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In September 2024, Helensburgh CARS successfully recruited an apprentice who will work through training to achieve SVQ Level 2 horticulture at SCQF level 5 and any other training as required based within Hermitage Park. 

Past Events

Lime and Mortar taster days for schools

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Helensburgh CARS in connection Historic Environment Scotland hosted “lime mortar taster days” for School pupils aged 16-18 in June 2024.  Both days were well attended and the pupils enjoyed learning about lime mortar and putting their new skills into practice on the wall at Hermitage Park.  

Participant comments

Banging

Enjoyable

Something different

Mint

Lime Mortar training course 

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The Lime Mortar Training course was held over two days in May 2024 and was in collaboration with The Scottish Lime Mortar Trust, Historic Environment Scotland and ߣsir��Ƶ and Bute Council.  

With many traditional skills in decline the aim of the course was to educate and promote the use of traditional materials to further the preservation of Scottish Buildings and to give home owners practical skills to repair their own buildings. 

The course included classroom sessions on the uses/application and types of Lime mortar with a couple of mathematical equations thrown in and practical sessions in the application of lime to repair the Hermitage park Memorial wall. 

Participant Comments

It is my intention to put the new skills and knowledge to use in my own home.  The house was long-term empty (10 years) prior to us buying it, so it helps to bring another house back into the housing supply in ߣsir��Ƶ & Bute.  More courses like this would be beneficial for the area in this respect.

Thanks again, awesome, unforgettable. Very envious of your job.

I go on a lot of courses. This is the only course I have ever attended where everyone was highly enthusiastic and clearly enjoying every minute. No one was keen to leave. Credit to the organisers for this. I’ve gained a real appreciate for lime but also older buildings in general. 

The skills I have gained are hopefully in looking at the bigger picture in restoration and conservation .  Now I can’t un see the dreadful cement in many walls, the importance of checking the gutters first! And simply just to have a go; I’ve a wall that I will hopefully lime render in the near future.  There is a definite need to preserve these traditional skills and  If I were ten years younger I’d definitely consider a career in a traditional skill such as lime rendering!