The Scottish Lime Centre Trust offers a comprehensive one-day Lime Pointing course designed for individuals interested in the maintenance and conservation of traditional masonry structures. Held at the Merryhill Training Centre in Fife, this hands-on workshop provides participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake repointing projects confidently. The course is led by experienced professionals, including SLCT Principal Trainer and timeserved stonemason Stan Stenhouse, alongside Training Assistant Scott Brown.
Throughout the day, attendees engage in both theoretical and practical sessions covering essential topics such as the identification of original lime mortars versus inappropriate cement mortars, accurate proportioning of sand and lime binders, preparation of masonry joints, application of lime mortars with pinning stones, and understanding the curing conditions required for lime mortars to harden. The course also delves into the historic use of lime mortars and the range of binders, sands, and aggregates suitable for traditional mortars.
This course is particularly beneficial for homeowners, building custodians, and professionals responsible for the upkeep of traditional buildings. Participants are encouraged to bring images of their own projects to discuss with the tutors, facilitating personalized guidance and advice. The practical nature of the workshop ensures that attendees leave with a solid foundation in lime pointing techniques, enabling them to apply these skills to real-world scenarios.
The Lime Pointing course is priced at £164.30 plus VAT (£197.16 including VAT) and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Several dates are available throughout the year, including June 13, July 4, August 1, August 29, and September 26, 2025. Interested individuals can register for the course through the Scottish Lime Centre Trust's website.
