Pupils at an Outer Hebrides school will visit a castle on their home island to learn about traditional materials and historical building techniques.

Years 3 and 4 from Castlebay Secondary School on the Isle of Barra will attend the workshop at their neighbour Kisimul Castle in two weeks.

Historic Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government, will run a demonstration of how to make building lime.

Locally sourced oyster shells will be burnt in peat to make the lime, which will then be mixed with shell aggregates to replicate the historic mortar used at the castle.


Jamie MacPherson, Historic Scotland District Architect said: "The pupils will visit Kisimul castle to see how it was built and will also take part in some small scale wall reconstruction. We hope that this will give the pupils an overview and understanding of traditional building skills and perhaps inspire some to take up a career in this area. These skills are essential in order to preserve our built heritage for future generations."

Kisimul castle dates from the mid 16th century and is on a rocky islet surrounded by the sea.

Although accessible only by boat, it is open to the public and a guidebook is available.

Historic Scotland rent the castle from its current owner Iain R MacNeill for an annual payment of £1 and a bottle of whisky.

The workshop is part of the Year of Creative Scotland, a Scottish Government initiative designed to shine the spotlight on Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths.

(NE)