Lime plaster conservation:

Leith Hall

Kennethmont, Huntly, Aberdeenshire

Our role: Contractor
Client: National Trust for Scotland

Leith Hall is a Category A listed country house whose first tower was built by James Leith in 1650, later developed into an 18th-century neo-classical mansion. For the National Trust for Scotland we repaired water-damaged lime plasterwork, including the renowned cast decoration of the Oval Room ceiling and a lath and lime plastered attic room.

Before & after

Drag across the image to compare the building before our work and after completion.

Leith Hall after restoration by LTM Group

BeforeAfter

Leith Hall, Kennethmont, Huntly, Aberdeenshire — photograph 1

Leith Hall, Kennethmont, Huntly, Aberdeenshire — photograph 2

Leith Hall, Kennethmont, Huntly, Aberdeenshire — photograph 3

The challenge

Leaking services had soaked the lath and plaster. The Oval Room ceiling was deflecting, and its cast embellishments were loose and damaged. The attic room's walls and coombed ceiling needed complete relathing and replastering.

Our solution

We recorded the Oval Room embellishments photographically and with templates before removing damaged casts for conservation off site. Modern polymer paints were removed with a conservator's steamer and fine tools. Cracks were undercut to form a dovetail key and repaired in plaster matched to the original, and the ceiling was mechanically fixed back to its timbers. New moulds were made to cast replacement pieces, fixed in place with lime putty gauged with gypsum, and the decorative scheme was reinstated in limewash, with colours guided by paint analysis. The attic was relathed with riven lath and replastered in lime.