Engine Shed

We’re Scotland’s building conservation centre. There are over 450,000 traditional buildings in Scotland, from castles to cottages.

Our built heritage – towns, cities, villages and places - tells the stories of the people who built, worked and lived in it. Our mission is to make sure these buildings are looked after for future generations to discover and explore. We believe that traditional buildings and skills aren’t just part of the past – they have an important place in our country’s future. To do this, it’s important that

we use the right materials and techniques, and the teams based at the Engine Shed - part of Historic Environment Scotland - are involved in cutting edge research into conserving and recording the country’s traditional buildings. They lead and support projects with partners from the heritage sector in Scotland, the UK, and internationally. We provide information, training and events on all aspects of conserving traditional buildings, whether you’re a homeowner, student, conservation professional - or just interested. Our training and learning activities are industry-leading. We are accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and National Open College Network (NOCN). Find us online: engineshed.scot. We’ve been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Scottish Government, Stirling Council, the Historic Scotland Foundation, Historic Environment Scotland and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

08/09/2026

Does your home have original sash and case windows? Sash and case windows aren't just beautiful, they're built to last. Most traditional sash and case windows were crafted from exceptionally durable heartwood timber, a quality that's hard to find today. Choosing repair over replacement means retaining higher-quality timber, saving resources, and maintaining a building's character.

Before hiring a joiner, carry out a basic assessment. Use a checklist to identify defects and agree the scope and cost of repairs.

Find out more in our free guide: https://ow.ly/AJCb50ZKv1U

03/09/2026

This week, we presented Graeme High School with a stunning stained glass artwork, created from glass prepared by pupils, and transformed by our former Craft Fellow Gordon Muir into a panel.

Seven schools took part in our practical stained glass workshops during Heritage Careers Week 2025. Pupils learned about the techniques, tools and creative process behind stained glass making; cutting and preparing pieces of coloured glass that would later be transformed into eight unique panels. Each school will be gifted their own stained glass panel, and we'll be installing the eighth panel created as part of this unique heritage skills project inside our building conservation centre!

In our latest blog, our Programme Delivery Manager Rachael Dorman reflects on the power of collaboration and how sharing skills, knowledge and experience helps keep this endangered craft alive for future generations. Through partnerships, mentorship and hands-on learning, traditional craft skills can continue to thrive while contributing to the care of Scotland's historic buildings.

Read the full story here: https://blog.engineshed.scot/2026/09/03/crafting-a-legacy-through-stained-glass-and-collaboration/

01/09/2026

How do the materials, design and construction of traditional Scottish buildings affect function and performance over time?

Join us at the Engine Shed on Tuesday 13 October 2026 for History of Building Conservation to find out! This expert-led event explores the strategies and philosophies of architectural conservation in Scotland. We'll examine traditional Scottish building materials, explore international conservation standards, and discuss how the sector is responding to climate change and other pressures on the historic built environment.

Choose from a full-day experience, including a tour of Bannockburn House, an in-person morning session with networking lunch, or attend the morning online via Microsoft Teams.

Book now: https://ow.ly/zakH50ZGBFE

30/08/2026

Want to expand your knowledge of traditional buildings, skills and materials? Join our specialists for a series of expert-led courses exploring key issues affecting the historic built environment. Upcoming sessions cover building conservation principles, heritage planning, climate change, conservation science, traditional building maintenance, and energy efficiency in older and traditional buildings.

Whether you're working in conservation, planning, architecture, surveying, property management or a related field, these events offer valuable professional development opportunities and practical insights you can apply in your work.

View the full programme and book your place: 👉 https://www.engineshed.scot/whats-on

28/08/2026

Sixty years ago, thousands of tonnes of steel, expert engineering and skills came together to create the Tay Road Bridge.

The latest Historic Environment Scotland blog showcases stunning archive photographs documenting the construction, from the bridge’s framework to the welding and internal systems hidden within the finished structure.

Take a look behind the scenes of one of Scotland’s most significant infrastructure projects: https://ow.ly/hWkp50ZFIi0

26/08/2026

We were delighted to launch the Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings at our building conservation centre today with a series of specialist talks and Q&As. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us.

If you're planning to adapt or repurpose a traditional building, this new guide, created by Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland, is now available.

The guide provides practical advice on how to balance modern building standards with the conversion of Scotland's historic buildings. It promotes a holistic, risk-based approach to upgrades, helping owners, developers and professionals improve safety, energy efficiency and accessibility while respecting the character and performance of traditional structures.

Read the guide here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/guide-conversion-traditional-buildings-2

📸's:

1) Simon Montgomery, Senior Technical Officer, HES
2) L-R: Steve Emery (Heritage Fire Consultancy), Steve Wood (Narro Associates), Georgina Allison (Munro Allison Arch), Sarah Johnson (Ingleton Wood), Daniel Henderson (Scottish Government Building Standards Division), Chris Morgan (John Gilbert Architects), Simon Montgomery (HES), Sean Smith (University of Edinburgh)
3) Sarah Johnson, Ingleton Wood, presenting

25/08/2026

If you haven't been inside our building yet, this is your chance!

Pop in on Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 September to:

discover what's inside
learn about our history
learn about traditional skills
explore our labs and immersive hub

It's free. Times and more information: https://ow.ly/FEc450ZwB9w

21/08/2026

Did you know Scottish stone was once used in some of the world's most prestigious buildings, including the Vatican?

Scotland's rich geology has shaped the character of our towns and cities for centuries, from Aberdeen's iconic granite to Glasgow's distinctive sandstone. Yet while Scotland has almost 200 recognised building stone types, only 17 quarries currently produce building stone.

Our latest blog by Technical Officer Madeleine Clark explores why reopening some of Scotland's lost quarries could help protect our historic buildings, create skilled jobs in rural communities, reduce carbon emissions from imported materials, and support local economies.

The Isle of Luing is already showing what's possible, with work underway to revive traditional slate production for the first time in decades.

Read the full blog: https://blog.engineshed.scot/2026/08/20/scottish-stone-revival

20/08/2026

Gable ends deserve our love and attention 🥰. They're usually the most weather-exposed part of a traditional building. This means they're particularly vulnerable to driving rain and water pe*******on. As Scotland experiences more intense rainfall due to climate change, this is becoming a bigger problem. If you have a damp gable (sounds a bit cheeky doesn't it?) our guide can help you understand symptoms, causes and repair options: https://ow.ly/TInZ50ZBQGM

18/08/2026

Building Care Tip: Keep Water Moving 💧

Rainwater should always have somewhere to go.

Take time to check that gutters, drains and downpipes are free from leaves, moss and other debris. Standing water around your property can lead to damp, erosion and even structural issues if left untreated.

A few minutes of maintenance can help keep your building dry and healthy all year round.

How to keep your cast iron rain goods in top condition: https://ow.ly/28aK50Zv0JI

Address

Forthside Way
Stirling
FK81QZ

Website

https://www.engineshed.scot/

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