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Axis 3 The quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy
Option 20 - Improving access
What is this about
Most people prefer to use clear, identified paths for enjoying access in the outdoors. This option aims to help upgrade and enhance paths/routes that were previously footpaths only to make them accessible to a fuller range of users, including members of the public, cyclists, horse riders and persons with disabilities. This option will provide enhanced paths and signs, to encourage responsible public outdoor access for the full range of users, and to integrate access with good land management. This will have wider benefits for health improvement and increased physical activity. By providing marked paths, you can encourage local people and visitors to exercise their access rights on paths which are best suited for the purpose.
Support will be available for the priorities of enhancing and marking paths and routes which link to local networks, give access to attractive places, or meet a local need. This option can include access to inland water, such as lochs and rivers. These access facilities and improvements will provide a sustainable resource for nearby communities, visitors, and enterprises, and give broad social and economic benefits, along with better opportunities for local outdoor access and recreation.
What will this achieve
This option will encourage land managers to
- enhance and mark access paths/routes for all types of users to help them exercise their rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003,
- encourage the use of routes that provide public benefits and integrate responsible access with land management activities.
What you must do
Support will be given for enhancing and marking existing paths/routes which meet the priorities of:
- linking to local networks,
- giving access to points of attraction, or
- meeting local needs of the full range of users, including access to core paths.
The full range of users includes members of the public, cyclists, horse riders and persons with disabilities.
Paths must be continuous across your land, and must be suitable for appropriate use all year round. Routes to inland water are also eligible. The path/route and the associated eligible capital items must meet all of the technical specifications contained at the end of this option. This includes being well-drained, fit for the intended purpose, free from obstructions, signposted and waymarked, and regularly inspected.
Separate copies of the map must be submitted to your local SGRPID Area Office and to your local access officer by 31 August in year one of your agreement. This is to inform the local authority or national park authority, and to help ensure that the proposal meets at least one of the criteria set out above. It may also be used as the basis for public information on access opportunities.
Who can apply
The measure is available to all rural land managers.
When you are planning your path application, you must inform your local authority (or national park authority in a national park) access officer, to help ensure that it meets at least one of the priorities and the technical specifications below. Every effort must be made to link your path into other local path networks, and local access officers can provide useful advice on existing and proposed local path networks.
How to apply
Complete Section 4 of the LMO application form using one of the following codes. The code for Enhancement is LMOIAM. The total applied for should be an estimate of 75% of the cost but the claim will be limited to the amount on the application.
If you are applying for a capital item then use the following codes. The code required for a Boardwalk is LMOIAW, for a bridge LMOIAB and if it is a Culvert enter LMOIAC. The amount applied for should be an estimate of 75% of the cost and we will pay up to a maximum of £150 for each item.
Eligibility criteria
You cannot apply to enhance a path that is already being enhanced, managed or maintained by another organisation or individual. Applicants must confirm that no other funding mechanism or organisation is enhancing, managing or maintaining any of the paths or facilities/capital items claimed for under this application. This is in addition to the declaration that you are not claiming payments under any other scheme.
All tarmac/bitumen surfaced motor-vehicle tracks are ineligible.
The path must meet at least one of the improving access priorities and all of the technical specifications.
Improving access priorities
1. Linking to local networks
The path must link with other routes within and at the boundaries of your land and form part of a wider network. If your path starts at or crosses a public road, consider road safety and talk to your local authority roads department before submitting your application.
2. Give access to points of attraction
The path must provide reasonably direct access across your land, providing access to a feature(s) of interest such as a viewpoint, loch, cultural or historical feature.
3. Meet a local need
If the path does not connect to a wider network and does not give access to points of attraction, you must demonstrate that it serves some other clear purpose or meets a local need.
The bridge capital item available under this measure is only eligible where the bridge is of a type which is not designed for motorised vehicle use. The bridge will be for members of the public exercising their rights under Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 to link two paths or routes together and cannot be used for vehicle infra-structure purposes.
Path development and improvement related items under this option cannot be supported for the same access provision purpose being undertaken in other options in the Scotland Rural Development Programme. These include:
- Provision or improvements of roads bridges culverts, gates; or formation or improvement of access track to land improvement areas as part of the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme.
- Provision and upgrading of infrastructure related to access to farm and forest land, energy supplies and water management and Access creation for sustainable forest management.
