Tullibole Castle, Crook of Devon | Restoration Case Study

Our role: Contractor
Client: Private client
Architect: Frederick Whalley Architecture
Engineer: Ralph Ogg & Partners

Tullibole Castle is a Category A listed tower house whose marriage stone is dated 1608. We conserved its historic fabric, replacing cement harling with traditional lime harling and limewash, renewing slating, leadwork and cast iron rainwater goods, and preparing a maintenance manual for the owners.

Before & after

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

Tullibole Castle after restoration by LTM Group

BeforeAfter

The challenge

The original brief was for patch repairs to the existing cement harl. On investigation we found it had been applied over an earlier cement harl, raising serious doubts about the condition of the coating, the compatibility of new mortars and the life of any repair. The 1950s cement was also damaging the sandstone beneath.

Our solution

We proposed full replacement with lime harling and, by refining the specification, delivered it within the original budget. Removing the cement revealed two areas of original lime harl and limewash, which guided the new specification through mortar analysis and confirmed a hand-cast finish. Masons repaired the background with stone pinnings and lime mortar before harling, and the walls were finished with six coats of limewash.

Outcomes

Better repair, same budget

A full lime harl replaced a failing patch-repair approach without increasing cost.

Guided by history

Surviving original harl informed the mortar specification and hand-cast finish.

Long-term care

A maintenance manual and guide were prepared for the owners.

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