ABOUT US

Frew Conservation was established in 2012 by Craig Frew MSc IHBC. Craig has 23 years experience in building conservation, with particular expertise on the repair of traditional masonry buildings.

Craig previously worked as Technical Consultant for a respected stonemasonry contractor, Senior Buildings Consultant for the Scottish Lime Centre Trust and Conservation Officer for Dundee City Council. He is Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).

Craig has a MSc Degree in European Urban Conservation and holds a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Vocational Assessors Certificate having been involved in training and assessment of the SQA National Units in Conservation Masonry and National Progression Award in the Conservation of Masonry.

Craig has an interest in traditional lime mortars and external lime coatings, having authored and contributed to several publications and articles on the subject. He is a guest lecturer on Historic Environment Scotland's MSc Technical Building Conservation Degree, covering lime mortars, plasters and renders. He is also a member (previously committee member) of the Building Limes Forum, a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and was a Trustee and Director of Falkland Stewardship Trust from 2016-2024.

Stonework condition survey… #stonework #stonearchitecture #stonemasonry #stone #scottisharchitecture #historicbuildings #historicscotland
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Lovely weather for a survey 🌧️❄️💨🌨️. Croick Church was built in 1827 on land donated by the Rosses of Balnagown and to the design of Thomas Telford, and formed part of a church extension programme initiated and financed by the Westminster Parliament. The Church and its minister figured prominently in the Clearance of Glencalvie in 1845, a tragic event that is recorded in messages scratched on its east window.
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Doing a bit of survey work for @falklandestate at the Stables. Great wee cafe if you’re passing ☕️🥪🍰
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Our last site visit of 2023…something a bit different. A 1940’s blast shelter and air raid shelter #brickworkmatching #mortaranalysis #buildingconservarion #scheduledmonument
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Back in Cromarty advising on water ingress, damp and harling issues #limeharling #limewash #thatch #heritage #historicscotland #nationaltrustforscotland #buildingconservation #ihbc #scottishvernacular #scottishhighlands #historicbuildings #historichomes
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Hard cement pointing is never a good idea when used on old building, especially with sandstone. Need advice on choosing the right mortar for the job? Quicklime? Lime putty? NHL? HL? FL? Hot mixes? Cold mixes? All a bit confusing? We can help!
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#falklandestate #maspieden #fife #scotland #autumn
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Surveying, inspecting, materials sampling, analysis, investigation, research…it’s what we do
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Lincoln Cathedral @thebuildinglimesforum Gathering 2023
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The Japanese Garden at Cowden #japanesegarden #cowden #scotlandtravel #scotlandexplore #scotlandgardens #scotland #historicgarden #historicscotland https://cowdengarden.com/pages/history
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Castle Tioram, Loch Moidart #castle #castletioram #lochmoidart #scotland #scottishhighlands #historicscotland
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Frew Conservation are independent historic building consultants and training providers. We provide impartial advice and training to a wide range of clients, taking a lead role in advising building owners or a supporting role when working closely with other building professionals and contractors. Our expertise with traditional masonry buildings, particularly those built of stone and lime mortar, is the focus of much of our consultancy work. Get in touch via one of our social media channels, website or email for an informal chat.
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Back at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum today with ZM Architecture and AGM Stone carrying out masonry fabric investigations and trials to help inform scope and specification of future stone conservation work #buildingsurveying #buildinginvestigation #stonemasonry #buildingconservation #scotland #glasgow #stoneanalysis #mortaranalysis
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At Inverkeithing Gala today (24 June) - come and see us. Try your hand at stone carving, slating and traditional signwriting. We’re with Fife Historic Buildings Trust.
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Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt & Calda House from a wee road trip a couple of weeks ago #ardvreckcastle #caldahouse #lochassynt #nc500 #castle #ruin #historicscotland
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Delighted to be back in Penicuik with @andrew_bradley_stonemason_ working with our squad of young people from Beeslack High School all week repairing the boundary walls at St Mungo’s Churchyard. We’re cutting out the damaging cement repairs and pointing with traditional lime mortar. The poor condition of the wall means we’re also having to carry out localised rebuilding in some places. Next week we’ll be working with Richard Fraser @limerichltd and a squad from Penicuik High School. Project funded by Penicuik Heritage Regeneration #dyw #penicuik #beeslackhigh #stonemasonry #craftskills #workexperience
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The Hermitage, Dunkeld #nationaltrustforscotland #nts #scotland #perthshire #dunkeld #thehermitage #heritage #scotlandtravel #scotlandtrip
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Kelburn Castle #kelburncastle #kelburnestate #castle #scottishcastle #scotland #grafittiart #grafitti #harling #historicscotland #heritage
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#barra #barraairport #westernisles #scotland #scottishhighlands #beach #scotland_greatshots #scotlandphotography #scotlandtravel #scotlandexplore #instascotland #loganair
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Building investigation with @andrew_bradley_stonemason_ & ZM Architecture #castlebay #isleofbarra #barra #westernisles #scotland #church #historicscotland #historicbuildings #buildingconservation
