from fading. All these artworks have now been conserved, digitised and put online and can be viewed as a virtual collection.

With more than 32,000 objects to be added, there is plenty more to look out for. We are keen to receive your comments and feedback to help us improve this site via the ‘Contact us’ link at the foot of the website.

You can explore Historic Scotland’s collections at collections.historic-scotland.gov.uk

TRADITIONAL SKILLS

John Reid is proud he can compete at international level

Carving up the competition We speak to newly appointed stonemasons John Reid and Connor Crawford about showcasing their talents in the 43rd WorldSkills competition

I enjoy the competitions and I like the challenging stones you get to cut. The best thing I’ve done is being able to compete at a world level as not many people can say they’ve managed to get that far

John Reid

I’ve done is being able to compete at a world level, as not many people can say they’ve managed to get that far.”

For Connor, who recently participated in the EuroSkills 2014 Competition in France, these events mean taking every opportunity to fine-tune your craft.

“It’s a case of training from now until May,” he explains. “When I go home at the end of the day, I’m trying to do a bit of stone carving as well just to keep my hand in and practise.”

Graham Campbell, training manager at Historic Scotland’s Elgin Depot, says: “Both John and Connor have been working extremely hard to get to this point, and no matter what happens in May, they have both done themselves and Historic Scotland proud in getting this far.”

Below: Connor Crawford is in a programme of rigorous training

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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wo recently time-served apprentice stonemasons are putting their talents to the test for the chance to cut their stones in the sunshine of São Paulo next summer.

John Reid from Elgin and Connor Crawford from Lochgilpead completed their apprenticeships in August 2014 at Historic Scotland’s Elgin Training Centre and are now in contention for a place at the 43rd WorldSkills Competition, which provides a platform for young people to demonstrate their excellence in skilled trades.

The last remaining position in Team GB will be announced in May, following a rigorous programme of preparation and training. John and Connor are familiar with the pressures of the selection process, having competed at local, national and international levels during the course of their apprenticeships.

John says: “I enjoy the competitions and I like the challenging stones you get to cut. The best thing

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TRADITIONAL SKILLS

Creating skills for the future Recent placements have joined the Skills for the Future bursary scheme, which aims to address the traditional building skills gap. By Gillian Ferguson

Gillian Ferguson

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

gillian.ferguson@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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he Heritage Lottery Fund backed Skills for the Future bursary scheme managed by Historic Scotland has seen some exciting year-long training placements created with a wide range of heritage organisations and specialist contractors throughout Scotland.

The scheme provides vocational training placements where bursary holders gain an experience of traditional crafts while improving employability skills.

The Skills for the Future scheme continues to diversify the future workforce for the heritage sector, encouraging applications from those who may not have considered joining the heritage field to help fill the skills gap of those who understand traditional buildings and structures.

Recent placements include Heritage Engineering trainees Sandra Hunter, based with Knockando Woolmill Trust in Moray; and Angus Harkness, hosted

by Scottish Canals based at its Falkirk depot. Angus had been a volunteer with Scottish Waterways Trust through its Canal College before applying for the yearlong bursary placement. He has shown a real interest and aptitude for the maintenance and repairs to the stone structures within the canal system – so much so that Scottish Canals has committed to employing him as a stonemasonry apprentice once his bursary placement is completed.

Two further bursary holders are in place with Historic Scotland’s Digital Documentation team.

Evangelia Karali and Stacie Allan are working on the Rae project to digitally document all of the 345 monuments in the care of Historic Scotland.

Skills for the Future also recently welcomed its first traditional joinery bursary holder, Rowen Baird.

Our youngest bursary holder, having just turned 18, Rowen was keen to gain a practical trade and to work with traditional buildings. He is placed with Andrew Miller Architectural Joiners, based in Stirling.

Heritage Engineering trainee Angus Harkness (left)

TRADITIONAL SKILLS

Masonry Training at Forth Valley Our new training centre is building on the success of our Elgin centre, says Training Manager Charles Jones

charles.jones@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Stacie Allan documenting Stirling Palace

Our youngest bursary holder Rowen Baird

The Skills for the Future scheme continues to diversify the future workforce

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Charles Jones

It has been a busy year for staff at Forth Valley College in Stirling. The National Progression Award in Conservation of Stonemasonry has been delivered in Scotland for more than five years and has trained nearly 350 craft operatives.

Two years after the training centre was established at Forth Valley College, the first batch of new apprentices have qualified, with some impressive achievements. Apprentices Michael Renshaw (Historic Scotland) and David Robinson (FBM Contracts), who trained at Forth Valley, won the Intercollege Apprentice Stonemasonry Competition sponsored

by Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Historic Scotland.

Forth Valley has also been delivering ‘mobile’ conservation and repair training in Northern Ireland.

Training Officer Innes Drummond and I delivered the National Progression Award in Conservation of Masonry for a team of Historic Scotland HLF bursary holders and employees of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) in Moira, Northern Ireland.

Last March, NIEA asked if Forth Valley could deliver a training programme for its technical staff on the selection, preparation and use of lime washes and additives that can be used in exposed locations.

Forth Valley has also delivered short courses on behalf of National Trust NI and CITB NI, advising building professionals on the selection, preparation and use of lime mortars. We have also offered a training course for contractors on the correct selection and mixing of lime mortars for building repair.

Delivery in Northern Ireland of the National Progression Award and other courses is a first for Historic Scotland through the Engine Shed Project.

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CONSERVATION

The Queen opened the new garden on Edinburgh’s Castle Rock to commemorate the WWI centenary, reports David Storrar

Contemplating a garden of commemoration

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www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

new Garden of Contemplation, formed in the north-west corner of the grounds of the Scottish National War Memorial, on the summit of Castle Rock was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 3 July 2014.

The War Memorial building, designed by Sir Robert Lorimer, was opened by the Prince of Wales on 14 July 1927. King George V and Queen Mary also attended the ceremony and gifted the Shrine Casket to the people of Scotland.

In 2013, the Chairman of the Trustees of the Memorial, Major General Mark Strudwick, initiated discussions with Historic Scotland regarding possible ways of marking the centenary of the Great War. A review of archive information held by the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) unearthed an early design drawing for the North Terrace that showed a pathway and steps through the garden area. This provided the catalyst for exploring ways of providing usable accessible space within the garden.

Several options were drawn up for the formation of a new garden of commemoration, where visitors could pause for a moment of quiet reflection, and the agreed scheme received Scheduled Monument Clearance on 16 May 2014. Site works commenced immediately.

Over 100 tonnes of spoil were removed under archaeological

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Several options were drawn up for the formation of a garden of commemoration, where visitors could pause for a moment of quiet reflection

Above: The Queen meets Major General Mark Strudwick Below: The opening ceremony of the Contemplation Gardens

David Storrar

david.storrar@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The Queen was presented with a replica of Seraphiel

supervision. Works were suspended temporarily when building remains were uncovered, which were found to be remnants of the footings of a 19th century cookhouse.

A gap in the existing rock outcrop provided a perfect access into the lowered area, and the designers decided to use basalt (known as whinstone) for the main features, as it is the same material as Castle Rock.

Details of the curved and polished whinstone benches used elements of Lorimer’s sketches. Whin setts were laid in a radiused pattern to draw attention to a central commemorative bronze plaque.

The alloy for this plaque contained donated elements from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

East-facing rendering of the memorial garden

All works, from design to completion, were carried out

by Historic Scotland’s in-house professional and technical teams, Monument Conservation Unit, and Parks and Gardens staff, apart from the polished bench and plinth elements, which were sourced from Tradstocks Ltd, Stirling, and the bronze plaque sourced from Archibald Young Ltd, Founders.

At the opening, Her Majesty was presented with a copy of Duncan Macmillan’s new book, Scotland’s Shrine: The Scottish National War Memorial, and a cast resin-bronze replica of Seraphiel, one of the four Archangels guarding the Shrine Casket, made by Historic Scotland Specialist Conservator Colin Muir.

CONSERVATION The Grand Fountain before restoration

The life-sized walruses are just one of the Grand Fountain’s striking features

Restoring the Grand Fountain Ali Davey explains how the 30-foot Grand Fountain in Paisley Fountain Gardens was returned to its former glory

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n June 1868, 300 employees of George Smith & Co.’s Sun Foundry were brought from Glasgow by a specially commissioned train to the grand inauguration ceremonies of Paisley Fountain Gardens.

The firm had manufactured the astonishing centrepiece of the gardens, the aptly named Grand Fountain. This was a 30-foot cast

Ali Davey

ali.davey@scotland. gsi.gov.uk

iron fountain with three tiers that were home to aquatic plants, herons, cherubs, alligators, sealions and even life-sized walruses.

Contemporary accounts describe the fountain in great detail and give a tantalising account of the opening celebrations of the gardens. A procession of hundreds of people including dignitaries, trade guilds and marching bands took hours to

make their way through the town centre to the gardens for the grand opening. The fountain (as well as the gardens) had been gifted to the people of Paisley by the Coates family of thread makers.

By the start of the 21st century, this important A-listed fountain, and the only known example of George Smith & Co’s No.1 fountain, was in need of repair. Renfrewshire Council secured funding of £650,000 (a combination of Renfrewshire Council, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland funding) and contracted Lost Art to restore the fountain. Work began in the summer of 2013. The fountain was completely dismantled and removed to workshops so it could be thoroughly cleaned, repaired and repainted in controlled conditions.