- Livestock tracks, gates and river crossings.
- Sustainable management of forests and woodlands.
- Woods in and around towns challenge fund.
- Support for diversification outwith agriculture.
- Support for the development and creation of micro-enterprises.
- Provision, development or upgrading of small scale tourist faculties by land managers.
- Information and awareness raising.
- Area access management and monitoring, and creation and upgrading of paths and routes.
- Forests for people challenge fund.
- Provisions of leisure, recreation, sporting, catering and other rural community services and facilities.
What costs could be supported
This is a five year management agreement and we will pay 75% of actual costs supported by invoices. We will pay for items referred to in the technical specification which deliver enhanced path works you have undertaken to improve access as including removing overgrown plants and grass, controlling weed encroachment, installing filter drains, providing gates, signposts and waymarkers.
You can also claim for the one-off costs of installing certain capital items. The rate of support is 75% of costs for installing boardwalks, bridges, and culverts (up to a maximum of £150 for each item). All capital items must be completed before the applicant can claim for the path enhancement works
The capital items purchased under this option must be retained in good condition for 5 years unless you can provide evidence that:
i. force majeure applies; or
ii. the items have been replaced with an eligible item of equivalent or higher specification.
Inspections/verifications
For verification purposes the applicant must keep the receipts for all costs incurred. The applicant must identify the route on a 1:10,000 map showing the location of the path to be managed and the location and type of capital items for which the applicant is claiming funding. The map, receipts and any written confirmation must be retained for inspection purposes.
The inspector will check that the enhancement work and items are the same as specified in the approval, meet at least one of the improving access priorities, meet the technical specifications, are in working order, are being used for the specified purpose, that the claimed costs are justified. They will also check that the location of the path/route being enhanced and any associated capital items match their location on the map.
Evidence
We will send you a claim form which you must submit along with the supporting documentation by 31 August of the year following application. The evidence you provide must include detailed invoices and any other documentation in support of your claim for payment.
List of links to relevant technical guidance
The following sources may contain further information about path enhancement, management and technical information on capital items.
Information on how to provide enhanced access for people with disabilities is available in " BT Countryside for All" www.fieldfare.org.uk .
Information on path management is available on "Lowland Path Construction Guide" www.pathsforall.org.uk or about "Upland Path Management" from SNH.
Information on item designs and structures - Countryside Access Design Guide
http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/accessguide
Information on signposts and bridges - "Signpost Guidance" and "Path Bridges" www.pathsforall.org.uk
To find your local access officer go to www.outdooraccess-scotland.com and click on the map for Access Contact which is on the home page. You can also find out more about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code on the website.
Technical specifications.
1. Well-drained
- The path must stay firm and dry in all weather conditions. After heavy rain, water should drain away quickly without damaging the path. Good drainage is key to achieving this.
- Excavate intercepting ditches to a minimum depth of 250mm with stable slopes and establish suitable outfalls. Install filter drains of a minimum depth of 400mm and width of 300mm, backfill with coarse stone material and establish suitable outfall.
- Clear out potholes of loose and soft material and backfill with compacted weather resistant material, the finished levels must prevent collection of surface water.
- Clear out surface cross drains, clear and fill potholes and re-pack any stone pitching that has worked loose or is being undermined.
- Keep ditches, cross drains, culverts and the entrances to culverts clear of silt, debris and vegetation twice a year, usually in March and November. At the same time check that headwalls are firm and secure.
2. Fit for purpose
- The path's surface must be one of the types listed below and be suitable for the type and amount of use it has to support. No one path surface fits all purposes - the main point to remember is that the path must be suitable for its intended use. Keep the space around the route clear of obstructions for 3.5m above the path and across a width of at least 2m.
- You must enhance your path to provide improved access provision. This can include improving drainage, clearing vegetation, filling potholes and hollows, patching etc.
- Mowing/strimming, should ensure between 1m and 3m width of mown/ strimmed grass provides enhanced path provision throughout the growing season. The path must be kept free of overgrown plants, trees or grass.
- The path surface must be one of three surface types
- Natural path surface e.g. turf. Regular mowing will increase the density of grass, improving strength and durability.
