Local and National Recognition for Castle Project

An ambitious project to restore and repair an area of Rosslyn Castle has won two local awards and been commended at a national awards ceremony held in London.

The work to the Castle’s East Range included the re-roofing of the Great Hall and Tower, consolidation and protection of historic stonework and the implementation of a new sustainable heating strategy. It was undertaken and funded by Rosslyn Chapel Trust and was completed in autumn 2024. Rosslyn Castle was the only Scottish site to be recognised in the awards organised by Historic Houses, a not-for-profit organisation representing more than 1,450 of the UK’s independently owned historic properties. They included categories for restoration, education, diversification, collections and gardens.

The Historic Houses Restoration Award, sponsored by Sotheby’s auction house, recognises outstanding examples of the work being carried out by private owners, to protect and preserve the historic buildings in their care. The judges felt that one project deserved a commendation this year – the East Range at Rosslyn Castle – which they said was impressively and sympathetically carried out. They also noted the magnitude of the restoration work that has taken place at Rosslyn Castle, which they visited in April.

The winner of this year’s Restoration Award was Grade I listed Castle Howard, near York, for their restoration of the Tapestry Drawing Room, an eighteenth century room which was lost in a fire in 1940.

The Castle also won the categories of ‘large project’ and ‘conservation’ in the Edinburgh Architectural Association Awards announced at a ceremony in Summerhall, Edinburgh, in November.

Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: ‘It’s great to see our major project at Rosslyn Castle being commended in these awards and to be the only Scottish property recognised in the Historic Houses Awards this year. The project secures the long-term sustainability of this important site and the awards are a great recognition for everyone who has been involved.’

Rosslyn Castle, which is in the care of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, is category A-listed, recognising its architectural and historic character, and its grounds are designated as a Scheduled Monument. As a result of the project, Rosslyn Castle’s East Range now has a permanent roof over the Great Hall and Tower, for the first time since 1650, protecting important masonry carvings, and the three levels of vaults below ground level. The building, which dates back to 1622, is also now Net Zero ready, as the heating and hot water are provided by six air source heat pumps, removing the need for traditional fossil fuels. The heat pumps are situated in the Castle vaults, which date from the 1580s, and it is believed that Rosslyn Castle may be one of the oldest buildings in the world to adopt air source heat pumps. The Castle’s East Range provides self-catering holiday accommodation through a partnership with the Landmark Trust.

The project architects were Page\Park and the main contractor for the work was John Dennis & Company (Scotland) Ltd.

Photo: Rob McDougall

Posted in Conservation