 |
 |
|
Stonemasons Yard
History
The Culzean Masonry Workshop opened in 1991 with three areas of responsibility.
1/ Stonemasonry repairs to buildings on the Culzean estate
Using traditional tools and craft skills the team have carried out a wide range of projects at Culzean including repairing the Cat Gates and Powder House, recreating the Georgian Kitchen and the Castle, and repairing the Service Drive Walls, an ancient retaining wall carrying the access road to the Castle.
2/ Production and use of lime mortars
All of the projects listed above were carried out using lime mortar, a material in common use from ancient times until C20 when modern cement mortar took over. There are many reasons why lime mortar should be used when repairing old buildings including, breathability, permeability and the property of allowing small amounts of movement to take place within the structure without cracking. Lime mortar has been produced at Culzean since 1991. the yard area has purpose built lime pits for slaking and storing lime putty and a small experimental lime kiln which has been used to fire small amounts of local limestones that are no longer available as building limes.
3/ Training apprentice stone masons
Since 1991 the workshops have trained 6 apprentices in the craft of stonemasonry. The apprentices follow a 4 year programme which combines formal study at the Glasgow College of Building and Printing with practical work at Culzean. In the tradition of apprenticeship schemes of the past our apprentices stay for 4 years and are then encouraged to broaden their horizons and seek employment elsewhere. All 6 apprentices are currently working as stonemasons in the UK.
Current Projects
The masonry workshops have recently expanded their remit by taking on projects outside Culzean, both for other N.T.S properties and private clients. Recent work includes carving and fixing a large dome in Swedish marble to reinstate the World fountain and the David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre and a large carved sandstone fire surround for a local contractor.
Future
During 2005 the apprenticeship scheme will be cancelled and a new scheme set up to cater for a growing need for specialist craftspeople to work on historic buildings. Going under the working title of the Master Mason Project the scheme will be a 4 year post graduate programme with the students carrying out practical work at Culzean, visits and placements with other specialist organisations and an MSc in Architectural Conservation. The scheme is due to start in Sept – Oct 2005 and we are currently looking for graduates who may wish to apply for this post.
The Workshop is also looking to improve the lime production facility with the construction of a larger permanent lime kiln and to increase the amount of work from other N.T.S properties and private clients.
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ Back to Top
^ |