- Unbound surface. Use the binding properties of the path base stone to provide a smooth surface. Spreading quarry dust onto the aggregate base will increase the binding properties of the base stone and give a smooth surface suitable for many users. Unbound surfaces are susceptible to damage from water flowing over the surface, so that careful drainage is essential.
- Sealed surface, where user numbers are higher. These surfaces use a binder, usually bitumen, to 'stick' aggregate together. They can be either a mixture of aggregate and bitumen (e.g. tarmac or bitmac) or else a layer of bitumen with chips spread onto them and rolled in (surface dressing).
- Unstable or uneven areas should be treated by filling in any potholes as above, removing loose material or debris, grading, or adding new surface material where required for a sound surface. Larger rocks may be utilised to highlight the edges or turning points of paths.
3. Free of obstructions
- Your route may cross boundaries such as fences, walls, hedges, watercourses or rock outcrops. If this is the case where required you must include gates, steps, bridges or culverts in order to enable the route to cross over.
- Access provision should always take account of the needs of people with disabilities.
- Always use gates rather than stiles, as these are more accessible. Gates must be fit for purpose. The inclusion of stiles is only acceptable where a gate or gap is not possible. The two basic types of gate in general use are the bridle (or wicket) gate and the kissing gate. Preferably use the bridle/wicket gate, as it can be used by most user types and can be constructed so that it is 'self-closing'. Wheelchair users, cyclists and horse riders cannot use kissing gates and these should only be used when bridle/wicket gates are not practicable.
- A standard timber or steel bridle/wicket gate must have a gap width of at least 1.5m (or where space is physically restricted a minimum width of 1.2m) and be fitted with self closing hinges. Choose the latch to reflect the type of user and to be safe and easy to use; the use of wire, rope, baler twine etc. to secure the gate is not acceptable.
- Bridle/wicket gates must be two-way opening, and self closing. Latches must be standard bolts or latches, preferably operable from horseback. The use of wire, twine or rope for latches is not allowed.
- All gates for non-vehicular access and gate posts must be either timber or of galvanised steel. If you are using timber gates and posts should be of CCP pressure-treated softwood or untreated hardwood.
- If a kissing gate is to be used, it must be of the largest possible size and be the least restrictive design. Latches should be unlockable to allow gate to open out of cage for maximum accessibility.
- The standard minimum width of a kissing gate is 1.5m with a minimum width of 1.2m where space is physically restricted. The cage width/diameter must be appropriate to gate width and use.
- Hang/clash posts must be firmly dug or driven into ground and concreted if required.
- All types of standard gate frames are also acceptable and must be fit for purpose.
- Where fences are cut to allow gate installation, restrain with timber or steel strainer posts.
- If drystone walls are to be cut, new end faces of stonework must be straight and even and tight to new gate posts. Timber or steel post and rail fencing must be used to tie new gates into the existing fence /wall lines as appropriate.
- Surfaces up to and through gates must be firm, level and well drained. New surfacing is not always required but the surface though the gate must be appropriate to the standard of path it is located on. If new surfacing is required, it must be 100 - 150mm depth (as required) of graded granular fill (eg. Type 1, Scalpings, road planings, sand & gravel) blinded with dust to provide a smooth, even surface. You must provide suitable falls to ensure surface water drains away.
- Where possible - for instance if there is no requirement for livestock control - use a gap as the boundary crossing. Any constructed gaps in boundaries must be a minimum of 1.5m.
- Stiles can only be installed as a last resort where it is not possible to provide access through a gap or gate. Stiles are impassable to wheelchairs and pushchair users and can be an insurmountable barrier to the disabled, elderly and less agile people. Stiles are also more likely than gates to cause a trip or a fall.
- Accordingly, the applicant must obtain the written agreement of the local access officer to the installation of any stiles prior to applying for the improving access option. Stiles can only be provided if there is no other alternative where a gate or gap is agreed to be impracticable.
- If the local access officer agrees to the requirement for a stile to be built it must be built to the following specification:
- The height rise between the ground and the first step and between steps must be the same with each height rise being no more than 300mm;
- Steps must be at least 200mm wide and 900mm long;
- There must be no sharp edges on steps, fence rails or uprights;
- Hand posts must be fitted; and
- A dog gate must be fitted with a minimum gap size of 375mm high and 300mm wide.
- Where watercourses are to be crossed, bridge capital items can be supported.
