Published today, A Survey of Thatched Buildings in Scotland is a full-colour photographic survey of every thatched building across the country, from the Shetland Islands to the Scottish Borders.

The new resource helps to build a full picture of this important part of Scotland’s vernacular built heritage. As well as containing locations, photographs and information on the type of thatch, the different techniques and its condition, it also offers an insight into the building itself, with details and stories from the owners or occupiers being featured in a number of the records.

This initiative, the first of its kind, is a partnership between The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), who carried out the survey, and Historic Environment Scotland, who grant funded the project.

Thatch was the first roofing material used in Scotland, and the country has one of the most diverse ranges of thatching materials and techniques found in Europe. Locally distinctive thatching practices and materials vary due to weather conditions and availability of natural materials including rye, heather, reed, and marram grass amongst others. In some areas, thatching continued up until the start of the 20th century.

However, factors including maintenance due to its perishable nature, changes in land use, loss of skills and other roofing materials such as corrugated iron and slate becoming widely available, led to thatched buildings largely disappearing from the Scottish landscape.

Colin Tennant, head of technical education and training at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Thatched buildings are an iconic part of our heritage and Scotland’s wider historic environment, particularly in our rural areas. They form a unique part of our diverse built heritage and culture, providing a real insight into the craft skills and traditional practices of our past.

“These new findings allow us to identify Scotland’s surviving thatched building stock and will also inform discussions with our partners in the sector on how we can help conserve these buildings for future generations, whether that be through skills training, technical advice or different funding approaches.”

It is hoped that the findings from the survey will help contribute towards a better understanding of thatch traditions, its survival and protection, whilst promoting the craft skills involved in the process and overall helping to inform the future of thatched building conservation in Scotland.

Matthew Slocombe, director of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, added: “These buildings are quintessentially Scottish and their historic value is immense. Yet perhaps because they are humble working structures or perhaps because of the very way they were built - lying low to protect and shield their former occupants – we have allowed them to slowly vanish from the radar. This survey will pay an important part in helping to safeguard and understand these valuable and iconic buildings.”

A presentation on the survey will be made to the Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group AGM on 12th October in Edinburgh.