7.2.9 Building Traditions

Far more research is needed into the materials and construction techniques used in Scottish medieval buildings. Study of standing buildings has largely focused on exceptional, and relatively high-status, structures such as castles and churches. This is understandable as they are more likely to survive. Yet, in Perth and Kinross we may have the opportunity to investigate more ‘ordinary’ vernacular buildings, both in urban and rural contexts.

In Perth itself the recording of standing buildings has revealed intriguing traces of medieval structures. Evidence of medieval construction has been found in buildings on Perth High Street and in properties outside the traditional core of the burgh (Bowler and Barton 2008, 4–5). For example, medieval remains are present in the cellars of the King James Pub (MPK19095; formerly Christie’s Bar) on Kinnoull Street. Surveys of historic buildings in Perth, and further afield, may well reveal valuable evidence embedded in cellars, party walls and roof spaces. More widespread use of dendrochronology on standing buildings could also be helpful, especially given the tendency for older timbers to be reused in later structures.

Image of a basement with boxes and a fridge, centred on an old brick wall, which has been partially plastered and painted white. The portion of wall is clearly older than the rest of the basement.
Medieval building remains in the cellar at Christie’s Bar ©️ HES

The history of timber construction in Perth and Kinross deserves more study. Although Scottish architecture was later dominated by stone buildings, the Middle Ages seem to have seen significant numbers of wooden buildings. Perth has produced extensive evidence for medieval timber construction, including the reuse of ship’s timbers to build houses, as evidenced by the High Street excavations (Martin and Bogdan 2012, 317–22). In particular, the Perth High Street excavations provided valuable waterlogged timbers (Murray 1980; Perry et al 2010). Some initial dendrochronological analysis of these timbers was undertaken in the 1970s, when such an approach was relatively pioneering in Scotland (Crone and Baillie 2010). This initial research revealed that several of the native oak timbers excavated at Perth High Street dated from the 12th and 13th centuries. Yet, despite this early promise, little further dendrochronological work has been undertaken on excavated timbers from Perth.

Black and white excavation image of weaved willow to create a large square wall, fence or roof.
Remains of wattle preserved at Perth High Street ©️ HES
Black and white excavation photo showing preserved remains of a wattle roof or wall, as well as timber posts and beams.
Structural remains preserved at Perth High Street ©️ HES

Stone, turf and clay are all building materials thought to have been used in Perth and Kinross in the Middle Ages. Unsurprisingly, stone is the likeliest of these to leave significant remains. Systematic study of medieval stone construction in Perth and Kinross, including the recording of masons’ marks, where relevant, would be beneficial. Yet upland earthwork sites also offer considerable potential for study. Comparison of construction techniques between various parts of Perth and Kinross might prove of interest. Late medieval writers commented on the difference between buildings in the Highlands and in the Lowlands. It could be helpful to see if the physical evidence also shows signs of distinctive styles of construction in upland and lowland areas.

Roofing materials and construction is another topic which requires far more research. Interdisciplinary approaches may prove revealing, at least regarding urban and high-status sites. For obvious reasons, physical evidence for medieval roofs is harder to come by than for the foundations of buildings. However, the burgh of Perth has produced two decorative ceramic roof finials, a significant number of ceramic peg tiles, fragments of glazed ridge tiles and a limited selection of stone slates and a single roof shingle (Di Folco and Hall 2012, 75–7; Curteis et al 2012, 288, illus 194; Walker 2001, 168–9). A number of medieval roof tiles and slates were also found at Elcho Priory (Reid and Lye 1988, 57, 80). These finds suggest similarities between medieval Scottish roofing trends, at least on religious sites and in urban areas such as Perth, and contemporary practices in Continental Europe.

Research Priorities

PKARF Agenda 7.32: Identify the remains of medieval standing buildings in Perth and Kinross. 

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PKARF Agenda 7.33: Supporting the use of dendrochronology and other scientific techniques to date and analyse medieval buildings in the region.

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PKARF Agenda 7.34: Undertaking comparative research into building design in upland and lowland Perth and Kinross.

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Research Questions

PKARF Qu 7.65: What medieval buildings survive in Perth and Kinross?

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PKARF Qu 7.66: What building materials and techniques were used in Perth and Kinross in the Middle Ages?

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What building materials and techniques were used in Perth and Kinross in the Middle Ages?
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PKARF Qu 7.67: How common was the reuse of timbers from ships in medieval buildings in the region?

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PKARF Qu 7.68: Is there notable variation in the design and construction of medieval buildings across the different areas of Perth and Kinross?

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PKARF Qu 7.69: How do urban and rural buildings differ?

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PKARF Qu 7.70: What evidence is there for interior decoration?

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