Roofer does the double at Scottish awards

On 25 October Margaret McCulloch MSP, a member of the Shadow Cabinet and Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland, presented the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year Awards at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. The entries included some breath taking projects that demonstrated technical excellence as well as aesthetic qualities.

Two such were the re-roofing of Torosay Castle on the Isle of Mull, a Victorian Scottish 'baronial mansion', which won the award in the Heritage section and Jeffrey House in Edinburgh, a Grade B-listed building designed by Alexander Paterson, that scooped first prize in the Fully Supported Metal category. Both projects were undertaken by B & D Roofing of Dalkeith.

Torosay Castle was designed by the renowned Scottish architect David Bryce and dates back to 1885. The works comprised the stripping of all existing slates and lead weatherings from the high level pitched roofs to the main building, stone restoration and conservation works, structural repairs and the sympathetic overhaul and draught proofing of the sash and case windows.

Taking account of the local climate, it was decided that the project would be best served by the provision of a temporary roof structure. This provided protection to the internal fabric of the building and permitted work to proceed throughout the winter period.

The best quality of the existing slates were sorted, re-dressed and set aside for re-use as was a fair portion of the existing lead which was recycled as sacrificial flashings on the watergates and valleys. Long term exposure of the roof timbers necessitated widespread renewal, this was particularly evident on the south elevation - no doubt exaggerated by the structural movement throughout this elevation.

The detailing of the lead work had to be brought up to current LSA guidelines without overtly altering the appearance of the roofscape, something which was achieved by attention to detail and the dedication of the company's craftsmen.

All this had to be undertaken within a specific timescale so as not to interrupt the breeding cycle of the two resident bat species that availed themselves of the temporary accommodation provided for the duration of the project.

Where possible the existing stonework was tied back to the original structure utilising a variety of methods to suit the application. Where this was not possible the structure was carefully stripped down taking care to note the location of each individual stone which was then faithfully restored to its original position with a minimum of imported stone, thus retaining the true character.

Overall the company believe that this is another project that demonstrates their collective commitment to provide the highest quality of workmanship, materials, attention to detail and dedication to preserving our built heritage.

Responding to the accolade, the company posted on its Facebook page: 'Four trophies in three years means we must be doing something right. Actually, we think we are doing a lot right and our peers are rewarding us for it.

'Over the last three years we have won the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Scottish Award in the Fully Supported Metal Roofing category for our lead work, this year we added the Heritage Roofing category to the list.

'We entered three projects in three categories and were selected as finalists in all of them and it was to our great delight to hear our name called twice to go and receive an award.'

For further information visit www.bdroofing.co.uk