04/11/2025
Works are now complete at the grade A listed Tarbat Discovery Center. Although the renovation works carried out 25 years ago were to an exceptionally high standard, some TLC was required.
This building form as we see it today dates from 1756 and there's been a church on the site since way back in 1255.
The belfry stonework was carefully cleaned and all the cement pointing was removed by hand and repointed in traditional hot lime mortar, with some additional conservation works carried out to individual stones in need of attention.
Existing voids had been allowing water to soak into the belfry, causing algae growth internally. We tamped oakum into these voids, which as a tarred h**p provides an additonal waterproof seal at the back of the masonry joints. Interestingly, oakum was (and still is) also used in the building of wooden boats.
The exisiting lime render was cleaned and repaired where necessary and treated to hot mixed limewash - when we mix the lime it reaches over 250 degrees centigrade and is then applied hot! It was a real privilege to work on this much loved building and we wish the Tarbat Discovery Centre many more happy years to welcome visitors from near and far.