The complex colour scheme devised by renowned Glasgowborn artist and designer Daniel Cottier (1837–1891) was faithfully recreated, thanks to research

by Historic Scotland and much experimentation by the contractor.

Cottier was an exponent of the Aesthetic movement, and was hugely influential on decorative tastes both in the UK and America.

A specialist pattern maker was brought in to create patterns that were used to remake the missing walrus tusks in cast iron. A new pumping system was also installed so that the fountain is once again fully functional and ready for young paddlers! The restored Grand Fountain was officially switched on during a Victorian tea party in its honour on 6 September 2014.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

A specialist pattern maker was brought in to create patterns that were used to remake the missing walrus tusks in cast iron

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CONSERVATION

Perthshire town’s colourful railings give Ali Davey a glimpse of how other Scottish towns would have looked before World War II

A huge variety of finial designs can be found

Blairgowrie homeowners paint railings in their own choice of colour

Blairgowrie: a cast from the past

Ali Davey

ali.davey@scotland. gsi.gov.uk

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uch of Scotland’s heritage of domestic urban railings was swept away during the Second World War. However, in Blairgowrie the council dragged its heels, giving a variety of excuses to delay the removal of the town’s railings – successfully it would appear.

Thanks to its stalling tactics, Blairgowrie remains one of the few towns in Scotland to retain its original iron railings.

Each homeowner has chosen their own colour. This use of different colours is common in towns that retain their original railings

Notably, the town’s railings are painted in different colours. In large cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, railings tend to be painted in the same hue, usually black. In Blairgowrie, each homeowner has chosen their own colour.

This use of different colours is common in other towns that retain their original railings, such as Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis and Lerwick on Shetland. Most Blairgowrie railings are composed of cast iron bars with decorative finials. A huge variety of decorative finial designs can be found, and even the bars can differ between properties – some are square, some round, while others have barley twists.

Only a few examples of cast iron panels survive in the town

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Inspiring a new generation

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James MacPherson

james.macpherson@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Kisimul Castle is in the throes of some major conservation work. A ceremony to mark the finalisation of the lease between the Macneil of Barra and Historic Scotland took place on Barra in 2013, and Historic Scotland will overhaul the hall and chapel roofs and improve slipway access from Castlebay to the castle.

Considering the location of the castle, the logistics of carrying out this work are challenging, but the good relationship Historic Scotland has built with the community will facilitate the project. The Conservation team has carried out a

series of practical outreach projects on traditional materials and skills with the schools, while the Education team has run complementary activities for pupils.

The latest outreach project in June 2014 saw the building and firing of a limekiln in Castlebay. Local cockle shell was burned using peat as fuel to create lime in the traditional way to be used in the conservation of the castle.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority awarded Castle Bay school and Historic Scotland a prestigious SQA Star award for partnership working at a ceremony in Glasgow in November 2014.

in a variety of patterns. There are also some lovely examples of elegant early 20th-century wrought iron railings and gates, which are relatively rare across Scotland. Many of the houses also retain original cast iron finials and terminals.

Tracing railings to their manufacturer is difficult here, as only a few examples have their maker’s name cast into them. Nevertheless, some of the designs found in Blairgowrie can be matched to catalogue illustrations.

The surviving railings of Blairgowrie give us a tantalising glimpse into how our urban streets might once have looked.

If you would like to find out more, visit www.blairathistory.org

School pupils making lime

CLIMATE CHANGE

Stepping towards greater sustainability Historic Scotland’s carbon footprint shrank considerably last year, with an encouraging overall reduction in emissions of 18%. Carbon Manager Scott Brady has the details

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n August 2014, Historic Scotland published its third annual Sustainability Report and we are pleased to report a significant overall reduction in emissions of 18%, which included a 19% reduction in energy emissions and a 22% reduction in waste emissions.

A requirement by Government under the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties, the report provides a high-level summary of Historic Scotland’s carbon reduction performance so far. This is measured against the ambitious target set in our Carbon Management Plan, to reduce operational carbon emissions by 25%

by April 2015 in comparison to 2008-09 levels. The report focuses on the following key areas: building energy use, waste management, business travel and water consumption, as well as noting action on biodiversity, sustainable procurement and climate change adaptation.

The most significant reductions came from using less energy in our buildings. Last year, we used 16% less energy than we did in 2008-09, which means we exceeded our 2013-14 corporate key performance target to reduce energy consumption by 8%. This achievement can be attributed to factors including fabric interventions – for example, lighting and boiler improvements – staff awareness and milder weather.

Scott Brady

scott.brady@scotland. gsi.gov.uk

Historic Scotland’s 2013-14 Sustainability Report can be downloaded from our Climate Change blog: climatechangeblog.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Annual carbon performance

2013-14 carbon footprint 0.5%

The notable 22% reduction in Historic Scotland’s waste emissions was good news, although we still have a relatively low recycle rate of 41%. Resource Efficient Scotland’s new Carbon Metric Tool to recalculate waste emissions means that waste now forms 31% of our carbon footprint (rather than 5% reported in our 2011 Carbon Management Plan, which used the carbon metric values of the time), and this will be an area for future focus.

Business travel and water emissions form relatively smaller proportions of our overall carbon footprint (7.8% and 0.5% respectively). Travel emissions saw an 18% rise in 2013-14, but staff are opting to take more sustainable forms of transport, with a drop in air and hire car emissions, and an increase in rail and fleet. This area will be a focus over the coming years. Water emissions were reduced by 8%.

To achieve our final target, Historic Scotland will need to make a further reduction of 7% this year, which will be a challenge due to tighter budgets, unpredictable weather and fewer easily achievable methods.

12,000

7.8%

10,000

tCO2e

8000

30.5%

6000 4000 2000 0

2008-09

2011-12

2012-13

KEY Water Business travel Waste Energy

2013-14

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

61.2%

15

CLIMATE CHANGE

Above: Part of Rothesay Castle in a ruinous, overgrown state (photograph by Thomas Annan c.1880, copyright RCAHMS). Below: The site today following several periods of rebuilding and consolidation prior to it coming into state care in 1961. Without such intervention it is likely that significant parts of the structure would have been lost

Back to the future Looking at how we conserved monuments in the past could help us protect our heritage in the future, report Ewan Hyslop and Georgina Ritchie, and with Historic Scotland and RCAHMS joining forces, there are plenty of archival records to hand

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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e tend to think of our monuments as being ‘preserved in time’ and much effort is made to minimise changes to their appearance and fabric during ongoing care and conservation. Yet many monuments have already undergone significant changes and adaptation in the past to ensure their survival.

Climate change is focusing minds on our attitudes to conservation and forcing us to ask whether it is enough to continue with the current minimal ‘lighttouch’ or ‘hands-off’ approach to protecting sites, or whether we need to change our ways and intervene in a more proactive fashion. The way we treat monuments today will determine their future – and in considering this ‘future-proofing’ we should be aware of, and willing to learn from, some of the bolder interventions in the past.

A quick glance through the archives shows that much of what we think of today as historic or permanent is in fact a relatively recent intervention, often from the 20th century, where many monuments were stabilised or ‘made good’ (and in some cases substantially reconstructed). Most of these interventions were done with the best of intentions of

Ewan Hyslop

ewan.hyslop@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Georgina Ritchie georgina.ritchie@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

course; and, indeed, without them many monuments would likely not have survived to this day.

There are a number of key points which help to explain this, a fundamental one being that many monuments that exist as ruins lack the essential protection mechanisms they were meant to have – and they exist today in an artificial stasis in a way they were never designed to be. The most obvious example is roofless ruins, where open wallheads are vulnerable to water penetration and washing out of core mortar, which could lead to increased decay rates and even structural instability. Many historic structures are by their nature situated in exposed locations such as coastal sites or elevated positions, making them

Many monuments that exist as ruins lack the essential protection mechanisms they were meant to have – and they exist today in an artificial stasis in a way they were never designed to be

The 16th century Great Hall at Stirling Castle was in a poor state of repair in the 1960s. In the 1990s, Historic Scotland reinstated many original protective features such as waterspouts and lime harling, helping to increase resilience (see right)

CLIMATE CHANGE

In considering methods of increasing the resilience of historic sites, we can learn a great deal from looking at how monuments have changed over time, and examining earlier attempts at conservation

Above: Part of the wallhead of Bothwell Castle in 1899, showing loose masonry, uncontrolled vegetation growth and open joints (copyright RCAHMS) Below: Near-completed conservation works (2013) showing protective soft capping comprising a grass and sedum layer on an impermeable membrane over repointed and consolidated masonry. The recent capping project is the latest part of an ongoing programme of proactive repair and maintenance that has been necessary to retain the structure

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

particularly vulnerable to extremes of weather and, of course, climate change.

Scotland’s climate is changing. It has become wetter and warmer, sea level is increasing around the Scottish coast and extreme weather events are more common.

These trends are set to continue and accelerate as Scotland’s climate changes to warmer, drier summers and milder, wetter winters, but with severe events such as more intense rainfall and flooding. Threats to the historic environment may come in many forms, from catastrophic flash flooding and coastal erosion, to more gradual impacts resulting from increased rates of biological colonisation or harmful pests affecting timber and even masonry.

