Monthly Update March 2008

Robin Maddock

The weather in March was not very kind to the project with a mixture of rain, sleet, snow and high winds. However, this did not stop work on the project. The new slates are on the roof of the main building with only the new sandstone ridge to be installed and some of the skews to be replaced. As the roof on the bothy part of the building was completely rotten it has been replaced and a new floor installed between the upstairs office and the downstairs genealogical research centre.

Window and door lintels have been replaced using "new" old timbers as has one of the joists for the main building roof. Where possible we are restoring and re-using existing materials rather than replacing them. This helps to keep the cost down and ensure that as much of the original character and feel of the building is retained.

In the ice houses, a sample area of the floor cobbles has been cleaned up and it is looking very good. Cleaning the cobbles is a slow laborious job, but it will be worth it when it is finished.

As for the exterior of the building, the specialist contractors have started to put on the "undercoat" for the harling which is due to be put on week commencing 19th April. This is why the building is covered in protective sheeting. The BBC have been in touch with us regarding the project and want to include a 5 minute slot in the Landward programme which goes out on BBC Scotland on Friday evenings and lunchtime on Sundays. Filming will be done during the coming weeks with the result appearing in the Programme to be broadcast at the beginning of June.

In the meantime work has been progressing on the interior design of the exhibition areas of the ice houses and the lighting for the multi-use community space. The framework for the toilets in the community space has been erected and it is expected that the louvre windows for this space will be installed next week. With 4 large windows on each side this will be a very bright and airy space once the windows are installed. Because we are leaving the stonework exposed in this area, it is necessary to touch-up the pointing between the stones where it has stared to crumble. This has started and the result is excellent with it being difficult to distinguish between the original pointing and the new work.

The heating system has been the subject of much discussion. Originally we were going for a ground source system but then we considered a wood pellet boiler. However, because of the construction of the building and the stone and timber materials used this option has been ruled out. We are now back looking as a ground source heating system either using loops set into the ground (about 800 metres of pipes!!!) or 2 boreholes.

This design of heating system will be very efficient, cheap to run relative to using fossil fuels and will be environmentally friendly, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.

We are delighted to have obtained the services of a professional who will research and write the background research on the ice house exhibits. The lady in question has an excellent reputation having worked in a similar role for The National Trust for Scotland and is currently studying for her PhD.

We are just about on schedule to have the building finished on time for this year's festival and it is very pleasing to hear comments from the local residents who are delighted to see the building being restored.

I have attached some more pictures of the building showing its current state, but to see more you can visit our website www.salmonbothy.co.uk