Join us to explore the strategies and philosophies governing architectural conservation in Scotland. We will examine the nature of traditional Scottish building materials and outline how international standards of good conservation practice can be applied to offset or adapt to the impact of climate change on our historic built environment. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. Our full-day experience includes an afternoon site visit to Bannockburn House, where our team will lead you on a technical tour of this remarkable late 17th-century mansion and identify conservation techniques in practice. For those who cannot join us in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning session. You will: Coach travel will be provided for the afternoon visit to Bannockburn House. Some walking will be required, so please wear suitable clothing and shoes. Floors in the house are uneven.

To select the most appropriate intervention in a conservation or repair project, you must understand the nature of the materials used in the construction of a building or site. Conservation scientists at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) use a variety of analytical techniques to understand how these materials decay over time and how certain interventions might affect their integrity and longevity. The day will begin with an overview of how science is increasingly used – both in the lab and on site – to analyse the nature and condition of traditional materials in Scotland and beyond. Then we will look at different types of analytical processes used by the Engine Shed’s Heritage Science team to determine the source, composition, structure and current condition of stonework and timber, as well as to monitor moisture ingress in our traditional buildings and determine thermal efficiency. A networking lunch will provide those opting to purchase the full-day learning experience the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, there will be a set of practical demonstrations of the HES Heritage Science team’s analytical equipment in the Engine Shed. For those who cannot join us in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

It’s fitting that the home of Scotland’s first dedicated building conservation centre itself uses traditional materials in a contemporary way. The Engine Shed building, used as a goods transfer shed, was built sometime between 1896 and 1913. The exact details of its construction were subject to an information blackout, and are still unknown, as it was part of an important military complex. The strategic base on the banks of the River Forth was a key resource for the army in the run up to and during both World Wars. We are now a dynamic hub of digital innovation, heritage science, and an accredited training centre. Join us to discover what's inside and learn about the history of the Engine Shed, how it was made using traditional materials in a contemporary way and how we recycled many other materials during the restoration. Learn about the traditional skills vital to protecting Scotland’s buildings and monuments. Explore scientific techniques and labs which help us maintain and protect our living heritage. See the digital resources we use, including a giant 3D printer, a Digital Imaging Lab and ‘The Howff’ our cutting-edge immersive hub.