- Eligible bridges include small timber bridge with a span of less than 10m. The deck must be at least 1.2m wide. Depending on the location and the hazard to be crossed if handrails are required they must be at a height of not less than 0.9m. One handrail can be used where you expect low use and/or low risk or two handrails where you expect heavier use and/or greater risk.
- The requirement for a board-walk is dictated by the ground conditions; for example a board-walk may be used on wetlands, marshes and other situations where the decking needs to be raised well above ground level. The decision on the appropriate width of a board-walk will be determined by the expected level and types of use and the width of the approach paths.
- The minimum clear width of board-walks over 5m in length must be 1.2m. A width of 1.7m must be used to accommodate two-way traffic and to provide passing places on a 1.2m wide board-walk.
4. Signposted and waymarked
- All paths must be clearly signposted at entrance points with a fingerpost showing the word 'Path', pointing the way, and if appropriate specifying a destination and the distance to that destination or a significant point.
- If the starting point of the path is not at the public road, the path must be signposted from that public road with a threshold signpost. If the path for which you are applying is a continuation of a path on a neighbouring holding, you may need to liaise with your neighbour about signposting it from the public road. Way-markers must be at places along the path that helps users to keep to the route.
- Direction signs and fingerposts must be constructed of timber, metal or recycled plastic. The posts must be 2.1m high and stable, ideally use timber posts 100mm square. Text, in a plain font of a minimum text height of 30mm must appear on both sides of the blade.
- Waymarkers, if timber, must be at least 75 mm square, treated and routed and they can be set in concrete if required.
- Where there is a recognised local format for signs or waymarkers this can be used with the agreement of your local access officer.
5. Regularly inspected
- A well-planned and well-designed route needs less work. You must check your path at least four times a year and remove overgrown plants and grass when required. You must reduce the amount of weed on paths by regularly mowing verges, and drain persistent wet ground by installing filter drains or small ditches. You must strim or mow natural path surfaces and verges at least twice a year in May and August.
- You must cut back trees and vegetation during the autumn and late spring to maintain a clear path width and height corridor.
- You must control weed encroachment into the route corridor through cutting or selective application of herbicide in April and August.
Option 21 - Active management to improve the condition of sites of archaeological or historic interest
© Crown Copyright reproduced courtesy of Historic Scotland
What this is about
This option enables you to improve the condition of archaeological and historic sites through careful non-invasive management.
Archaeological and historic sites provide a tangible link with our past. They contain information that can tell us about how our ancestors lived, managed the land, worshipped, died, and how they shaped the landscape that we live in today. They are the only source of evidence for much of Scotland's past.
Archaeological and historic sites are vulnerable to damage or destruction from a number of natural and human actions. Once destroyed, an archaeological site cannot be replaced.
What this will achieve
This option will improve the condition of archaeological or historic sites. This will ensure that the sites are better preserved for current and future generations to understand and enjoy.
What you must do
Under this option, you will undertake to manage one or more archaeological sites. Management works carried out under this option must not involve ground disturbance or the introduction of capital items such as fences or gates, as these activities can damage or destroy important buried remains. If you need to introduce capital items such as fences or gates, you will need to apply to undertake these management works as part of a Rural Priorities option.
There are a number of ways in which you can identify archaeological sites on your land. Your local authority archaeologist may be able to advise, although not all local authority areas offer services in relation to LMOs. Check the SRDP website or consult your SGRPID Area Office for more information about the availability of advisory services in your area. If you had an archaeological audit of your land for a previous agri-environment scheme, you can refer to this. Alternatively, you can consult PASTMAP ( http://www.pastmap.org) . PASTMAP is provided free of charge, but you will need to complete a short registration process.
If the site you are managing is a scheduled monument, you may require schedule monument consent. It is important that you contact Historic Scotland for advice before making your Land Managers Options application. You should do this as early as possible, as Historic Scotland staff may not be able to deal with your consultation at short notice.
In order to bring a site into optimum condition, one or more of the following actions will usually be required:
- Bracken control: This should be controlled by hand spraying, hand cutting or crushing from year 1 over a minimum 3 year period. The site should be monitored for the remainder of the contract, with re-growth controlled as required.
