Renovations - Phase One

The new roof was reconstructed despite appalling weather and gale force winds.  First the slates were numbered and removed. Apparently a feature of a Caithness slate roof is the slates are of differing weights and sizes. The biggest and heaviest were laid at the bottom and then decreased in size and weight up to the ridge. About 50% of the slates have been reused, most of which are over 150 years old. All the old wooden trusses were removed. These were rotten through and most of the wood was burned. It was interesting looking at the construction as all the nails were wooden and everything fitted together beautifully.

Of course with the roof removed the house was open to the sky and the elements. Tarpaulins were laid in the upstairs rooms, but as the whole house was to be gutted not much else was done. One evening I did sit in some despair at the foot of the stairs gazing up to the sky, with rain pouring down the walls and overflowing the tarpaulins through to the rooms below.

However, the wooden trusses were replaced fairly quickly, with wooden battens nailed across them horizontally, then covered in “felt”, and more battens nailed across. There are also small plastic tubes under the edge of the roof to provide ventilation, and some lead flashing to act as a gutter for rainwater. The slates were then nailed into place, one chimney rebuilt, and the skews added.

All of the new windows were fitted, fully sealed against the weather.  Until the new windows were fitted Sandside had most of the windows boarded up, so it is wonderful to walk through the house with light streaming through the new windows.  The first time I walked up the stairs into the shining rays it was a wonderful experience!  The landing had been dark and dingy for so long you almost needed a torch to move across it, but not anymore!

Phase One of the renovations was completed in January 2001.