The former Dryfesdale Church and Session House, both Category B Listed, were purchased by our client in May 2025 after five years of disuse with the church itself required urgent conservation intervention. Prolonged water ingress had caused widespread deterioration, with active dry and wet rot threatening the survival of significant historic fabric.
Our Building Fabric Condition Survey identified the urgent need for works to halt the spread of dry rot through the building and as part of a fabric‑first conservation approach, Cuthbertson Preservation Ltd were appointed to undertake urgent downtakings and temporary stabilisation.
BCM Steeplejacks Ltd also undertook urgent high‑level conservation measures to reduce ongoing water ingress at the tower and spire.
A comprehensive suite of specialist surveys now underpins the conservation strategy, including stained and leaded glass assessments, lime and stone analysis by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust, lightning protection review, bell and tower structural analysis, asbestos investigations and ecological survey work. These reports inform the repair philosophy, ensuring all interventions safeguard historic significance and comply with statutory requirements.
All stone and lime work is governed by the SLCT Project Specification, while specialist glazing, bell, and lightning protection specifications carry precedence within their respective disciplines.
As a Category B Listed Building, all works are being undertaken in accordance with established conservation principles: minimum intervention, maximum retention, and like‑for‑like repair using compatible, traditional materials. Replacement of any historic fabric will only occur where preservation is demonstrably unfeasible, and all decisions are made in close consultation with the Conservation Architect and CARE‑Registered Structural Engineer. Listed Building Consent has been submitted, and statutory notifications will be managed throughout the project.
Phase 1 represents the critical stabilisation stage of a multi‑phased conservation programme. It follows the initial enabling works and focuses on essential external fabric repairs and the consolidation of the church structure, ensuring the building is secure, dry and suitable for future adaptation into a memorial museum. No works are proposed at this stage to the adjacent Session House or the listed boundary walls.