- Gorse, rhododendron, scrub or other woody plants: You should control gorse, scrub and other woody plants by cutting off carefully at ground level, taking care not to disturb the ground surface. Cut stumps should be spot treated with an appropriate herbicide. The cut vegetation should be removed from the site, and you should monitor the site through the 5 years of the contract, controlling re-growth as required. If the trunk diameter of the vegetation you want to control exceeds 10cm and the site is a scheduled monument, you must contact Historic Scotland well in advance of starting any work, as consent will be required.
- Grazing control: You may need to establish or alter a grazing regime. Under this option, you can receive payment for increasing or introducing grazing to an archaeological site to help control scrub in addition to manual vegetation control. Alternatively, you can receive payment for reducing grazing levels on archaeological sites where stock erosion or ground poaching is a problem. In either case, grazing levels should ensure that existing grass or heather cover is retained but scrub, woody plants and self-seeding trees do not become established. If grazing ceases, manual vegetation control will need to be introduced to keep scrub, woody plants and self-seeded trees under control. Capital works, such as the erection of temporary or permanent fences, are not eligible for payment under this option. If you think that you will need to introduce or move fence lines in order to alter the grazing regime, you will need to apply to undertake these works as part of a Rural Priorities option.
- Cultivation buffer zones: If the site you wish to manage is an isolated unploughed area in a ploughed field, you should extend an unploughed buffer zone to at least 10m beyond the outermost visible feature of the site. You must monitor this unploughed buffer zone for the duration of the contract, controlling scrub regeneration and bracken as required.
- Cropmark sites: For land containing archaeological sites visible only as cropmarks, you should sow the site to grass, including a minimum 10m buffer area around the known extent of the site. When establishing the sward, the ploughing depth must not exceed 10 cm. If the site is not grazed, you should monitor for the duration of the contract, and control any regenerating scrub or trees as required.
Who can apply
All land managers can apply for this option.
How to apply
Complete Section 4 of the LMO application form use code LMOMAH. The amount applied for should be an estimate of 100% of the cost but the claim will be limited to the amount on the application.
Eligibility criteria
The land being managed must contain a site or sites of archaeological or historic interest that is either visible above ground or visible as cropmarks. Management of artefact findspots or battle sites is not eligible for funding under this option unless other archaeological remains survive at that location.
What costs could be supported
You will be reimbursed 100% of the costs you incur in undertaking site management. This will be paid annually and retrospectively. In support of payment claims, you should submit a record of labour hours and additional costs that you have spent on materials and machinery use during the year (in the form of receipts where possible). If you undertake the work yourself, the hourly skilled labour rate will apply. If you employ a contractor to undertake the work on your behalf, receipted invoices must be provided in support of your payment claims.
Rate of support
You will be reimbursed 100% of the cost of site management under this option.
Inspections/verification
You must keep a photographic record of the condition of each site you will manage under this option. At a minimum, you should take photos before the management commences and again during years 1, 3 and 5 of your contract. These photos must be retained for inspection purposes. From the photos the inspector will check there has been no degradation of the site.
The inspector will ensure there is no encroachment of vegetation on the site and if applicable grazing is controlled and buffer zones have been established.
Evidence
We will send you a claim form which you must submit along with the supporting documentation by 31 August in the year following application. A detailed invoice of any receipts or other documents must be submitted in support of your claim for payment.
List of links to relevant technical guidance
The following online sources may contain further information about archaeological or historic sites on your land:
http://www.pastmap.org - PASTMAP is a free online resource that allows you to access information about scheduled and unscheduled archaeological sites, listed buildings, and Inventory gardens and designed landscapes.
http://www.rcahms.gov.uk - The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland is responsible for recording, interpreting and collecting information about the built environment. Their website includes links to a number of searchable databases.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk - Historic Scotland safeguards the nation's historic environment and promotes its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Their website includes further information about scheduled monuments and their management.
http://www.algao.org.uk - The Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers. The ALGAO: Scotland part of the website contains links to a number of member's regional websites that may contain further information on archaeological and historic sites in your area.
http://www.scottisharchaeology.org.uk - The Council for Scottish Archaeology is a voluntary membership organisation that works to secure the archaeological heritage of Scotland for its people through education, promotion and support. Their website contains further guidance for rural land managers on the identification and management of archaeological sites.
