Article Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Last Updated: 3 July 2018 16:52
Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre showcases Scotland’s built heritage both locally and internationally in first year of operation
Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre, The Engine Shed, celebrates its first birthday today (Tuesday 3 July) after reaching key milestones in its first year, including welcoming over 15,000 visitors and winning a number of awards.
In addition to smashing its visitor target, Scotland’s national conservation hub engaged over 2,700 school pupils, offered 288 free space hire bookings to stakeholders across the sector and developed international partnerships with a range of key heritage organisations.
As a centre for traditional buildings, science and technology in Scotland, The Engine Shed’s reach has extended far beyond Scotland with expertise being sought-after across the globe. The Engine Shed, in partnership with the White House Historical Association, organised for a stonemason to carve a double rose replacement stone for the White House in Washington. To celebrate this, an exhibition on ‘Scots who built the White House’ will be held at the Engine Shed this autumn.
Recently, the Engine Shed partnered with the Forbidden City and Palace of Museum in Beijing to curate an exhibition at Stirling Caste on traditional skills which featured two replica Chinese terracotta warriors. The Engine Shed has also hosted senior government officials from China, Sweden, Norway and South Korea and delivered international conferences for the Association of Preservation Trust International (USA) and Stirling University.
Alongside generating international interest, the Engine Shed has secured its place as a firm Scottish attraction and will continue to develop innovative and fun family-friendly events and activities. This summer, the Engine Shed will run a series of free ‘Skills and Thrills’ workshops which will focus on traditional building skills including stonemasonry, surveying, timber engineering and brick construction. There will also be workshops on creating traditional buildings out of LEGO as well as designing a sports ground using 3D pens in celebration of the 2018 Special Olympics Anniversary Games. This autumn a digital festival will bring experts from across the world to share their knowledge and experience of new and emerging technologies.
The Engine Shed, run by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), serves as a central hub for building and conservation professionals and the general public. Recently, the Engine Shed was awarded ‘Best Building 2018’ and ‘Best Use of Stone’ at the Stirling Society of Architects Design Awards 2018 and was named one of Scotland’s best new buildings at the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Awards 2018.
Dr David Mitchell, Director of Conservation at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Scotland’s heritage assets are renowned across the world and we are dedicated to ensuring that Scotland is also recognised as the place which leads research and technological innovation in caring for these important cultural and economic assets. As well as being key assets for the future, traditional buildings are also able to deliver innovation in areas not normally associated with heritage and culture. We see this as a key area for continued development.
“The Engine Shed building itself showcases how traditional skills and materials continue to be relevant – Scottish materials are high quality, sustainable and ethically sourced – we can learn much from the past to inform the future’
“The work of the Engine Shed focuses on combining tradition with technology and encouraging a new generation to think differently about heritage.”
The success of the Engine Shed has also been hailed across the sector. John McKinney, Manager at the National Federation of Roofing Contractors - Scotland said: “The Engine Shed provides the essential hub to coordinate activities which promote traditional building skills and materials to a wide range of stakeholders across Scotland and beyond, and is a great example of how a traditional building can be adapted for modern use and show what an important role our existing buildings have in the future of Scotland.”
Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREStirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MOREExcavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORENew research released by VisitScotland reveals the growing popularity of Scottish traditional music, finding that over a third of Scots (34%) are listening to it more often in the past year.
READ MOREThe public was treated to a surprise choir performance against the backdrop of the National Wallace Monument in Stirling to mark Marie Curie's Day of Reflection this weekend.
READ MOREA stellar line-up of authors are set to take Paisley by storm at this year's Paisley Book Festival in April!
READ MOREThe AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is back on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, and the Earlybird offer to save up to £8 off your entry ends this Friday 1st March at 10am.
READ MOREA Scottish author's poignant tale of generosity and kindness has raised £2,262 to help the homeless.
READ MOREDobbies is offering customers the chance to treat the mother figures in their lives to an indulgent Mother's Day Afternoon Tea experience and a special flower gift on March 9th & 10th.
READ MORESTEP, in partnership with Forth Valley Food and Drink, is thrilled to announce a series of engaging business events throughout March.
READ MOREA project involving the University of Stirling, Stirling Council and a group of volunteers has uncovered a historic folly on the university grounds.
READ MOREAn Impassioned photo-led exhibition that depicts the challenge, pride and responsibility felt by those working in Scotland’s fishing industry is to debut within the Scottish Parliament.
READ MOREThe Scottish Influencer Awards, the major awards ceremony celebrating Scotland's stars of social, has announced the full shortlist of nominees in the running to be named the Influencer of the Year.
READ MOREDobbies is encouraging gardeners of all ages and skill levels across the country to get one of their 5 a day by learning how to grow soft fruits at one of its free workshops in March.
READ MOREScotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this Valentine's weekend and is putting love on display as the country celebrates 10 years of same sex marriage.
READ MOREA shortlist of finalists for the 2024 Stirling Business Awards has been announced after more than 22,000 votes were cast during the selection process.
READ MORETo mark the anniversary of Mary Queen of Scots’ death, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has released a digital 3D model of her death mask.
READ MORERory McIlroy will return to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick from July 11th-14th, with tickets on sale now!
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, will be indulging people of all ages with its Valentine's Afternoon Tea, taking place across 68 of its stores on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 February!
READ MOREFollowing a sell-out run at the Fringe, Jack Docherty, the BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad and Absolutely, is taking his critically-acclaimed show David Bowie & Me: Parallel Lives on tour.
READ MOREWith less than four weeks until the first World Athletics Indoor Champion Glasgow 24 is crowned, organisers have revealed the medal specially commissioned for the event following a design competition.
READ MOREWorld-renowned festival Celtic Connections drew to a triumphant close last night after 18 days of spectacular sold-out concerts, innovative musical sessions and star-studded collaborations.
READ MOREStirling’s first Gingerbread Trail has been hailed a success by the city’s business community and families who took part in the challenge.
READ MORETaking over the whole of the SEC campus from tomorrow, The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show, the biggest show of its kind in Scotland is not to be missed!
READ MORE