Hillwood House
Greyfriars Roofing were contracted to undertake the slate and leadwork roofing project on a new-build castle-style extension to Hillwood House, a B-listed mansion on a 7-acre estate in Edinburgh. Hillwood House was originally constructed around 1872 by David McKibbin and was the home of the Drambuie family.
Although this building was a new build, the challenge was to match the style and detail of the existing building. From the turret and curved rooflines to the ornate fish-scale slate patterns and handmade leadwork detail, every feature had to appear to be as though it had been part of the original 19th-century build.
The roof works were circa 470m² and included traditional slating, turret detailing, ornate leadwork, cast iron work, a bespoke finial and hand-scaled slate and leadwork throughout. The project ran for 12 months with 7 tradesmen on site daily and a total contract value of circa £400,000.
Traditional Detail & Materials
New Build Extension to B-Listed Mansion
Ornate & Bespoke Leadwork and Tiling
Free Heritage Quotes & Advice
Free Heritage Roofing Quotes & Advice
Hillwood House – Historic Roofing Gallery
Architectural Context, Design Intent, & Project Challenges
The extension was newly built but intended to replicate the grandeur and style of the original mansion. The new build included a castellated turret, high gables and stone elevations in the style of Scots Baronial architecture.
Greyfriars Roofing’s challenge was to ensure that every roof detail was as close to the historic section as possible, not only visually but also in material behaviour, weathering and installation method. Our heritage roofing expertise was vital in replicating a period style in a modern build.
Key Challenges
1. Obtaining and Dressing 45 Tons of Reclaimed Westmorland Slate
One of the primary requirements was to roof the extension in reclaimed Westmorland slate that would match the existing aged roofscape. We sourced over 45 tons of slate with a comparable patina, colour tone and geological characteristics.
The slate was hand-dressed on-site to achieve a consistent thickness and edge profile and manually re-holed to replicate traditional fixing methods and copper nail positioning. The slates were inspected daily to ensure tonal consistency and the natural variation matched the original roof.
Our commitment to authenticity meant that even though this was a new build, the roof would age and weather in harmony with the original building without any visible difference.
2. Ornate Turret with Fish-Scale Slate
One of the most intricate features was the turret that required a full fish-scale slate finish including:
Cutting and dressing over 7,000 fishtail slates by hand
Layering the slate in diminishing courses to follow the curvature and texture of the turret
Positioning the slate in traditional patterns and matching the existing turret detailing
This work was carried out with surgical precision to ensure the turret looked historically correct from both a close-up inspection and a distant view.
3. Traditional Lead and Cast Iron Detailing
To finish the roof’s period feel, we completed the following traditional works:
2m radius cast iron gutters manufactured to suit the curved rooflines around the turret
1.6m hand-made lead finial fabricated using traditional bossing and welding methods
Fully welded lead flashings, valleys and apron detail using milled lead to code
These details were essential in maintaining the function and appearance of the building and ensure the extension was aligned with the architectural language of the house.
Free Heritage Quotes & Advice
Free Heritage Roofing Quotes & Advice
Client Testimonials and Our Trusted Reputation
We believe the true measure of our work is the satisfaction of our clients. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to work on many wonderful heritage projects, and our customers’ kind words motivate us to keep our standards sky-high. One testimonial, in particular, sums up what Greyfriars is all about:
“These guys are the best. Old school as they say, and know their stuff. They have done a beautiful job with lovely lead work done to perfection. I would have no hesitation in recommending Steve and his guys to do your roof. First class!!!” – Polly Hetherington, heritage roof client in Edinburgh (via Google review).
Beyond individual testimonials, Greyfriars Roofing maintains a solid standing in the community. We often get referrals from conservation officers and architects who know our work. Our clients appreciate that we treat their historic properties with respect – we keep sites tidy, ensure scaffolding is set up safely and considerately, and strive to minimise disruption.
