Western Isles Thatch Audit

Overview

In Na h-Eileanan Siar (the Western Isles) and across Scotland, the conservation of thatched buildings is being impacted by the difficulty of sourcing traditional, local thatching materials. As a result, many buildings have been re-thatched with materials that do not match their original roof coverings or that have been transported long distances.

HES has carried out extensive research into historical thatching techniques and the use of thatch in Scotland. The availability of thatching materials however has changed over time, due mainly to changing agronomy, culture, regulations and climate. Against that backdrop, HES have commissioned this report as a resource to support and safeguard the availability of materials used for thatching in the Western Isles and Scotland. The report summarises research into natural and cultivated thatching materials in the Western Isles and makes recommendations for future research.