Standing Building Recording

Date 6 March 2018 - 9 March 2018

Event ID 1087583

Category Recording

Type Standing Building Recording

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1087583

NS 78961 94073 An assessment of four of the nine roofs over

the King’s Old Building at Stirling Castle was undertaken 6–9

March 2018. These consisted of (1) the roof over the southern

part of the West Range, (2) the roof over the southern stair

tower, (3) the roof over the West Range N of the southern

stair tower, and (4) the roof over the eastern part of the North

Range.

The roofs display structural details that clearly identify

them as products of standard Scottish building practice of the

Middle Ages (roofs 1 and 3), the post-medieval period (roofs

2 and 3) and the 19th century (roof 4). Thus, they reflect the

complex architectural history of the King’s Old Building.

Given the degree of change and alteration that has

happened at Stirling Castle during the past 500 years, it is

questionable whether any of the roof structures survive in

an unaltered state. Intriguingly, however, is the fact that

a large number of structural members show details that

suggest considerable antiquity, while, at the same time,

displaying details that appear to be more modern. This

applies in particular to roof 3, which saw all of its rafters

lengthened. Given the typology of material and joints, it is

likely that this structure incorporates fabric dating from the

1496 construction campaign.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Historic Environment Scotland

Thorsten Hänke – Kirkdale Archaeology

(Source: DES Volume 19)