Despite appearances, it has always been necessary to take a proactive approach to ensure the continuation of our monuments, but never more so than now. In considering future methods of increasing the resilience of our historic sites, we can learn a great deal from looking at how monuments have changed over time, and examining earlier attempts at conservation (and adaptation). In other words, before we consider how we go forward in the light of climate change, it is worth asking how we got to where we are now.

Examination of material from various archival sources, including the extensive collections held by RCAHMS and Historic Scotland, is likely to reveal much useful information from a range of documents, such as plans and elevations, aerial photography and early (pre-photography) artistic engravings. An obvious benefit of the coming together of the two organisations is the ability to collate archive data for more comprehensive information on past changes to the historic environment in order to address the challenges of the future.

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TECHNICAL RESEARCH

Flooding can have a catastrophic impact on historic buildings

Tackling flood damage to historic buildings

Senior Technical Officer Jessica Snow considers methods for drying out traditional materials

Jessica Snow

jessica.snow@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

S

ome areas of Scotland have always suffered periodic flooding, and predictions for climate change indicate that inundation is likely to become an increasing problem over the coming decades. Flooding affects buildings indiscriminately, and typically follows periods of heavy and prolonged rainfall. Traditional buildings can be resilient to flood damage, as they tend to contain natural, porous materials such as stone, timber and lime, which can withstand a certain amount of wetting and drying, as long as the vapour permeability of the structure has not been previously compromised.

In older buildings, elements affected by flooding such as timber floorboards, panelling and plasterwork are sometimes damaged or removed during the clean-up phase, although the permeability of these materials can be advantageous once the flood water has subsided, as they are able to dry out. Such traditional materials can

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Securing lead on traditional buildings

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Lead is found widely in the traditional built environment – on flat roofs, ridge details, flashings and rainwater goods – and its theft is a significant problem. Unoccupied and easily accessible buildings are common targets; churches are particularly vulnerable.

As well as having a high salvage value, lead is often sought because it can be removed relatively easily.

Prevention methods often rely on deterring would-be thieves from accessing the leaded area, or raising the alarm once a theft is under way. This can come too late, though, and damage or theft may have already occurred.

One relatively new method of preventing lead theft is the use of additional fixing systems that physically secure the lead to the roof. Historic Scotland’s Technical Research team is trialling such a system on an A-listed Victorian Gothic church in Ayrshire. Trinity Church in Irvine had been empty for some years, and the flat lead roof of the entrance porch suffered from repeated thefts. As part of

be expensive to replace, so their retention and repair is usually desirable. However, organic materials such as timber are more susceptible to rot if they are left in a damp condition for extended periods, so it is important to dry a building as soon as possible.

Drying techniques include natural ventilation and heating, dehumidification and specialist ‘assisted drying’ methods. The most appropriate method will depend on the source and extent of the flooding, the level of damage, affected materials and the time of year.

A balanced approach should be taken, accepting that some damage to materials may result from using rapid drying techniques, but more extensive damage may result from materials remaining wet for long periods.

■ Further advice is available in a new INFORM Guide Flood Damage to Traditional Buildings, published in association with the Scottish Flood Forum. Visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/conservation to access this and other guides

a wider regeneration project, the church underwent repairs and improvements, and it was agreed that it would be a good place to trial the additional security fixings for the first time in Scotland. Since the installation over a year ago, no lead has been stolen from the church.

While fixing systems obviously increase the cost, the benefit in terms of reduced risk of theft, damage to the building and reduced insurance premiums means they are a valuable resource in the fight against lead theft.

Trinity Church

■ More information in Historic Scotland Short Guide 2 – Lead Theft: Guidance on Protecting Traditional Buildings. Visit www.historicscotland.gov.uk/conservation to access this and other guides

TECHNICAL RESEARCH

Shelter from a storm: conserving Scotland’s historic harbours Technical Research Manager Roger Curtis looks at forgotten landmarks of the Scottish coastline

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The harbour architecture is a defining feature of Stromness in Orkney

Repair works at St Andrews harbour in 2005

Roger Curtis

roger.curtis@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

also seeks to emphasise the importance of some of the adjacent material in a harbour landscape, such as boat hoists, winches, ladders and bollards.

A small pilot project has recently been completed in Stromness, where a local contractor and civil engineer delivered a successful programme of repairs to a harbour wall. In 2015 trial repair works will be documented on a Thomas Telford harbour in East Lothian, prior to the development of a scheme for a full repair programme in the future. A new Short Guide is planned to outline how such projects might be set up and the approaches that might be taken.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

hen most people think of the historic environment, they see buildings in various states of repair, yet it actually includes a wide range of functional structures, many of which form an essential part of our national infrastructure.

Several of these are well known, such as the Forth Bridge, the Caledonian Canal and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, but there are hundreds of small harbours, jetties and piers around the Scottish coastline that represent an important part of our history, and many of them are still in use.

Some of these structures were designed and built by well-known civil engineers using cutting-edge construction techniques of the day, while others were smaller vernacular structures built using local techniques and materials. Both types of design have to survive a harsh environment of continual wetting, storm damage and hydrostatic pressures, and in some cases adaptation to modern traffic and other modernday requirements. Such structures need ongoing programmes of care and maintenance if they are to remain viable. In many locations, their use by shipping may have passed, but they still provide an important architectural language for their surroundings.

Stromness harbour in Orkney is a particularly fine example of this.

The recent changing weather conditions and rising sea levels is putting additional pressure on these structures. Some that were previously sheltered are now more exposed than when designed – for example, Ham harbour in Caithness, an enclosed harbour built in the 1820s, has all but disappeared.

Historic Scotland has supported the repair of historic harbours for many years through the Building Repair Grants Scheme, and work has been completed in the last few years at St Andrews and Crail. As with other aspects of building conservation, the correct skills, techniques and materials are an important part of carrying out durable repairs and maintaining the special character of these often fragile marine structures. Historic Scotland is collating material from a number of repairs to historic harbour infrastructure, and recording techniques and ways of working on masonry harbour works. This work recognises regional differences in construction styles, materials and local traditions, as well as incorporating modern engineering oversight on the dynamics of such structures. The work

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ENGINE SHED

A 3D rendering of the Building Conservation Centre, which is due to open in 2016

Full steam ahead for Engine Shed

The development of Scotland’s Building Conservation Centre is underway, says Technical Outreach and Education Manager Dorothy Hoskins

Dorothy Hoskins

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

dorothy.hoskins @scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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T

he next phase of work on Scotland’s first centre for building conservation, the Engine Shed at Forthside in Stirling, has started.

The aim of the Engine Shed is to engage people with their built environment, whether they are a homeowner or heritage professional. By bringing conservation to life through a wide programme of courses, lectures, activities and a range of events, it will enthuse people about the buildings that surround them, celebrate the materials and skills that built them and explain how they should be looked after.

The project had secured funding from the Scottish Government in 2013 and the European Regional Development Fund in early 2014. A successful secondround application to the Heritage Lottery Fund in November 2014 completed the funding jigsaw to allow the project to move on to the delivery phase.

Extensive development work took place throughout 2014, with more than 700 external stakeholders commenting on and feeding into plans. This feedback

The history behind the name There has been extensive debate about the name of the Engine Shed, particularly in light of research which indicates that the building was formally used as a “pug shed” within the extensive military development

led to alterations in the proposal, including changing the name from National Conservation Centre to the more welcoming Engine Shed: Scotland’s Building Conservation Centre.

Audience development work has led to an activity plan for the project that has something for everyone – whether they want to discover traditional building skills, learn more about materials used in buildings, or are simply looking to spend time in a fun and interesting place.

The spine of activity at the centre will be the delivery of a postgraduate qualification in technical building conservation with modules focusing on specific topics or materials and delivered through a variety of lectures, self-study, demonstrations, hands-on practicals and field trips. Modules will also be available as individual units for CPD and the topics followed by the course will feed through into seminars, workshops and guest lectures available at the centre.

In addition to these formal learning opportunities, a wide range of informal interactive learning activities will be available to the public, homeowners and children. These activities will range from the permanent interactive interpretation at the Shed to activity boxes focusing on everything from surveying and measuring, to bridge building and engineering.

While the Engine Shed will be the hub for all this activity, it will also be delivered at other Historic

in Forthside. This research has been supplemented with the knowledge of local people who remember the building in use and steam enthusiasts. We also have maps showing the rail links between the buildings on the site.

The Engine Shed name has been chosen as a dynamic and engaging brand, which reflects how people in the local area

refer to the building and the heritage of the Forthside area.

The interpretation within the building will recognise and display the extensive network of buildings and rail heritage within Forthside and we will have clear information on our website about how the building, and Forthside as a whole, was used by the military.

ENGINE SHED

Conservation Centre to offer postgrad courses The Engine Shed plans to attract graduates and provide qualifications in technical building conservation, explains Colin Tennant, Head of Skills and Materials

Scotland sites and with partner organisations across the country. This ‘hub and spokes’ model of delivery will be a two-way process, with Engine Shed resources made available to partners and the opportunity for others to showcase and promote their work at the Engine Shed itself.

Plans are also underway to develop a virtual learning environment that will enable a national and international reach for the centre through courses and webinars.

