Burgie glasshouse in Moray, Scotland (June-October 2017)
An Edwardian glasshouse, largely forgotten as it sits on a country estate in Scotland, caught the interest of building conservation enthusiasts from the US, Canada, and Australia.
If you look closely, remnants of a grand past, that provided flowers and greenery for the manor, can be found.
The Burgie glasshouse was originally built in 1912, and it belongs to a world that no longer exists. The social structures of Edwardian Britain eroded after the First World War, and the rural economy and lifestyle changed forever, leading to the demise of the glasshouse.
WWOOFers (agricultural volunteers) working at the Burgie estate arboretum contacted Adventures in Preservation (AiP), telling us the historic glasshouse would soon be lost if there were no intervention. Their story was compelling!
Hamish Lochore, owner of the estate, is creating an 80-acre arboretum, where he grows trees, both endangered Scottish species as well as exotic species that a huge international network send him (legally, of course!). The Burgie glasshouse, or greenhouse, fosters these tree seeds as they grow to seedlings and reach a size for planting in the arboretum.
Despite the milder microclimate of the Moray coast, tiny seedlings of exotic varieties need a little help in their earliest years before they’re ready to brave the Scottish weather. And this is where the historic greenhouse is an absolute necessity. The purpose of the arboretum is to determine which trees will thrive in the area’s unique microclimate as the world’s climate changes.
Hands-on Work and Results
In June, Adventures in Preservation brought fourteen volunteers — women of all ages — to join Stephanie Weinraub, the building conservator leading the work. In just two weeks, the group took on the entire wooden framework of the central glasshouse — scraping, sanding, applying linseed oil to dry wood, priming and in some areas applying the first of two final coats of paint. An amazing feat!; accomplished due to 595 hours of donated labor.
Six AiP volunteers arrived in September — one a retired glazier — to take on the daunting task of glazing the entire central glasshouse. We didn’t know if it was possible, but still had the expectation of finishing before we left. With unexpected help from a local roofer and help from Hamish, over 250 pieces of glass were laid in place with linseed oil putty, about a third of them custom cut to fit irregular spaces.
Remarkably, the two weeks were almost entirely free of rain, which only set in as we were cleaning up on the final Friday. What a sight — standing under a sparkling new glass roof, all accomplished with 336 hours of donated labor from our spectacular volunteers.
An outstanding success!
Fun and Feedback
Even though we worked hard, we still managed a fun-filled two-day tour of the mystical Isle of Skye. Excursions nearer the Burgie estate included a tour of Johnstons of Elgin, a cashmere mill established in 1797; sheepdog trials viewed from a blustery hillside; walks along the firth at Findhorn, and more.
“The trip to Skye far exceeded my expectations. From the wonderful tour company to the admission for a few excursions being included, it was one unexpected delight after another. I really can’t say enough good things about this trip!”
“The project was very meaningful and it really felt like you were doing important work. Being able to hear Hamish’s passion gave real life to the project.”
— AiP volunteer
Still Work to be Done
AiP would like to continue this success story in 2018. Much remains to do in the central glasshouse, including conservation of doors, plant stands and mechanical systems. The historic east room, built only a year after the central glasshouse, is beautifully styled and near collapse.
2019 Follow-up
Adventures in Preservation returned to the Burgie greenhouse in October 2019 and took on conservation of the historic east room. An amazing group of nine motivated women came from Canada and the US to take on the job. In two weeks the wooden frame was repaired, new glass was cut and re-glazing was almost completed.
We convinced one lone Frenchman to leave his work in the arboretum and join us on the scaffolding to work on glazing. When AiP volunteers had to head home, Maxime put in a spectacular effort to finish the remaining glazing. A total of 413 hours of donated labor resulted in complete conservation of the east room.
