Perth pupils learn traditional stonemasonry techniques

A group of Perth teenagers learned the secrets of one of the Fair City’s historic trades during a work experience week.

Pupils from St John’s RC Academy worked with building maintenance company LimeRich, where they were taught traditional stonemasonry techniques.

The youngsters’ new skills were put to good use earlier this month when they improved parts of Perth’s Murray Royal Hospital.

They removed concrete plaster from a stone wall and covered it with lime mortar, which is more in keeping with the city’s traditional buildings.

Will Miller, school technician at St John’s RC Academy, said: “The whole week was centred around using traditional building skills and gave the kids to get a chance at doing something that isn’t very common and well known.

“The main thing is the kids really enjoyed it.”

Six pupils – Declan Quinn, Luc Hallett, Lewis Beveridge, Niko Czarnik, Jacob Dewar and James Simpson – took part in the programme, in partnership with Fife-based historic building experts Frew Conservation.

Stonemasonry and slating are among Perth’s most historic trades and the skills are still used today to maintain some of the city’s oldest buildings.

Last month a traditional building skills roadshow was held in the city centre to celebrate the trades.

It featured demonstrations of stone carving, slating and joinery, as well as question and answer sessions with experts in building conservation and repairs.

St John’s RC Academy pupils improved a wall at the hospital.