With the funding now in place, the project will move onto its next phase with a site start in the spring. The building is scheduled to open in summer 2016, but over the next year, as well as finalising the conservation qualification course, the centre will be developing pilot workshops, projects and activities, and testing these with audiences ahead of the opening.

Details of forthcoming events will be found on the Historic Scotland website, or you can sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with developments on the Engine Shed project.

The project has something for everyone – whether they want to discover traditional building skills, learn more about materials, or are looking to spend time in a fun and interesting place

The Engine Shed welcomed over 600 visitors in September 2014 as part of Stirling Doors Open Day

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

A mock-up of the interior

Fundamental to the Engine Shed project is the development by Historic Scotland and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) of a postgraduate course in technical building conservation.

Created to provide Colin Tennant comprehensive technical colin.tennant@ and vocational training for scotland.gsi.gov.uk an emerging generation of conservation professionals in a form currently unavailable in Scotland, the course will attract new graduates from related building disciplines, as well as experienced practitioners seeking to broaden their understanding of conservation principles and practices.

Drawing on the expertise of an international network of experienced practitioners, the course will outline the theory, ethics and practices of conservation, examine the nature, use and conservation of traditional building materials, explore ways of undertaking practical repair and maintenance work, as well as studying current methods of upgrading, adapting and managing the historic environment.

Forming the nucleus of the Engine Shed’s educational and outreach activities, the course will be complemented by a range of public events such as exhibitions, lectures, CPD seminars and demonstrations.

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APPLIED CONSERVATION

When conservation in situ is no longer viable, we sometimes relocate or protect high status stonework. Colin Muir explains the process and recent developments

Making a good first impression www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

T

22

he crowning glory of many buildings and monuments is their finely carved stones.

When these features can no longer be preserved safely in situ, ideally they will be removed and stored, or displayed within a protected, indoor and local environment.

In this way, original historic fabric can be conserved for future study and display. However, the removal of such a feature can leave not just a physical hole in the structure but a contextual one as well.

In some cases, to retain the aesthetic integrity of a site, it is desirable to replace the original with a convincing facsimile. In an attempt to avoid the sometimes speculative restorations of our forebears, the desire now is to only replace such losses with exact replicas of what was actually there. This is frequently achieved using traditional moulding and casting techniques, but now these methods are also supplemented by 3D scanning technology, and fabrication from digital data. The latter has the advantage of being a non-contact process (unlike casting) and poses no threat to fragile surfaces.

Colin Muir

colin.muir@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Dunadd rock carving with protective replica removed

Bridgeness Slab replica CNC milled from stone

Replicas have taken many forms and materials over the years. High-quality cementitious castings were used in works to the Linlithgow fountain in the 1920s. Today, glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) is most commonly used, as it is largely inert and has proven durable over decades of UV exposure – for example, in the Annunciation Stone cast at Dunfermline Palace.

Specialist low-salt, mineral products such as ‘Mineros’ and ‘Fibre-Concrete’ have also been used for replicas at Dunadd and Lincluden respectively, the latter used so as to be fire-proof and vandal resistant. There is huge potential for replication opened up by 3D printing and computer numerical control (CNC)-machining. Wax models can be printed to then be cast in metal, while a sculptural feature can be CNC-milled out of a variety of materials, including stone that matches the original, such as that used in the Bridgeness Slab replica.

Replicas are used within Historic Scotland as replaceable sacrificial surrogates, as interactive exhibition resources that enable handling, as a means of remote academic study, and as the basis of site-specific merchandise.

APPLIED CONSERVATION

Analysing painted panels in Edinburgh Castle An examination of one of the building’s most important chambers reveals much about the methods and materials used, finds Damiana Magris

Damiana Magris damiana.magris@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

T

he Royal Birthing Room in Edinburgh Castle is the small apartment entered from the chamber in which Prince James was born to Mary Queen of Scots in 1566. Known as Queen Mary’s room, it was painted by John Anderson in 1617 to commemorate King James’s return to his birthplace. In 2013, the painted panelling and ceiling underwent conservation treatment, involving a range of preliminary analysis, including archival documents describing previous restorations in 1693, 1849, 1940 and 1988.

To gather information about the technique used by the original artist and identify possible non-original layers, small samples of paint were taken from different areas of the painted ceiling. These were examined in cross section using an optical microscope, microchemical spot tests and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to identify pigments and the binding media.

Most of the samples show two distinct paint schemes, and at present we can’t estimate how much of the earliest and original paint scheme survives.

The analysis indicates the use of a white chalk ground to cover the bare panels followed by a white priming. The XRF and cross-section analyses allow the painter’s palette to be determined, revealing lead white, yellow and red ochre, vermilion, green earth, natural ultramarine blue and carbon black.

Considering the decoration was painted for the return of King James, the use of expensive pigments such as natural ultramarine blue is unsurprising. However,

Cross-section of blue paint sample

contrary to what we would expect, the use of precious materials, such as gold leaf, was undetected during the investigation. Media staining tests indicate a size-based medium was used for the earliest paint layer; watermiscible binder known as distemper was historically used for painting on timber. It might be possible that the oil-based technique mentioned in several literature references refers to later restoration works, maybe in 1849 and/or 1940, which involved extensive retouching.

The paint layer has been visibly affected by localised flaking and subsequent loss of paint in places. Once the flaking paint was secured, a conspicuous deposit of dust and cobwebs was removed from the painted surfaces. The surfaces were also generally darkened, mainly due to a heavy discolouration of the thick varnish layers, which were thinned during the cleaning process. A thin layer of new varnish was applied by brush onto the recently cleaned painted surfaces and the small paint losses were in-painted.

Particular attention has to be paid to the control of the environment. Both extremes and fluctuation in temperature and relative humidity must be avoided, as this is the major cause of deterioration to a wide range of artworks, and must be monitored to ensure optimal conditions for preservation.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

General view of the painted panelling after conservation

23

SCOTTISH TEN

An update from Dr Lyn Wilson on the digital capture project that has recently concluded its fieldwork phase

The Scottish Ten: Progress in 2014 The Scottish Ten is an ambitious five-year programme that sees Historic Scotland and the Digital Design Studio at The Glasgow School of Art digitally document in 3D Scotland’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and five international heritage sites. Scottish Ten data will be disseminated via our US partner CyArk’s digital archive.

Dr Lyn Wilson

lyn.wilson@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

I

t’s hard to believe we are now in the final year of data collection for the Scottish Ten project. The team has been on quite a journey since we began back in 2009. We’ve taken the project across Scotland’s World Heritage Sites and to the US, India, China, Australia and now Japan, building friendships and partnerships along the way.

THE HEART OF NEOLITHIC ORKNEY

Tying into the Heart of Neolithic Orkney Management Plan, we worked with our conservation colleagues in spring 2014 to digitally document the sea wall at Skara Brae. We will monitor the wall’s condition using laser scanning and compare results every two to four years to check for coastal erosion. At Maeshowe, we have used our detailed Scottish Ten scans of Viking carvings to complete a project to monitor their condition. We compared measurements in our scans with those from earlier periods of scanning and are happy to report that we detected no erosion.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

OLD AND NEW TOWNS OF EDINBURGH

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In April, the team returned to Edinburgh to digitally document further areas of the city. Previously, we scanned and modelled the Royal Mile and Charlotte Square, and this time we concentrated on Calton Hill’s monuments: the former Royal High School and the imposing Art Deco St Andrew’s House. The highresolution data captured is being fed into an urban city model we are developing for the World Heritage area, and it is our hope that this will be used to inform urban planning and heritage management.

THE ANTONINE WALL

We have been busy recording Roman artefacts found at Antonine Wall sites and now in the collections of the Hunterian and Falkirk museums. Some of the objects, such as a leather shoe, only survive in fragments, so we have worked with Roman archaeology experts to accurately virtually reconstruct them. We have taken this a step further by scanning stone columns, then

Stuart Deasley from Historic Scotland and Sam Ramsay from The Glasgow School of Art laser scanning on the Giant Cantilever Crane in Nagasaki, Japan

SCOTTISH TEN

Photorealistic model of St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, created from accurate 3D laser scanning

First 3D laserscanned point cloud data from the Nagasaki Giant Cantilever Crane

virtually reconstructing the buildings they would have been part of. These can be seen in the stunning new Antonine Wall website (www.antoninewall.org). We are also 3D printing some of our digital models to allow people to handle replicas, and using the models for augmented reality viewers in a new mobile app. We are also developing a real-time explorable model of Bar Hill Fort that uses gaming engines, which will be lots of fun and educational. Finally, analysis of the Antonine Wall aerial LiDAR data shows potential to discover new archaeological features. We will be taking this research forward next year in partnership with universities.

NAGASAKI’S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE, JAPAN

Our Cabinet Secretary announced the final international site, the Giant Cantilever Crane in Nagasaki, Japan, at the Edinburgh International Culture

WHAT NEXT?

The end of the fieldwork phase of the Scottish Ten, and the beginning of phase two come in 2015: further processing of our digital data, repurposing it in different uses and maximising the outputs. Technologies such as head-mounted displays and game engines are offering us exciting new ways to share virtual experiences of these fantastic heritage sites. We are also exploring app development as a way of disseminating data.

We will continue to promote research use of the Scottish Ten data – more than 12 separate research groups are using our 3D data in innovative ways – and keeping up with our active outreach programme.

