Tarbert Castle, Tarbert | Restoration Case Study

Our role: Contractor
Client: Tarbert Castle Trust

Tarbert Castle is a Scheduled Monument of national importance, enlarged and fortified by Robert the Bruce around 1325 with a curtain wall and drum towers enclosing almost two acres. Now held in trust for the community, its ruins were at risk of collapse. Over three seasonal phases we stabilised and consolidated the historic fabric.

The challenge

The castle sits on a hilltop with no vehicle access and slopes too steep for tracked plant. The walls had structural cracks running through them and a history of falling masonry, and in places the stonework was being held up only by ivy roots.

Our solution

Scaffold, plant and materials were flown in and out by helicopter in 900kg loads. The scaffold was erected clear of the structure until the wall heads had been made safe. Vegetation was cut a year in advance and left to die back, so ivy could be removed carefully once the scaffold was up, with masonry wedged and packed in sequence as roots came out. Temporary propping, permanent supporting walls and stainless steel restraints stabilised the ruin without losing its character. We packed and pointed with gauged hot lime, carried out tile repairs and lime grouting, rough racked the wall heads and soft-topped them with puddled clay and native turf.

Outcomes

Ruin made safe

Openings and wall heads stabilised with honest new work and stainless steel restraints.

Character retained

Consolidated as a ruin, not rebuilt, preserving its archaeological and historic value.

Logistics solved

Helicopter deliveries made a hilltop site with no vehicle access workable.

← All projects

Have a similar building?

Tell us about it and we’ll come back to you with how we’d approach it.

Discuss your project Call 01330 833 941

One of 1,000+ projects

More castles & towers

See all 234 named projects

Tarbert Castle