Repairs to Clackmannan Tolbooth approved by Clackmannanshire Council

Works can go ahead at the Category A listed Tolbooth in Clackmannan after the plans were given the thumbs up by the local authority.

Traditional external lime finishes are to be reinstated at the Main Street building, initially erected in 1592 with the belfry tower, visible today, built around 1680.

It comes after the need for “urgent and necessary” fabric repairs were identified last December to preserve the unique structure “of outstanding interest”.

According to a submission by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust (SLCT), there are no surviving tollbooths of medieval date in Scotland and only a very few from the last quarter of the 16th century.

As previously reported, another inspection report attached to the planning application read: “Civic buildings, like the tower, from the 17th century, are very rare survivors in Scotland.

“This makes the belfry tower a historically important artefact and an architecturally significant structure.

“However, the inspection has identified that the tower has been subjected to neglect and a series of inappropriate repairs over many years.

REPAIRS: Works have been agreed to carry out a package of fabric repairs at Clackmannan Tolbooth

“These repairs are not suitable for this type of simple sandstone construction and a category A listed building.

“The likely cause of pieces of masonry and cement mortar falling to the ground during a recent storm is because the original lime mortar in the joints of the sandstone have been over pointed using a hard cement render.

“The only way to prevent the potential for further falls like this is to remove all cement pointing from the building and replace with a more suitable and traditional lime rich mortar.”

Previously installed synthetic single ply covering the belfry roof will be replaced with lead on top of the original sarking boards.

Cement pointing will be removed to be replaced with suitable lime mortar and lime harl will be applied to the external walls of the belfry tower.

Various masonry repairs will also be carried out to repair or indent stone including walls, cills, margins and cornices.

According to documents, Historic Environment Scotland are content with the proposed method of repairs and while slate would be the preference for the roof given historical evidence, “they have no strong concerns about the use of lead”.

It is understood Clackmannan Development Trust strongly supports the proposals to preserve “this important monument.”