We will also be expanding our digital documentation strategy to encompass one of Scotland’s tentative World Heritage Sites: the Forth Bridge will be our next monumental challenge.

Visit www.scottishten.org and www.cyark.org/themes/scottish-ten Follow us on Twitter @scottishten

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

We have taken the project across Scotland’s World Heritage Sites and to the US, India, China, Australia and now Japan, building friendships and partnerships along the way

Summit in August last year. Leading up to this, Head of Industrial Heritage Dr Miles Oglethorpe and I visited Japan and scoped out the potential project, building an excellent relationship with our partners, the Cabinet Secretariat of the Japanese Government, the Japan Foundation of National Congress of Industrial Heritage and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The Giant Cantilever Crane was built in Scotland in 1909, was shipped to Nagasaki, survived the atomic bombing and is still in use today in one of the world’s largest shipyards. It is one of the sites in Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution UNESCO World Heritage nomination. Visit www.kyuyama.jp/e/index.html As I write, we are currently on site in Nagasaki.

Besides the crane, we are digitally documenting the Kosuge Repair Dock, Mitsubishi No 3 Dry Dock and parts of Hashima coalmining island. These sites also have strong Scottish connections and are also part of the UNESCO nomination.

We were thrilled that a previous site, Rani ki Vav in India, was awarded full UNESCO World Heritage Status in June 2014, and our collaborative Scottish Ten project in 2011 was cited as a contributing factor in this success. We hope our current project will have a similar positive contribution to the Japanese UNESCO bid, and will provide virtual access to these sites and data for their ongoing conservation.

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INVESTING IN PEOPLE

Fellowships and internships with Historic Scotland are proving an invaluable experience and important cornerstone in building careers for those who have completed them

Where are they now?

RHIANN ANDERSON

Graduate Sustainability Consultant at Rybka Limited, Edinburgh Historic Scotland Climate Change Intern (June 2013 – September 2014) “I was an intern for the Climate Change team. I produced blogs for the climate change section of the website and helped the team with various administrative tasks. I was also looking into various ways of reducing energy use in buildings and how historic buildings did this in the past as well.

“I’m now working in Edinburgh as a sustainability consultant for a company called Rybka, focusing on new buildings and refurbishments, and ways to reduce energy in the context of mitigating climate change.

“My internship gave me a working background in sustainability, so it really kickstarted my career and helped me to really understand the field that I wanted to go into.”

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

EMILY HORNE

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Architectural Assistant at Purcell, York Historic Scotland Technical Research Group Volunteer (October 2012 – May 2013) “For the majority of my time with Historic Scotland, I was a volunteer in the Technical Conservation Group. I was involved in designing and building purpose-built training rigs that are

used as part of the energy efficiency course.

“It was helpful in establishing my interests in the technical and material aspects of conservation and it definitely guided me towards the positions I went into afterwards.

“I now work for Purcell, an architectural practice in York, which does a lot of work with historic buildings. My role is predominantly concerned with conservation work at Durham Cathedral, so I have been involved in stonework repair and conservation to the cathedral itself and the precinct buildings.”

KATIE HUMMELT

Preservation Specialist at Beyer Blinder Belle, Washington DC Historic Scotland Climate Change Intern (January 2012 – April 2013) “I’m with architectural and planning firm Beyer Blinder Belle in Washington DC, technically as an architectural historian, but also as a preservation specialist. We’ve done work for the National Parks Service and Architect of the Capitol. I’m working with the historic research and preservation aspects of a listed early 20th-century building in Philadelphia that we’re converting into a four-star hotel.

“My primary goal while I was with Historic Scotland was to research the use of micro-renewables, which was published as Short Guide 8: Microrenewables in the Historic Environment.”

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

DR JULIE EKLUND ACR

Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology Administrator at School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford Historic Scotland Knowledge Transfer Secondment (March 2012 - September 2012) “Before coming to Historic Scotland, I’d been a postdoc at Oxford University for about four years. There were various projects going on in the department and one had this knowledge transfer scheme associated with it.

“I do a lot of work on stone conservation and we’d been looking at various things associated with moisture problems, and the scheme was associated with a project specifically looking at greening of masonry.

“One of my main objectives while with Historic Scotland was trying to feed the research we’d been doing within our department directly to conservators.

“The biggest benefit was that it made me reconsider my career options. I’ve gone back to Oxford as a course administrator rather than in a lectureship or in another postdoc position. It was quite interesting to take a step away from the research to think more about the practicalities of what we do.”

JOHN ROBSON

Part 2 Architectural Assistant at Reiach and Hall Architects, Edinburgh Historic Scotland Volunteer Research Assistant (January 2013 – September 2013) “I’m a Part 2 architectural assistant at Reiach and Hall Architects, working on projects including conservation work. I’m hoping to become a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) through my experience in the professional world.

“For my few months with Historic Scotland, I assisted with technical papers and attended site visits with the Technical Research team, while looking at documents regarding energy efficiency legislation and the Green Deal. It was a great insight into the legislative context in which an architect works and how we manage change in the historic environment.”

LUCY O’CONNOR

Part 2 Architectural Assistant at LDN Architects, Edinburgh.

Historic Scotland Technical Research Intern (November 2013 – May 2014) “I spent six months working as an intern with the Conservation Group in 2014. My background is in architecture, and having previously worked only in architectural practice, I found this internship an eye-opening experience.

“I provided research and editorial assistance to the technical team, working on publications covering widely varying topics such as historic concrete, micro-renewables, and energy efficiency upgrades.

“Certainly the most beneficial aspect of my internship was the opportunity to work alongside so many knowledgeable people from varied backgrounds - academics, practitioners, scientists - providing me with a much broader understanding of the historic built environment.”

EMILY TRACEY

Building Stones Conservation Specialist at British Geological Survey, Edinburgh Historic Scotland Research Fellow on Indigenous Building Stones of Scotland (May 2008 – August 2011) “My research fellowship was funded by Historic Scotland while I was placed at the British Geological Survey, which is where I am now, to assist the building stone team here. I was helping them to research and identify original quarry sources for buildings that were in need of repair. During my time there, we managed to reopen Liddle’s Quarry in Orkney, Pitairlie Quarry in Angus and Drumhead Quarry in Denny.

“The biggest and most interesting thing that a lot of people aren’t aware of is how much materials will dictate architectural styles. The fact that Scotland has one of the most diverse geologies for a country of its size makes it a unique place.”

To find out more about internships with Historic Scotland please get in touch with us on hs.cgoutreach@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Julie sets up a weather station to monitor environmental conditions at a test site near Oxford

27

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

Practising what we preach Historic Scotland is delivering a series of training events, starting with stonemasonry repair, explains Conservation Scientist Dr Clare Torney

Dr Clare Torney

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

clare.torney@scotland. gsi.gov.uk

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A

t Historic Scotland, we take great pride in the work we do to keep Scotland’s built heritage safeguarded for the enjoyment of future generations. We are constantly striving to up-skill our staff, providing employees with the opportunity to increase their knowledge and giving them the level of understanding required to best play their role in the conservation of our Properties in Care. Following a successful pilot event at Fort George in spring 2013 and working with the masonry teams of North region, the Science and Skills and Materials teams have been rolling out a region-by-region training scheme.

The first in this series of events focuses on the repair of stone masonry, covering all aspects of the process from the identification and causes of stone deterioration to the philosophical implications of using different repair methodologies and the technical suitability of emerging proprietary products. The CPD-style events draw on the experience of Historic Scotland scientists and external building conservation consultants, giving our employees an awareness of the latest advances in masonry repair strategies based directly on our in-house scientific research, as well as research from further afield.

This empowers our Monument Conservation teams to tackle conservation issues head on with a considered and strategic approach.

The events help to open up communication channels between different areas of the Conservation Directorate so our research can be

The CPD-style events aim to give our employees an awareness of the latest advances in masonry repair strategies

The stonemasonry repair course will cover all aspects of the process

tailored to meet the needs of those facing on-site issues such as masonry deterioration in their day-to-day job.

This programme is provided for employees directly involved in the conservation and maintenance of our 345 Properties in Care, from stone masonry apprentices to regional architects. It aims to provide an in-depth knowledge of conservation topics that will help them safeguard our built heritage in the most effective ways.

INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE

Celebrating Glasgow’s giants – in Japan Dr Miles Oglethorpe gets up close with the iconic Giant Cantilever Crane in Nagasaki, Japan

Recording the Giant Cantilever Crane in Nagasaki from a boat

Maker’s name plaque located on the tower of the Crane

Scanning team set up within the jib of the Crane

miles.oglethorpe@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Dr Miles Oglethorpe

T

here are few more potent symbols of the Clyde’s industrial pedigree than the shipyard crane, and the Giant Cantilever crane in particular. This extraordinary breed of cranes originated in Scotland, but became a global phenomenon in the 20th century, thanks to engineering companies like Sir William Arrol & Co, builders of the Tay Bridge and the Forth Bridge.

Yet I had no idea that, following the closure of Arrol’s Dalmarnock Iron Works in 1987, the ensuing rescue of a significant chunk of the company’s archive would yield so much information about these most majestic of engineering structures. At the time, I worked for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), and we had been advised that we should go immediately to Arrol’s works to rescue its records.

