Project milestone: Tolbooth in West Wemyss

Last month, scaffolding was removed from the Tolbooth in West Wemyss, marking a significant milestone in its careful conservation. This Category A-listed structure has undergone meticulous repairs led by Graeme Brown Stone Masons and a skilled team of craftspeople, working closely with GRAS to stabilise and renew the building’s historic fabric.⁠

Over the last few months, the team at Graeme Brown Stone Masons and their companions at Blake’s Roofing, Crown Traditional Craftsmen and Andrew Turner Blacksmiths have undertaken the careful consolidation of the Tolbooth’s structure and fabric, stabilising where possible, and where essential, installing anew. This work has relied on the close inspection of the existing material – from scaffolding we have been able to inspect, carefully remove harmful material, repair and maintain. Work has included the pinning, packing and repointing of the masonry across the majority of the building prior to re-harling in a through-colour lime render. At the very top of the Tower where the eaves course had delaminated so significantly it was sheeting like filo-pastry we called on the expertise of Structural Engineers Narro Associates. Here a new course was guided into place by the expert hands of Graeme and Team to support the roof.

Other work has included the replacement of the central panels of the N and S Elevation of the copper roof, where on closer inspection, star-cracking in the copper had become apparent. This is likely to have been caused by the size of the original panels being too large and unable to manage the expansion of the metal. At ground level, along with considerate repair of the masonry, a new handrail to the forestair, and a new oak studded door formed using traditional methods, have been installed to the entrance of the building. We are looking forward to seeing the whole of the refurbished Tolbooth soon.

Project team: Dr Stewart Stirling, Gavin McNab, Charlie Porter
Client: Wemyss 1952 Trust
Quantity Surveyor: Morham & Brotchie
Main Contractor: Graeme Brown Ltd.
Photography and drawing by Charlie Porter