JML Contracts lends expertise to Kisimul Castle conservation
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Historic Kisimul Castle on Barra is undergoing a major conservation project
JML Contracts is playing a key role in the conservation of a medieval Scottish castle.
Barra’s Kisimul Castle - the ancestral home of the Macneil clan for centuries – is regarded as a jewel in the crown of the Hebrides.
Historic Environment Scotland is spearheading “essential conservation works” on the 15th Century stronghold.
Auchterarder-based JML Contracts won the tender to handle the latest phase of a project which will help secure the long-term future of the island stronghold and provide safe access for tourists lured to Castlebay.
The JML Contracts team on the steps of Kisimul Castle
John Langley, owner and director of the family firm, said the HES commission followed on the back of a slipway restoration contract they recently carried out on the island, designed to facilitate visitors when the castle reopens.
“It has certainly been one of our more challenging logistical projects, given the location and sensitivity of this world-famous historic property,” said John.
“But it is one that will live long in the memories of our six-man team who were warmly welcomed by the people of Barra.”
Scottish oak beams, sourced from Burty’s Timber near Forfar, were precut and prepared in advance in the JML Contracts’ Auchterarder factory.
Freddie Langley, Archie Jaffery Smith, Bertie Dunbar and Cieran Whitley do some of the heavy lifting
“A significant amount of planning and preparation works were key to the project’s success but when logistical challenges like a five-hour ferry from Oban, along with daily local boat trips across the bay to the castle and the requirement of a helicopter for delivering all the materials, you are still hoping the weather Gods smile kindly on you,” admitted John.
“In addition, we were working in a highly sensitive environment, ensuring that various historic artefacts like a collection of muskets and an armorial remained well protected.
“It was part of the HES project to strengthen the interior of the castle. Beams and blocks were crafted and prepared at our factory, weighed, wrapped up and dispatched by lorry to a site in an old quarry near Castlebay.
“The helicopter was limited to a maximum load of 900kg, so everything was carefully weighed and tagged beforehand.
Foreman Ross Keir gets to work on a faulty floor crane
“The pilot was highly skilled with the right flying qualifications for operating close to buildings. The largest beam was six meters long, weighed in at half a ton and had to be landed precisely within the confines of the castle courtyard.
“The floor supports for the Great Hall had to be carefully manoeuvred into position by the team.
“The walls are hundreds of years old and far from straight but because we were working within a Scheduled Monument, we had to work with what was there.”
Unfortunately, the weather didn’t play ball for a 48-hour slot which meant the helicopter had to be delayed, but the crew wasn’t idle.
The JML Contracts personnel maintained a tradition by signing the underside of an oak beam after discovering a stonemason’s mark on one of the original castle walls
“When we realised the JML Contracts team couldn’t work as planned on the castle over the weekend, we tasked them with a litter-picking and clean-up exercise through the town and on various Barra beaches, which was appreciated by the locals and gave our guys a chance to explore more of the beautiful island,” said John.
“The residents are looking forward to the castle being accessible again as it is a major tourist attraction for the Island and I can see why.
“The setting is truly spectacular and there are many boat trips around the castle and exploring the local coastline.
“Hopefully JML Contracts will get the opportunity to be involved in the next phase of this exciting HES conservationproject, which involves further structural work on other areas of the castle.”
The JML Contracts team took on a Barra beach litter pick when the helicopter was grounded by the weather
James MacPherson, district architect at HES, said: “We are delighted to be progressing works to the interior of the castle which is a key milestone in our programme of conservation work and is another step forward in our long-term plans to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors.
“We appreciate that the communities of Barra and Vatersay are keen to showcase Kisimul Castle to visitors who arrive from all over the world, and we will continue to work closely with the local community.
“We are pleased to run seasonal boat trips around the bay and Castle again this year and hope visitors enjoy exploring the wider area while access to the Castle is currently restricted.”
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