Among the randomised piles of drawings and photographs, we found records of Giant Cantilever cranes, but their significance was not obvious to us until we enlisted the help of Dr Brian Newman, whose years of painstaking research on these cranes proved invaluable.

Now we are reaping the benefits of Brian’s advice, which was instrumental in the choice of the final Scottish Ten site, the Giant Cantilever Crane in Nagasaki, Japan. Designed by Appleby (owned by the Glasgow Electric Crane and Hoist Company, and later taken over by Arrol) and fabricated by Motherwell Bridge, the crane commenced operation in 1909 and is still working today. It is also included in Japan’s latest World Heritage nomination, which comprises a group of industrial heritage sites associated with Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.

Digitally documenting such a large and complex steel structure has posed many challenges, but it has been an extraordinary experience. It may be huge in scale, but it is a highly sophisticated installation designed to lift into ships with great gentleness and accuracy expensive and fragile pieces of equipment, such as boilers and engines, up to 150 tons. Capturing the detail of the structure, and all of the plant within it, is a complicated task likely to require over two hundred separate scans, all of which have to be tied together afterwards to create a 3D model.

The results should be a valuable asset that will help the long-term conservation of the crane, assist the World Heritage nomination, and permit virtual access to the structure. The latter is especially important since Mitsubishi has looked after the crane so well it is still in daily use and cannot be visited by the public.

For more on the Scottish Ten, see page 24

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www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

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FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

Welcome to FOCUS ON APPLIED RESEARCH, in which you will find examples of recent projects where research has been applied to inform our understanding and approach to conservation in a number of different topics and at a range of sites.

One of our PhD students, Connie Gerrow, describes her research on the use of poultices to remove damaging salts from historic stone.

Conservation scientist Alick Leslie gives an update on state-of-the-art non-destructive testing, which allows detailed analysis of a building without actually touching it; and their application is described by Maureen Young and Bruce Chandler at the National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. Another member of our Science Team, Clare Torney describes how her research is shedding light on the controversial topic of restoration mortars for stone repairs.

Joint working between our Science and Applied Conservation teams has helped inform the conservation of historic painted surfaces in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and, working with National Trust for Scotland, on the unique Pineapple Building at Dunmore. The Collections Team report on analysis of 16th century timber panels from Edzell Castle, and how working with historic glass expert Robin Murdoch has provided new information on the significance of a collection of glass shards found near Elgin Cathedral.

Talking of unique artefacts, James Hepher explains how the 16th century Elizabeth I prayer book has been analysed and documented using state-of-the-art technology in partnership with National Records of Scotland. Another exciting project is the digital reconstruction of Robert the Bruce’s tomb from only 19 small fragments, forming part of an ongoing project with RCAHMS

and CDDV into understanding this iconic object.

One of our priorities in the care and protection of Scotland’s historic environment is the continual development and improvement of knowledge and its application to support conservation techniques and skills. Historic Scotland’s Technical Research Plan, which you can access on the conservation website at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/ conservation, outlines our approach to research, and is always evolving to reflect current and emerging issues. Our research themes not only take into account our own requirements for the conservation of Properties in Care, but also the needs of the wider sector, resulting in a huge range of topics.

We can’t do all this on our own, so much of our work involves partnerships with others across academia, industry and the professions.

Research needs to be disseminated, and we are passionate promoters of applied research through our events and publications. Our Technical Resources catalogue included in this magazine lists the range of material available, including Technical Papers and Research Reports targeted to a specialist audience, and our Informs and Short Guides designed more for the public and homeowners.

There is simply not enough space to showcase all the projects that we would like to in this magazine; but we hope you find the works in this section as fascinating as we do. Should you wish to get in touch about any of these projects or would like to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us on hs.outreach@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Dr Ewan Hyslop, Head of Sustainability, Research and Technical Education

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Introduction

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FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

A team of academic researchers has been exploring how we perceive the value of ageing on buildings

Growing old gracefully?

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

The Hill House in Helensburgh

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ime not only affects organic organisms such as us humans: inanimate objects including buildings are also subject to ageing, manifested in the transformation of building materials over time. Elements that form the fabric of the building can develop a patina, or crust. These signs of age can be perceived in different ways depending who the viewer is; they add an age value that can not be replicated any other way.

The expectations about the aesthetics of historic buildings change over time and in different contexts.

To gain insight into this, a team of researchers has been measuring how people perceive older buildings. The project, Materiality, Authenticity and Value, started in 2013, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Science and Heritage programme. The research team of four worked with Historic Scotland

Skelmorlie Aisle, Largs Old Kirk

FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

Rachel Douglas-Jones rdoj@itu.dk

John Hughes john.hughes@ uws.ac.uk

Sian Jones

sian.jones@ manchester.ac.uk

Thomas Yarrow t.g.yarrow@ durham.ac.uk

and the National Trust for Scotland to select three sites that reflect differences in terms of location, longevity and architectural style: Hill House, Helensburgh, Skelmorlie Aisle of Largs Old Kirk, and Dryburgh Abbey, Melrose.

Monument managers, architects, conservators, heritage scientists and visitors were asked for their thoughts on the signs of ageing on a building. The interviews took into consideration not only their opinions but also the relationship the individuals had with the building. To complete the research, the team also looked into documents such as visitor feedback, conservation reports and significance assessments.

Overall, interviewees felt that signs of ageing, weathering and decay added significance to the value of a building, marking the passage of time and influence of nature. For visitors, signs of human use such as worn stairs added additional value in terms of experience

of authenticity. While this material transformation was interpreted as adding value to a building, signs of decay were associated with loss of building and the significance associated with it. The findings revealed that decay had different connotations in different contexts.

While the decay at a medieval ruin like Dryburgh Abbey was considered integral to the aesthetic of the building, the same would not be accepted on a ‘modern’ building such as Mackintosh’s Hill House.

Perhaps the most surprising result was that people working in the heritage industry had different views of the value of decay. Conservators and heritage scientists saw decay as a technical problem that requires investigation, while heritage managers and conservation architects associated material transformation with a more positive set of values.

The results showed an overlap between the views of the heritage professionals and the visitors when looking at the role of conservation science and material transformation. It appears that although the contribution of heritage science was recognised, there were concerns about the application of conservation materials that were associated with loss of authenticity and detrimental to the aesthetics of the buildings.

Significantly, there was also a broader antipathy to the ‘artificial’ arrest of a ‘natural’ ageing process.

The results suggest that there is not a set relationship between the types of decay that are valued and those that are not, and that different materials at different sites may be interpreted differently depending on the viewer.

The architecture, design and materials that make up a building inform attitudes towards its decay, validating the commonly followed ‘site-by-site’ conservation practice, although this rarely extends to the specific values associated with material transformation itself.

After analysing the results of the research, the team put forward three key recommendations: l There is potential for greater consideration of how science both affects and responds to the values attached to material change. l The existence of distinct but often implicit differences of orientations between the various professionals involved highlights the need for institutional mechanisms to promote wider discussion to explore different values and approaches. l The socially and contextually relative nature of the values attached to material transformation reveals the potential for greater use of social research as a way of understanding and managing conflicting assessment of values.

More information about the research and the report can be found at www.uws.ac.uk/mavproject Historic Scotland’s Growing Old Gracefully INFORM Guide is a great introduction to this fascinating topic and can be accessed from the technical conservation website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/conservation

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

The results of the research suggest that there is not a set relationship between the types of decay that are valued and those that are not

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Robert the Bruce modelled his tomb on those of his French royal contemporaries

PIC: Centre for Digital Documentation and Visualisation LLP

FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

Robert the Bruce Tomb reconstructed in 3D

Putting together the pieces of a 686-year-old puzzle, RCAHMS Cataloguing Programme Manager Dr Iain Fraser on how Historic Scotland and RCAHMS unearthed the story behind the old king’s coffin

Dr Iain Fraser

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

iain.fraser@rcahms. gov.uk

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O

ver the last year, Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) have been working together with partners from across the Scottish heritage sector to study, analyse and reconstruct the tomb monument of Robert the Bruce. Medieval records tell us that the tomb was commissioned from workshops in Paris, and shipped to Dunfermline Abbey where it was erected over the king’s grave after his death in 1329. The monument was later destroyed, probably in the aftermath of the Reformation, and all visible traces were lost. However, between about 1790 and 1820, excavations in the area of the ruined choir began to turn up carved fragments of a distinctive white stone, believed to be pieces of the lost tomb. These fragments are now held in the collections of National Museums Scotland, the Hunterian Museum, Dunfermline Museum and Abbotsford House.

So what remains do we have? There are 19 small pieces of the white stone, which has been confirmed as a true marble and points to its exotic origin. It is likely that in importing a monument from France, Bruce sought to emulate his French royal contemporaries, and that their tombs at St Denis would have been the model for that at Dunfermline. Fortunately, detailed drawings survive of the French tombs prior to their destruction during the Revolution; these adopted a conventional design of a white marble effigy, framed by an architectural canopy, reclining on a black marble tombchest with applied white marble arcading.

The Dunfermline pieces are fragments of pillars and capitals, lancets, gablets, arches, cusps and crockets, stylistically similar to surviving fragments of the French

royal tombs. Close study identified how these fragments related to each other, and gradually, by a process of trial and error, comparing the pieces against successively refined drawn reconstructions, revealed their place in the overall design. The fragments resolve into two groups: pieces of the canopy that framed the effigy, and of the tombchest arcade.

