Tigh-Nan-Ubhal

What We Did

The existing roof was carefully stripped, with each original slate individually inspected, cleaned, dressed and graded according to its size, thickness and condition.

The roof was then reinstated using traditional diminishing courses, with larger slates positioned at the eaves and gradually reducing in size towards the ridge. Each slate was hand-holed and double-fixed using solid copper nails to provide long-term durability in the exposed Highland environment.

To complement the historic roofing materials, a TLX Batsafe breathable roofing membrane was installed beneath the slate. This provided effective moisture management while also meeting ecological requirements by allowing protected bats to safely use the roof space.

The completed roof combines original and reclaimed Ballachulish slate with modern roofing technology, preserving the traditional appearance of the property while providing improved protection and performance.

By reusing approximately half of the original roof covering, the project also helped preserve an increasingly scarce part of Scotland’s roofing heritage while reducing the need for replacement materials.