Hillwood House – Historic Roofing Project
Take a look at the craftsmanship behind our Hillwood House project a new build, castle style roof completed to heritage standards. This video showcases the care, precision, and traditional skills our team brings to every slate and lead detail. At Greyfriars Roofing, we’re trusted across Scotland to deliver authentic, conservation-grade roofing.
Project Approach and Execution
Given the complexity and level of craftsmanship required, we approached this project with a highly structured execution plan, drawing on decades of experience managing large scale heritage roofing works. A bespoke system was developed to ensure the installation was carried out to the highest possible standard, with no compromise on detail or finish.
To help facilitate this, we installed a conveyor system to transport the slates through the dressing process, then onto the roof to minimise any stoppage time and to reduce the risk of damage.
The roof was built up with 22mm sarking boards, breathable underlay and the slates were fixed with 50mm copper nails as they are compatible with the reclaimed slates and robust.
Throughout the works our site manager checked for alignment of slates, patina matching and course profiles daily to achieve a consistent finish on all elevations, which is especially important on a new build with reclaimed slates.
With the project carried out in this manner, we were able to deliver on time and to a conservation grade finish.
Get Your Free Estimate
Our Heritage Roofing work
Outcome: A Period Blend of Old and New
The end result at Hillwood House is a shining example of the degree of accuracy, craftsmanship and tradition that Greyfriars Roofing brings to heritage roofing. From the reclaimed Westmorland slates to the elaborate turret detailing, every part of the roof was completed with extreme precision and a strong commitment to authenticity.
The finish is near impossible to distinguish from the original 19th century roof, despite being a new addition. The reclaimed slate looks almost identical to the aging roof of the main building in both shade and surface texture. The fish-scale slating of the turret and hand-made lead finial is spot-on for the baronial style of the building, and the cast iron radius guttering is a perfect fit around the turret’s curvature.
The client was absolutely delighted with the end result, not just in terms of how it looked but also in the manner in which our team managed, cared for and behaved throughout the build. They commented on the “exquisite” finish of the roof and the way the new roof looked as if it had always been part of the estate.
What makes this project so remarkable is that Greyfriars Roofing was selected for the job through a rigorous and competitive vetting process. The client, who cares so much about the historic value of the property, undertook a review of our past work on listed buildings and heritage roofs. After assessing several contractors, it was clear that we were one of the very few companies in Scotland with the specialist knowledge, heritage roofing experience and skilled workforce to deliver a project of this scale to the required standard.
This was not just a roof to complete. It was about preserving the visual heritage of an historic estate, safeguarding material integrity for decades to come and doing so with craftsmanship that approaches art. And that’s exactly what Greyfriars Roofing did.
FAQs
What made the Hillwood House roofing project unique?
The project involved roofing a new-build extension designed to match a B-listed Scots Baronial mansion, requiring the finish to be indistinguishable from the original 19th-century structure. Achieving this level of authenticity demanded reclaimed materials, traditional craftsmanship, and expert detailing—particularly on the turret and leadwork.
What were the biggest technical challenges?
Sourcing and preparing 45 tons of reclaimed Westmorland slate to match the original roof in patina and profile was a major challenge. Additionally, the turret required over 7,000 hand-cut fishtail slates, along with a custom cast iron radius gutter and a 1.6m hand-made lead finial, all installed to conservation standards.
Why was Greyfriars Roofing chosen for this job?
The client undertook a thorough review of our previous heritage work before awarding us the contract. Our proven track record in conservation roofing, combined with our ability to replicate historic details using reclaimed slate and traditional leadwork methods, made us the natural choice for a project of this complexity.
How did Greyfriars ensure the quality of the finish?
We deployed a dedicated on-site slate dressing team, implemented a conveyor-style workflow, and carried out daily inspections to monitor patina matching, alignment, and overall appearance. Every aspect of the build was approached with heritage sensitivity and technical discipline, resulting in a finish the client described as “museum-level.”
Free Heritage Quotes & Advice
Free Heritage Roofing Quotes & Advice