Colin Muir of Historic Scotland carried out 3D scanning of all the pieces. This data was then combined with traditional drawings by Craig Logan and Alastair Rawlinson of the Digital Design Studio of Glasgow School of Art to produce a 3D virtual reconstruction of the monument. The effigy itself has been lost, but it is likely to have taken the same form as the surviving ones of the French kings in St Denis. A research visit to Paris, funded by a grant from the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, gave the opportunity to carry out a detailed photographic survey of one of the effigies. These digital images were then used as a basis to virtually reconstruct the figure of King Robert recumbent on the tombchest.

Having started with a dispersed collection of shattered fragments, we now have a photorealistic 3D model of this impressive monument to an iconic national figure.

FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

Gigapixel photography and XRF let us get up close and personal with the 16th century prayer book made by Queen Elizabeth I. James Hepher and Linda Ramsay have the details

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n 2013-14, Historic Scotland’s Digital Documentation team joined Linda Ramsay, Head of Conservation at the National Records of Scotland (NRS) to use gigapixel photography to document the intricate detail of a mid-16th century prayer book made by Queen Elizabeth I. The prayer book (NRS ref. RH13/78) is bound in canvas with a blue and silk embroidered ground with raised coloured motifs, monograms and edging.

The book is an accomplished piece; the embroidery techniques give an insight into the wonderful costumes and textiles of the 16th century. Contents include a translation in Elizabeth’s hand of John Calvin’s

James Hepher

james.hepher@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Results of X-ray fluorescence undertaken on Elizabeth I prayer book 4

Gold (%)

3

Lettering Flower Spine

2

+0.4% copper

+5% copper +7% copper

1

0

88

92 90 Silver (%)

94

96

Linda Ramsay

linda.ramsay@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

A Gigapixel overview and detail of the front cover of the Elizabeth I prayer book

Institution de la Religion Chrétienne (Geneva, 1541), an indication of her scholarship. The cover would have been completed in the princess’ household – there is no doubt Elizabeth would have been expected to contribute her share of the work.

NRS commissioned a textile conservation condition report on the book in 2012 and approached Historic Scotland’s conservation scientists to assist with further non-destructive research.

Using portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), an instrument that analyses chemical elements in a sample, the metal threads were shown to be largely made of silver, with varying amounts of gold and copper. Lettering was 95% silver with 3% gold; the flowers 92% silver with 5% copper and 2% gold; and the spine had 88% silver with 7% copper and 2% gold.

Digital documentation of the prayer book was completed using Historic Scotland’s in-house GIGAmacro, an automated camera mount designed to capture and combine multiple high-resolution photographs in a 3D grid across the surface of the object. These devices can also capture the micro topography of an object.

Technology and collaboration is opening up the story behind the material construction of this fragile survivor.

This research project is the continuation of a successful series of collaborative projects between HS Conservation and NRS, including NRS’ recent support for the UNESCO bid for the Forth Bridge using original archival records.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Elizabeth I prayer book

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FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

Research on restoration mortars ongoing From off-the-shelf remedies to proprietary products, choosing materials to repair historic buildings continues to be a challenge

T

he use of proprietary restoration mortars for masonry repair has become increasingly prominent in recent years. Ready-mixed, ‘just add water’ products can seem like a simple solution to the problem of stone deterioration, but identifying the correct materials for repair to historic buildings can be complex, and various factors must be considered before you choose an off-the-shelf product.

Technical compatibility is the most important factor in ensuring that a repair product doesn’t cause more harm than good. However, conservation philosophy plays an important role in decision-making and can sometimes be the first consideration in choosing repair materials. A like-for-like repair method is often favoured in conservation, especially for listed buildings, scheduled monuments and culturally significant sites, and in these instances stone replacement is often the most appropriate option. However, for small areas of repair a compatible restoration mortar can be a good, albeit temporary, approach.

Historic Scotland is continuing its research into the performance of restoration mortars with the aim

Restoration mortars can be used to simulate the look of natural stones, helping repairs blend in

While a like-for-like repair method is favoured, for small areas of repair a compatible restoration mortar can be a good, albeit temporary, approach Dr Clare Torney

Clare.Torney@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

of assessing their suitability for use on Scotland’s built heritage. A number of publications are planned for 2015 to increase awareness of these alternative repair methods.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Please pass the salt

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PhD student Connie Gerrow on the effectiveness of poultice techniques for removing salts from historic masonry in order to reduce the rate of decay of sandstone Connie Gerrow

PhD student, Queen’s University, Belfast cgerrow01@qub.ac.uk

Salt removal and reduction treatments are commonly applied in an attempt to halt or slow the rate of decay of stone that is contaminated by salts.

Commonly used treatments are desalinating poultices that use a combination of sand and clay to draw out the salt. As well as salt removal,

other types of poultices with chemical additives can be used specifically for removing or reducing surface staining.

Salt reduction poultices involve mechanisms of diffusion or advection, and the specific treatment chosen will depend on the type of stone being considered and whether it has to be

desalinated in place or if it can be moved to a workshop. In many cases, advective poultices with a finer porosity than the stone are used, as these are particularly effective in removing soluble salts.

Part of my research investigates the application of desalinating poultices to Locharbriggs and Peakmoor

FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

Look but don’t touch Dr Alick Leslie on how new technologies enable the assessment of building fabric in a non-destructive way

A thermal image of Glasgow Cathedral

H

sandstones using different poultice mixes and application methods. The project aims to determine the impact of poulticing on stone that has been exposed to weathering cycles simulated in the laboratory, and to evaluate the effectiveness of different poultice mixes and application methods.

Visual recording of samples during weathering simulations has found differences in the weathering response of Peakmoor sandstone, which shows the most extensive surface breakdown.

This deterioration was related to

Dr Alick Leslie

alick.leslie@scotland. gsi.gov.uk

within it to a depth of up to 80cm.

This is a hugely valuable way of detecting where water is present in a building.

Other non-destructive tests can tell us about the chemistry and mineral make-up of a material (vital when salts are causing damage) and the presence of voids, all of which helps in identifying waterrelated problems in a building and finding ways to reduce and repair the damage.

Thermography detects variations in the temperature of a surface and can pinpoint the presence of water the incomplete removal of salts by poulticing and the movement of subsurface salt drawn up to just below the stone surface.

This experimental work highlights two issues. First, the importance of repeating the poulticing process to maximise salt removal, rather than simply mobilising it within the stone.

Second, the work has shown how important small-scale differences in stone properties such as porosity and the presence of clay layers can be in dictating the effectiveness of poulticing.

Using a microwave moisture meter

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

istoric buildings are always in danger from water, whether from poorly maintained or damaged gutters and roofs, flooding events or even just the increased volume of water falling from the skies. One problem that is particularly relevant to valuable historic buildings is how to accurately locate and measure the amount of moisture in a structure, while avoiding the need to take physical samples or drill holes in the masonry.

Thankfully, there is a range of new techniques, often termed non-destructive testing, that you can use to measure the presence of water and its effects without damaging a building.

The most widely used technique is thermography using an infrared camera. This detects variations in the temperature of a surface and while it is very useful for identifying areas where energy savings can be made, it can also pinpoint areas of a wall where the presence of water is causing heat loss.

Another way to ‘see’ water in a wall is to use a microwave moisture meter. This device sends a pulse of microwaves into a structure and records the amount of water

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FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH Work in progress with improvements to external drainage at the Scottish National War Memorial

Prior to drainage improvements, the microwave sensor revealed that the highest moisture concentrations were above floor level, coincident with external ground level

Protecting Scotland’s National War Memorial Dr Maureen E Young and Bruce Chandler on how the Science and Estates teams used their expertise to maintain Edinburgh Castle’s National War Memorial

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

S

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tanding at the highest point within Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish National War Memorial commemorates Scottish casualties in the First and Second World Wars and subsequent campaigns. Created from the shell of a former barrack block, the memorial was designed by the architect Sir Robert Lorimer, and opened in 1927. The building incorporates outstanding work by Scottish artists and craftsmen and women of the period.

Historic Scotland’s Science Team was asked to look into the cause of some areas of damp near floor level, thought to have been caused by rainwater penetrating the stone walls. Water ingress in a stone structure is a problem. Over time, it can cause staining, salt efflorescences and, eventually, decay of the stone and loss of surface detail.

An infrared thermal camera was used to determine which areas were affected and a microwave moisture sensor was used to examine the distribution of moisture within the walls and pinpoint the source of the problem. This instrument can quantify moisture levels and map distribution at depths up to 80cm, which is incredibly useful when dealing with substantial stone structures. Investigations revealed that internal dampness was most concentrated at a level coincident with external ground level, strongly implying that rainwater pooling against the bottom of

A microwave moisture sensor was used to examine the distribution of moisture within the walls

the walls was the probable cause. Later investigation revealed a leaking pipe buried within the base of the wall, further increasing the level of dampness.

The memorial is constructed on the hard, impermeable basalt of Castle Rock, which has created drainage difficulties. Historic Scotland’s Estates Team determined that the best method of preventing further rainwater penetration into the shallow foundations of the building would be to remove the buried pipe and saturated fill, and lay a whinstone drainage channel on a breathable, water-repellent base outside the affected areas. This was a difficult task, which took the castle Monument Conservation Unit hours of hard work.

