Fairburn Tower

Progress so far: Scaffolding, cobbles and a global health pandemic

In January 2020 work began to scaffold Fairburn, the intervention necessary to secure and shield the fragile tower, preventing any further movement as final plans were finessed. Taking more than three months to erect, the complex structure laces around the building, holding historic masonry – particularly including the stair tower – securely in place.

While prospecting for scaffold footings, in early March 2020 an extensive area of cobbles was discovered beneath turf. Uncovered and recorded by archaeologist Tom Addyman and his team, within the substantial area are the probable outline of other structures, including the castle garth and a putative gateway. All the cobbles were carefully graded for size, and we hope to ultimately leave an area exposed for Landmarkers to enjoy.

Swiftly following the thrilling cobbles discovery, and just as scaffolding neared completion, in late March the Coronavirus pandemic hit and all construction stopped in Scotland. In addition, during the subsequent summer months a barn owl and her chicks nested in the building, bringing its own slight complications. Works at Fairburn paused for six months, resuming only in late October 2020.

High-level archaeology and masonry

With the return to work – all aspects of the programme rescheduled, Covid-secure procedures in place – and scaffolding finally complete, in autumn 2020 high level archaeology was undertaken for the first time. The close inspection enabled detailed planning for masonry repairs, and LTM’s skilled masons worked throughout harsh winter months and across spring 2021 to secure and rebuild the tower. This included cleaning algae off stonework before consolidating and repairing cracks, preparing and inserting new stone where appropriate plus pointing with hot lime, protecting areas of progress with hessian during the harshest weather.

Joinery, roofing and a new staircase

As the seasons turned so too did principal trades onsite, with LTM’s joiners introducing floors and roof timbers across the summer months of 2021, milestone moments for the building after hundreds of years as an exposed shell. Fairburn’s historic bartizans have now been rejuvenated, gutters fitted and slates laid. Harling has been applied and plastering advanced. Throughout the winter of 2021/22, experts have used timber formwork and special concrete mixes to incrementally reintroduce a spiral staircase, so stitching the historic stair tower back together.

Soon shutter-board windows will be crafted, electrics fixed and external limewash colouring chosen. As we near the final stretches of Fairburn’s revival, we’ll look forward to sharing further stories in the coming months.

People behind the project

We’re delighted to be restoring Fairburn with the help of so many historic building experts. They include John Sanders, Eleanor Egan and project architect Julie Barklie; archaeologists Tom Addyman, Liz Jones, and Kenny MacFadyen; quantity surveyor Angus Simpson, partner at Ralph Ogg and Partners; structural engineers Steve Wood and Ross Livingstone of David Narro Associates; service engineers Stuart MacPherson and Finlay Ross of Irons Foulner Consulting Engineers. We’re particularly pleased that LTM have employed apprentices onsite, guided by site foreman Andy Taylor and all overseen by managing director Steven Laing.

We are enormously grateful to all who gave so generously to the Fairburn Tower appeal, including:

Guardians of Fairburn Tower and other lead supporters:

Dr J and Mrs J Bull, The Hon. Elizabeth Cayzer, Mrs E Colam, Mr B Foord, Mr C Giles, Sir Angus Grossart CBE, Dame Pippa Harris and Mr R McBrien, Mr H and Mrs S Leishman, Mr A Murray-Jones, Mr D Milles, Mr G Neame OBE, Dr A Pym, Mr M and Mrs C Seale, Mr B Sealey CBE and Mrs H Sealey, Lady Stirling, Mrs Mary Stirling, The Hon. Tobias Tennant

Patrons and other generous individuals:

Mr S Ansell, Mr R Baker, Dr J Barney, Mr M Bennett, Ms M Chisholm, Mr P Corey, Miss S Curry, Mr A Baker and Ms S Darling, Mr J Darycott, Ms K Davies, Mr A Dean, Ms K Edwards, Mr A Fraser, Mr D Giles, Ms F Grimshaw, Mr R Grigson and Mr A Layng, Mr D Holberton, Mr G and Mrs A Kingston, Mrs M Jones, Mr J and Mrs J Kinross, Mrs S Lund, John Mackenzie of Gairloch, Mr J Miller CBE, Mrs D Mitchard, Mr E Saunders, Dr P Strangeway, Mrs S Wiggert, Mrs S Wrangham

Gifts in Wills and in memory:

The late Reverend J Grover, the late Mr D Lawrence, the late Mr A Peacock, the late Mr J Owen, the late Mr I Glover, the late Miss J Fry, and the late Mr W Galleway

Charitable Trusts and other grants

The Aall Foundation, H B Allen Charitable Trust, The Architectural Heritage Fund, Bartleet Family Fund, The Binks Trust, T B H Brunner Charitable Trust, Lesley Mary Carter Charitable Trust, The Cinven Foundation, The Countess of Dunmore’s Charitable Trust, The George C Gibson Charitable Trust, The Gough Charitable Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, The John R Murray Charitable Trust, The Orrin Charitable Trust, The Pastest Charitable Trust, Thomas Rawcliffe Charitable Trust, The Rockcliffe Charitable Trust, RV and RH Simons Charitable Trust, Tulip Charitable Trust, Viewforth Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation

We thank everyone who supported the appeal, including those who have chosen to remain anonymous.