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Invaluable masonry and harling investigation work continuing at Saddell Castle…
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Working away for a few days… #hynish #tiree #isleoftiree #westernisles #scotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandtravel #hiddenscotland #scotlandbeauty #buildingsurveying #historicbuildings #historicscotland
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Working and staying here for a few days #landmarktrust #buildingsurveying #buildinginvestigation #limeharling #stonemasonry #industrialheritage #historicbuildings #heritage #kintyre #scotland #oldbuilding
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38m up, mid-January, damp with a cold breeze….very ‘refreshing’
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First building inspection of 2023. This one’s a cracker. Finavon Doocot in Angus; the largest in Scotland with 2420 nesting boxes. The front wall was rebuilt in brick during a previous “restoration” in the 1970’s, but the original walls are rubble sandstone bedded in clay mortar (the outermost facing stone appears to be bedded in a lime:sand). Evidence of original or early lime harling.
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Aberdeen Town House #granite #leadroofing #historicarchitecture #historicscotland #historicbuildings #buildingconservation #heritage #aberdeen #scotland
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View of St Andrews University & Cathedral from St Salvator’s Chapel Tower #standrews #fife #heritage #university #historicscotland #buildingconservation #stone #builtheritage
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#autumn #glasgow #glasgowuniversity #glasgowlife #historicbuildings #historicarchitecture #historicscotland #stonemasonry #sandstone #buildingconservation
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Back in Aberdeen today preparing for ‘Repairing Joinery in Traditional Buildings’ seminar and ‘Repairing & Upgrading Sash & Case Windows’ evening talk with Darren McLean. Check our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/frewconservation for future seminars, workshops & talks
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#buildingsurveying #heritagebuilding #conservation #buildingconservation #stone #timber #castiron #mill #caithness #scotland
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‘Stonemasonry & Lime Mortars’ training seminar with @andrew_bradley_stonemason_ for Union Street Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme. When in Aberdeen…
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The Crown Bar (Crown Liquor Saloon), Belfast. Originally a Victorian gin palace and restored by the National Trust #belfast #belfastcity #belfastbars #pub #heritagepub
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Back in Glasgow today for survey & meeting #harling #limewash #historicbuilding
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Crail Harbour, Fife #crail #crailharbour #fife #fifecoastalpath #eastneuk #scotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandexplore #historicscotland #historicbuildings
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View from the top @thewallacemon #stirling #scotland #architecture #scotlandtravel #scotlandexplore #beautifulscotland
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@thewallacemon #stirling #scotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandexplore #scottish #historicscotland #architecture
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Set up and ready to go at Clandon Park Open Day…
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Back to surveying today. Could be worse…
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Brodie from Beeslack High School making a lime mortar mix for repairing the boundary walls at St Mungo’s Churchyard. This weeks team have nailed it with some real work experience working with us, @andrew_bradley_stonemason_ & @limerichltd. Thanks to Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project for supporting us to provide this opportunity for Penicuik High & Beeslack High pupils #dyw #constructionskills
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Great day yesterday in Penicuik showcasing traditional building craft skills on behalf of Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project, as part of the local Hunter & Lass festival. Working with a great team; @andrew_bradley_stonemason_ @limerichltd, Jonathan Schiavone (thewoodkeeper.co.uk) & Neil Grieve. Particular thanks to the Penicuik High School & Beeslack High School pupils who popped along to see us.
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Final day for this week working with our team from Penicuik High School & Richard Fraser @limerichltd repairing the historic churchyard walls at St Mungo’s. A superb effort by all! Back next week with another team from Penicuik High & Beeslack High to continue the good work ⚒🥽
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Working with Penicuik High School pupils & @limerichltd this week on work experience project to repair part of the historic walls to St Mungo’s churchyard using traditional materials & skills. Funded by Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project #dyw #construction #heritage #stonemasonry #limemortar
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Penicuik South Church (previously Penicuik Free Church) designed by F T Pilkington, 1863. An eclectic interpretation of the Gothic style. Love how the leafy capitals are all different…
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Building survey & investigation today…
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On site at Braemar Castle today, working with @bell.ingram & Harper & Allan Masonry - we’re advising on the reinstatement of #lime #harling #limewash
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Goodbye Jedburgh, it was nice spending the day with you…
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Before & after paint removal from sandstone - another cracking job by @blastcleanscotland today. Superheated water. No chemicals or abrasives. A few stone repairs required to complete this wee job…
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A very wet survey yesterday in Edinburgh carrying out stone and mortar sampling for later analysis/matching to inform future conservation/repair work #edinburgh #heritage #stonemasonry #limemortar #drookit
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Back in Glasgow today… #glasgow #heritage #stonemasonry #kelvingroveartgalleryandmuseum