Five months after completion, the building was again assessed by the Science Team, revealing that the improved drainage had been successful.

Dr Maureen E Young

maureen.young@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Bruce Chandler

bruce.chandler@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The cold (blue) area near floor level on this infrared thermal image is evidence of dampness in the stone wall

FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

St Giles’ reveals a colourful past Ailsa Murray tells us about the investigations into the early painted decoration of Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral

Very early painted decoration on one of the bosses

of trailing pattern painted in black onto a white background on an arch moulding. This type of pattern may have once covered all the arch mouldings of the medieval church.

Traces of early red paint were also found on the bosses beneath multiple layers of whitewash. These remains appear to be part of a late medieval scheme circa 1560 and earlier, and overpainted probably during the 1829 restoration. The red paint was analysed using polarised light microscopy and was found to contain lead-white and vermillion, an expensive imported pigment.

Cross-section analysis of several of the carved bosses also revealed decoration from the 19th century restoration, covered by more modern cream-coloured coatings.

The later layers are lead-based oil paints, whereas the earlier underlying ones are distemper.

Trailing pattern discovered in the South Aisle

Ailsa Murray

ailsa.murray@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Paint work on a boss of Edinburgh Castle

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

S

t Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh was founded in around 1130. It was subdivided after the Reformation and the building has undergone major alterations over the centuries; most of the exterior now dates to a remodelling by William Burn in 1829-33. Historic Scotland has been involved in several investigations of the painted interiors since conservation work started in 2007.

Investigations in the South Aisle were carried out in 2011

by Historic Interiors Researcher Michael Pearce, supported by myself and fellow conservator Damiana Magris. They found traces of very early painted decoration on the bosses, ribs, capitals and vault springer stops. The most spectacular survival is a section

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FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

The panels are cleaned by conservator Stefka Bargozova prior to their re-display

Edzell oak panels’ rare reformation survival

In 2014, a re-display project prompted the analysis of a set of carved oak panels from Edzell Castle. Regional Collections Manager (Central) Lynsey Haworth reveals the surprising findings

T

he Edzell oak panels were reportedly discovered in a wright’s shop by historian Andrew Jervise in the 1850s. Jervise wrote in a paper for the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland that these panels once formed the shutters of Edzell Castle’s Great Hall. They remained in private ownership until 1938, when they were donated to H M Office of Works, a predecessor of Historic Scotland.

The carvings depict Catholic iconography, including scenes of the crucifixion and the Annunciation.

Previously, the panels had been interpreted as late 16th century, as it was assumed if they had existed at the time of the Reformation in 1560, they would have been destroyed during the religious turmoil of the period, along with many other items showing Catholic

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Class glass

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Elgin glass shard analysis yields rare detail, explains Regional Collections Manager (North) Rona Walker

Rona Walker

rona.walker@scotland. gsi.gov.uk

In 2012, Elgin Museum kindly lent an assemblage of glass on a research loan to Historic Scotland. The glass, comprising 1,295 individual shards, was initially found during excavations in

devotion. However, dendrochronological analysis has shown that this is not the case.

The analysis was carried out using a non-invasive technique which involves making a polymer clay cast of the tree ring patterns visible on the oak. These were then compared against a database of calendricallydated tree-ring chronologies. The results suggest the panels date to either the 1530s or 1540s, making them a rare pre-Reformation survival.

Prior to conservation treatment, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis showed that the panels would have been painted at some point in the past. They have also suffered from repeated woodworm attack over the years, so they were frozen at -20°C for a week as a precautionary measure against woodworm activity.

They can now be seen in the Visitor Centre at the castle.

the mid to late 1970s on Lazarus Lane, which is very close to Elgin Cathedral.

The project formed part of the research supporting the proposed carved stone project at the cathedral. HS Collections team worked with glass specialist Robin Murdoch to carry out weight and pattern analysis to establish, where possible, the date of the glass, provenance to the cathedral and

Lynsey Haworth lynsey.haworth@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

similarities to other examples. As part of the study, the HS Science team chemically analysed the glass using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Some of the glass had been previously researched as part of an unpublished PhD thesis, which was consulted during the project.

Three types of glass were identified in the assemblage: plain, painted and coloured.

All the painted glass was

FOCUS ON: APPLYING RESEARCH

Kirkmadrine:

stones with a story The Kirkmadrine carvings unveil the religious importance of the site, as Regional Collections Manager (South) Jill van Millingen discovers

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he site of about AD 800 and 1100 during Kirkmadrine in the time that Gaelic speakers Dumfries and emerged as rulers of this area.

Galloway is home to These stones, although less some of Scotland’s expertly carved, illustrate a earliest Christian wealth of information about sculptures, and the changing liturgical and these remarkable treasures devotional practices of represent a transition Jill van Millingen early Christians in the preNorman era. from pagan to Christian jill.vanmillingen@ A bullaun stone, which has worship. The recent carved scotland.gsi.gov.uk had holes worn into it by stone re-display project has people turning pebbles onto it as highlighted just how important this they prayed, may reveal evidence site is, with new research increasing of continuing folk customs at early our understanding of the site and church sites. These are thought significance of this area of Scotland in to have involved the use and the 6th and 7th centuries.

As part of the project, the modification of certain stones for Historic Scotland Collections votive or healing purposes. team commissioned Dr Katherine The research has shown how likely it is that the religious community Forsyth from the University of Glasgow at Kirkmadrine was just as important to undertake new research to improve as the later monastery at Whithorn. the understanding of the The result of careful study of these archaeological, geographical and remarkable stones is important cultural significance of the carved work, and is likely to stimulate stones, and to inform future further research and exploration interpretation. of these theories.

The three earliest stones have Latin carvings and feature the powerful Chi Rho symbol – originally a code among early Christians – which uses the Greek letters for Christ. The stones also feature the names of individuals who may have been bishops based at a religious centre at Kirkmadrine.

A group of later stones, while very difficult to date, likely fall between

found to be grisaille glass.

The decoration would have been achieved in either of two ways: with a fine brush to create a positive image, or by scraping into a painted area to create a negative image. Painted grisaille glass can often be dated from its style of decoration. Early grisaille tends to carry images of very stylised foliage, which evolved into more natural forms in the 14th century. Cross-hatching, which is seen on many of the Elgin shards, was superseded by

a plain background in the later 13th century.

Detailed examination of the designs gave some exciting results.

Highlights include double trefoils currently not known anywhere else in Scotland; trefoils with a cross-hatch background similar to those found in Lincoln Cathedral; and a piece of border with a design similar to one known from Salisbury Cathedral.

It was concluded that the assemblage probably came from Elgin Cathedral and

likely survives from the recorded damage to the cathedral in 1270, or fires in 1390 and 1402.

The decorative style is clearly of this period, and follows similar practices in England and France. Further research is required, but this is a fascinating first glimpse that has yielded valuable information. A detailed report is available from the HS Collections team, which would like to thank Elgin Museum for its support.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

The three earliest stones feature the powerful Chi Rho symbol, originally a code among early Christians

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IMPACT

Our year in numbers

From West Lothian to Osaka and worldwide on the web, Historic Scotland Conservation worked hard in 2014 to pass on technical knowledge of our heritage and skills in person, in print and digitally OUR EVENTS

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1,728 Delegates that attended our events

Events we have organised

DELEGATES THAT ATTENDED OUR:

480

Energy efficiency events Insight events

95

Craft skills events

227

Can I just say a HUGE thank you for the brilliant experience of the Taster day for our pupils in Lesmahagow. They had a fantastic time and learned a lot of new skills.

I very much appreciate the work that was put into organising such an excellent event Head Teacher, Loudon Academy

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

TECHNICAL OUTREACH

42

160

8%

17%

3 %

13%

4%

n Students n Community groups

BREAKDOWN OF AUDIENCES THAT WE REACHED

n Professionals n Public n School pupils n Other

Outreach activities in which our staff delivered our message

55%

IMPACT

London Midlothian

Elgin

Dundee

Stirling

New Lanark

Dublin Munich Dunbar Osaka Milton Keynes

Wales

Balestrand Queensferry Methil

Tokyo

Ayr

Bolzano

Edinburgh

Loch Lomond

Charlestown

WE HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SHARE OUR EXPERTISE IN

Barra

Argyll Shetland Glasgow South Queensferry Whithorn Helensburgh ENQUIRIES

TECHNICAL ENQUIRIES FIELDED PER MONTH

45

Emails Telephone calls

60

Telephone calls

WEB

Unique page views on our technical website from Nov 2013 - Nov 2014

50 9 INFORM guides with

Short guides with

1,797 1,065 unique views from Nov 2013 – Nov 2014

unique views from Nov 2013 – Nov 2014

UK USA Ireland Canada India Australia Germany Spain France Italy

(82%) (4%) (2%) (1%) (1%) (<1%) (<1%) (<1%) (<1%) (<1%)

4,673 Subscribers to our e-newsletter, from all over the world

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99,387

TOP TEN COUNTRIES OUR WEBSITE WAS ACCESSED FROM

43

Historic Scotland

Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH T: +44 (0)131 668 8600 www.historic-scotland.gov.uk