New life is being brought to some of the Carse of Gowrie’s finest historic buildings as part of a three-year conservation project.
A number of key properties will be repaired in a joint effort by the Tay Landscape Partnership, local people and specialist conservators.
The project has begun with the Horn Farmouse, which is a prime example of the area’s heritage of vernacular buildings built from clay during the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Over the next three years, the partnership will be working to secure the future of a number of such important buildings.
Major renovation work will be carried out and the project will also give support to homeowners on maintenance, and provide training in traditional skills.
Clay building specialist Becky Little, from Fife, is currently repairing a two-storey section of a 200-year-old wall at the farmouse.
It collapsed due to leaking gutters.
“These old clay buildings are really tough if they are looked after in the right way but we have lost the everyday knowledge of traditional materials which local people once had,” said Becky, who is also training staff from the Scottish Lime Centre Trust, with support from Historic Scotland.
“A unique feature of the farmhouse is an inscription over the entrance lintel in Latin, which translates as “a mud building is a defence”.
“The stone was splitting and in danger of falling off and a specialist conservator has spent days cleaning and securing it.”
Conservation architect Tom Morton added: “These old buildings are such a feature of the local landscape and it’s great to see them receiving the recognition and care that they deserve.”
Many more projects are planned for the next few years but the team needs to find a source of clay from the local area.
Between 10 and 30 tonnes will be required for the various activities that are planned, with excavations for ditches and foundations likely to provide supplies.
Anyone who thinks they might be able to provide suitable clay is urged to contact Becky on 07968 494063.
The Tay Landscape Partnership secured £1,435,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the conservation work in the area.
It has developed a programme of 28 diverse projects, which will take shape between now and the end of 2018.
They include archaeological excavations such as those on Moncreiffe Hill the enhancement of historic buildings, and the protection of the surviving historic orchards.
Access to the Tay is also being improved, with new path networks and other initiatives to encourage people down on to the river.
The partnership is guided by Heritage Trust and the Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust.