The Elgin and Keith Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes hosted their latest traditional building skills training course in Keith yesterday.
The repair and maintenance of sash and case windows day course was held in Keith’s Longmore Hall to offer guidance on the care of window fittings that are present in most traditional buildings in Moray.
It was the third of twelve free skills courses for contractors and building professionals funded by the CARS schemes.
Tutors Craig Frew, of Frew Building Conservation Ltd, and Darren McLean, a conservation joiner, covered a variety of topics during the course with demonstrations and lectures – from history to glazing and thermal efficiency.
Mr McLean said: “The course today gave us a great opportunity to pass on some traditional skills to people who are interested in learning about the unique building heritage of the area.
“If these guys are interested, they might get really involved in conservation, and it’s important to pass on the traditional knowledge, which is not generally taught in the modern skills industry
“The industry has moved on from traditional methods, and our course helps make up for that.”
Mr Frew added: “It was really interesting. I think we had a good audience — mainly joiners and one architect- so it was very relevant.”
David Duguid, a joiner from Macduff, who took part in the course, said: “It’s the first one I’ve been to. It’s been very informative. It’s a different approach and somebody with different ideas, and some of the older methods and traditional finishes are the best.”
Keith CARS officer Ross McCleary said: “These schemes are targeted at locations like Mid Street in Keith that are all very grand, but need a bit of love.
“Historic windows such as the ones featured today are increasingly being removed and replaced unnecessarily where they could be repaired, usually at a fraction of the cost.
“We aren’t trying to teach these joiners to suck eggs. These guys know how to furnish windows.”
it’s just worth coming to hear a different approach and learn different methods.”
Cars external repair grants are currently available for property owners in both Elgin and Keith conservation areas.