Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Edinburgh

Client: Historic Scotland

Project Value: £5m

The delicate gothic sandstone of Robert Rowan Anderson’s massive spired Gallery had entirely crumbled, resulting in the need to demolish the spires for public safety. A rolling programme of replacement was planned over 10 years, with the rebuilding of the monumental elaborate spires completed in 1996. statuary, ballustrading and all wall coverings were later repaired and replaced, while cornices were recut and concealed modified mouldings added. The project required detailed investigation into weathering, sourcing of large quantities of replacement stonework, research into Victorian spire construction and statue consolidation resulting in a more durable National monument.