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Glasgow City Chambers….a different view #glasgow #heritage #stonemasonry
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Todays building inspection….thought the client was spying on me 👀#building #surveying #conservation #dannydevito
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Paint removal from sandstone. We always recommend trials for any paint removal and stone cleaning on older buildings. Here we’re trialling Thermatech’s superheated water system with @blastcleanscotland
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Arrived in Jedburgh to deliver traditional window repair courses this evening and tomorrow for Jedburgh CARS with @darrenmclean.it - Jedburgh Abbey had a few windows back in the day…
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First survey of 2022. John O’Groats Mill.
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Final inspection of 2021…as far as chimneys go, these ones are pretty impressive. Discussing lime mortar spec and protection for winter working and curing with @limerichltd
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A few details you can’t fully appreciate when viewed from ground/street level… #charlesrenniemackintosh #glasgow #architecture #stonemasonry
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Found these on today’s survey of a walled garden near Stirling. Entirely by coincidence an architect just called me to discuss an ongoing project in Glasgow and mentioned they had found some FREW bricks
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Temple Old Kirk
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Glenfinnan Monument @nationaltrustforscotland
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North Uist from the sky @flyloganair flight from Stornoway to Benbecula #worktravel
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Nice to find a bit of ‘real’ colour under all that ‘magnolia’....
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Kilchoman Old Parish Church, Islay, 1825 #stone #lime #harling
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Portnahaven, Isle of Islay
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#isleofjura #worktravel
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On-site stone cleaning sample trials with Thermatech superheated water system to remove impermeable ‘Linostone’ type coatings and biological staining.... positive results so far without the need for any chemicals
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Stained glass + sunlight =
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Today’s building inspection 😍
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#stone #geology #stonemason #craftskills #limemortar
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Coarse aggregate in traditional lime mortar - ideal for building, not so ideal for repointing. Mortar analysis can be helpful, but matching isn’t always appropriate. Or perhaps it needs harling and not repointing?
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You can access the following articles and publications via our website... Lime Harling Article: Journal of the Building Limes Forum, Vol.22 (published 2015) Historic Environment Scotland Technical Paper 29: Review of Hot-Mixed External Lime Coatings in Scotland 1997-2016 (published 2018) Building Limes Forum Ireland: Hot Lime Mortars Project (published 2014) Specification by Design Article: Journal of the Building Limes Forum, Vol.12 (published 2005) Bear in mind that some of these were written some time ago...our understanding of traditional materials and methods is constantly evolving. That said, constructive feedback is always welcome! https://www.frewconservation.co.uk/publications
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Morning walk along the prom #kirkcaldy #fife #braw
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I can think of worse places to spend a Friday morning...
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#lime #harling #limewash at Wardlaw Mausoleum Kirkhill
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#stone #lime #harling #limewash
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Nature wins...
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Love this 💚 - Great to be back out doing surveys & inspections...not quite the same as before but we have new operating procedures in place to keep ourselves and our clients safe 😷🧤
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Splendiferous buildings day 8. Coventry Cathedral #historicbuildings #heritage #cathedral #coventry
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Splendiferous buildings day 7. Kings College Chapel, Cambridge #stonemasonry #craftskills #heritage #historicbuilding
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Splendiferous buildings day 6. Dunmore Pineapple. #historicbuildings #stonemasonry #heritage #pineapple #scotland
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Splendiferous buildings day 5. Laws Close Kirkcaldy #historicbuildings #kirkcaldy #fife #scotland
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Splendiferous buildings (ok its a structure not building) day 4. The magnificent Forth Bridge #forthbridge #worldheritagesite #scotland #engineering
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Want to help your heritage places, during and after pandemic impacts? Join 'virtual' online accessible explorations of urban places and heritage planning seen from the pandemic: 19 June 2020, with expertise from across heritage economics, government, environment, community etc.; Q&A, polls. Morning and afternoon options from just £15+VAT virtualschool2020.ihbc.org.uk #IHBCVirtualSchool2020
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Splendiferous buildings day 3. The Egyptian House, Penzance @landmarktrust #heritage #architecture #holidaylet
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Splendiferous buildings day 2. St Conan’s Kirk, Loch Awe. #historicbuildings #heritage #scotlandexplore
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Splendiferous buildings day 1. Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral #liverpool #cathedral #modernheritage
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Laws Close #kirkcaldy #traditional #plasterwork #craftsmanship - part of the beautiful ceiling in our very first office premises back in 2012. Property conserved and managed by @scottishhistoricbuildingstrust
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Facades don’t need to be boring either #prague #holidaysnaps
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