Scaffolding Association members join forces to help repair uniquely shaped castle

Abscaff Limited, who are Assessed Members of the Scaffolding Association, and Highland Temporary Works Ltd, who are Associate Members, have been working together to provide access to the iconic Braemar Castle.

T he castle, which was constructed in 1628 by the then Earl John Erskine, and later became the home to the Clan Farquharson, is currently undergoing a £1.6m restoration project. As part of this a scaffold was commissioned by Harper and Allan, who are undertaking the restoration works of behalf of Braemar Community Ltd, the local community who has operated the castle since 2007.

The building is a five-storey L-plan castle with a unique star-shaped curtain wall of six sharp-angled salients, and with three storey angle turrets.

The unique shape was not the only challenge faced in this project as Ricky Mair explained:

“Highland Temporary Works were involved in this project from initial concept scaffold design drawings to full working design package including structural calculations and ‘as-built’ amendments.

Wind loading was a particular challenge due to exposure and location of site which is 332m above sea level.

Cuplok system scaffold was utilised which proved versatile to deal with turret overhangs and recesses in the building. The sheer height of the scaffold is 20m high with 10 fully boarded lifts and induced high leg loads of nearly 25 kN.

2 layers of cruciform 63mm thick timber batten soleboards were also required to satisfy the ground bearing pressure on site.” Over 90 tons of equipment were utilised for the structure which took 8 weeks to build, with over 1000-man hours needed to complete the scaffold.

It is expected that the scaffold will be standing until winter 2022 when works will be completed, with the aim of reopening the castle in July 2023.

Garry Butcher, Operations Director at Abscaff concluded:

“It is always very challenging when working on such an iconic castle, thanks to the client and our team the project was delivered on time and budget.”

You can find out more about the project by searching YouTube for Braemar Castle’s Meet the Builders Tour.

Abscaff Limited: www.abscaff.co.uk

Highland Temporary Works Ltd: www.htwdesign.co.uk