Repairs at Fountainhall Steading

Works to semi-ruinous Fountainhall Steading began with a thorough understanding of the history and development of the complex. A measured survey and investigations showed that the four sides dated to the 18th century and had been built separately for quite different uses.

Pencaitland

Full Description

Work was staged due to a limited budget and began with clearing vegetation and consolidating the remaining structures to stop further deterioration, and with fitting a new secure gate with pass door.  We challenged the engineer and contractor to straightening a 150mm lean to a fragile wall of one of the derelict Cottages, rather than to re-built it.  Jacking the wall, underpinning it and re-pointing as necessary has preserved its character and patina.

The natural palette of materials reflects the simple rural character, and work carried out to the high standard appropriate for a building of this age.  Materials were re-used from site as much as possible, and second-hand stone and pantiles carefully sourced.

The Games Room was made watertight with minimum intervention: roof, chimneys and windows were repaired, a lime-crete floor laid and missing gable end rebuilt in timber as before with a new oriel window.  The adjoining lean-to greenhouse was re-constructed and is for our clients’ use as a plant nursery for their garden at Fountainhall, also formerly known as Penkaet Castle.