Palace project contracts awarded

York company plays key role in scottish palace recreation

Historic Scotland is delighted to announce the award of a series of specialist contracts for its ongoing Stirling Castle Palace Project.

The contracts are part of a £12 million scheme, which will see the royal palace of James V returned to how it may have looked in its mid-16th century heyday. Among the successful bidders is Chris Topp & Co, of North Yorkshire, which will create metalwork for the palace, including fire irons of the type that would have been essential in helping keep the palace warm for the royal family and courtiers.

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The latest round of contracts involve everything from fabrics to joinery, metalwork and stained glass. Together they will help recreate the splendour and luxury of a great Renaissance royal residence.   

Peter Buchanan, Stirling Castle Project manager, said: “We are very pleased to have been able to award the specialist contracts for the furnishings, fittings and decoration of the palace. The Historic Scotland team is looking forward to working with all of the companies involved as they create everything from fine carpets, oak furniture and wall hangings through to ceiling bosses, stained glass and iron firedogs. These will play a key role in recreating the look and atmosphere of the Renaissance royal palace for when it reopens to the public in 2011.”

“Much of the work involves the use of high quality traditional skills and techniques, and we are delighted that the project is helping to maintain highly skilled arts and crafts which have been practised for many centuries.”

Chris Topp & Co is the world’s last producer of genuine wrought iron and is a specialist in the restoration of heritage ironwork. The contract with Historic Scotland will involve making pokers, tongs, fire dogs and fire backs and other fancy ironwork.

The total value of all the palace contracts, which were awarded on the basis of competitive tendering, is £1.55 million.