Stonemason - Stirling Castle

Historic Scotland; Lewes; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Historic Environment Scotland seeks a skilled Stonemason based at the Stirling Depot to conserve, maintain and preserve masonry across HES monuments in the Stirling area, including Stirling Castle.

You will assist with conservation and routine maintenance, train apprentices in traditional masonry and support staff as required, with transport provided to sites within the depot area.

Qualifications

• Time served tradesperson with stonemasonry knowledge and conservation practices.
• Experience with conservation, presentation and repair of historic monuments/listed buildings.
• Practical experience using lime mortars.
• Competent in stone cutting, hewing and repair.
• Experience building random rubble and ashlar stonework.
• Able to train apprentices and support open days.

Responsibilities

• Conserve, maintain and preserve masonry at Historic Environment Scotland monuments within the Stirling Depot area.
• Assist with routine maintenance and presentation at Stirling Castle and other sites.
• Train and instruct apprentices in masonry trades.
• Work under the direction of Lead Mason and travel to depot sites as required.
• Represent the MCU at open days if required.

Skills

Stonemasonry

Conservation practices

Lime mortar experience

Stone cutting

Education

SVQ4/SVQF6 in Stonemasonry

Tools

Stone cutting tools

Job description

Thank you for your interest in the post of Stonemason with Historic Environment Scotland that will be based at our Stirling Depot. This is a permanent, full-time position. The Monument Conservation Unit (MCU) based in Stirling is tasked with the responsibility for conservation, maintenance and presentation works within the Stirling depots remit. You will assist with conservation, and routine maintenance works to HES monuments in the Stirling Depot area including one of our flagship sites, Stirling Castle. The Monument Conservation Units (MCU) are based throughout Central Scotland and consist of stonemasons, joiners, painters, gardeners, labourers and apprentices of varying trades. The teams are headed by Lead Masons who have direct line management responsibilities for this team. As a Stonemason in our Stirling Depot, you will have responsibility for the on-going conservation and maintenance and preservation of masonry at Historic Environment Scotland monuments within your area which include Stirling Castle, Mars Wark, Stirling Old Bridge and Argyll’s Lodging. You will help train and instruct apprentices in all aspects of the trade and provide information and instruction to support staff as required. You may also be asked to be involved in showing masonry skills at open days. You will be expected to work at any location as directed by the Lead Mason within the depot area. Official transport is provided to and from the various sites within the Depot areas. Individuals are however expected to make their own way to the MCU Depot.

• Be a time served tradesperson
• Proven knowledge of the stonemasonry trade and other traditional building crafts. In particular an understanding and knowledge of current conservation practises and techniques relating to historic buildings and monuments.
• Good understanding and practical experience of the conservation, presentation and repair of Historic Monuments and/or listed buildings.
• Good all-round understanding and practical experience of using lime mortars.
• SVQ level 4 or SVQF level 6 (advanced craft) in Stonemasonry.
• Competent in all aspects of stone cutting, hewing practices and techniques.
• Competent in stone repair, indenting and the various practices and techniques used.
• Competent in building of stonework of both random rubble and ashlar work.