Option 22 - Active management to improve the condition of vernacular rural buildings
What this is about
Vernacular rural buildings, such as byres, mills and kilns, are an integral part of Scotland's cultural heritage and contribute to landscape and local character in rural areas. They were usually built using local materials and techniques, and pre-date the advent of mass-production techniques and the use of new building materials such as concrete. Changes in farming practices since the mid-20 th century have rendered many vernacular rural buildings unsuitable for the purposes that they were originally constructed.
This option will enable you to undertake sympathetic management of vernacular rural buildings that are structurally sound but in need of small-scale repairs. This management will make sure that the buildings stay wind and watertight and viable for use now and in the future. Their management should be carried out using materials and methods that are sympathetic to the building techniques used in their construction. Support under this option is limited to pre-1940 buildings, to ensure that priority is directed to those structures that are most at risk of becoming redundant and falling into advanced disrepair. It is also restricted to buildings that are not used for permanent, temporary or seasonal human habitation either now or within the period of your contract.
© Crown Copyright reproduced courtesy of Historic Scotland
What this will achieve
This will assist you in looking after this valuable part of Scotland's rural heritage. It should also:
- Increase the working life-span of your vernacular buildings
- Promote sustainability by ensuring that your vernacular buildings remain viable for use in future when they might otherwise have fallen into disrepair
- Contribute to the enhancement and retention of local skills in traditional building techniques
- Help to maintain local distinctiveness of buildings and landscape, retaining the character of your area.
What you must do
The guidance below sets out some of the management work that you can carry out to your buildings to help ensure their long-term future. The most important course of action is to carry out regular inspections and minor repairs which should avoid the need for substantial and expensive repairs at a later stage. Generally, repairs should be carried out on a like-for-like basis.
If your building is Listed, you should check with the local authority whether Listed Building Consent will be required for the works that you propose. Consent is usually required for alterations to listed buildings only, rather than for minor repairs. If you do find that Listed Building Consent is required for the works that you propose, you will need to apply to undertake the work through the Rural Priorities options rather than through the Land Managers Options.
Before you commence any work, you should check the building for the presence of protected species of animals, birds and plants. Consult Scottish Natural Heritage if you are in any doubt about whether your proposed work will affect a protected species.
A wide range of guidance on the care of historic buildings is available from Historic Scotland at http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/conservation . In particular, the Historic Scotland publication "Rural Buildings of the Lothians: Conservation and Conversion - Guide for Practitioners 1" is an illustrated guide providing relevant information on the design, construction and repair of traditional rural buildings. Although primarily about buildings in the Lothians, the guide contains generic guidance that is relevant to a much wider area.
Parts of your building that may need repair:
Roofs
Ongoing maintenance is the most important aspect of looking after old buildings, and this is particularly true at roof level. A bad roof will be most likely to lead to a quickly deteriorating building. This option allows for the regular inspection and repair of roofs to ensure that they are waterproof. The best time of year to inspect a roof is autumn, before the winter sets in.
- Slipped or broken tiles or slates should be re-fixed or replaced. You should use matching slates or tiles if you are replacing them. You can find more information on the maintenance and repair of slate roofs at:
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/informscottishslate
- Check the condition of cast iron roof cladding and keep the material painted to minimise corrosion. Historic Scotland has issued some guidance on corrugated iron, available at:
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/conservationpublicationscatalogue.pdf
- Check mortar fillets at the skews to ensure that there are no cracks letting rain in. Repair where necessary, using the right mortar. This work should normally be carried out using lime mortar.
- Check lead or zinc flashings and ridges and repair or replace where necessary.
- Check other roof elements such as ridge ventilators and repair where necessary.
- Repair thatched roofs. Thatching is an ongoing task and repairs should be carried out on a yearly basis. Check that there are no weak spots, check for rat or bird infestation and remove. Check that weighting ropes and nets are in good order and are evenly distributed. Historic Scotland has produced some guidance on thatching called 'Thatch and Thatching Techniques', their Technical Advice Note ( TAN) 4.
- Keep chimney flues clear of any debris to ensure free air circulation. Re-point or re-harl where necessary using an appropriate mortar.
Rainwater Goods
Checks should be carried out on a regular basis as gutters can quickly become full of leaves etc, one of the primary causes of water ingress in traditional buildings.
- Ensure that the rainwater goods are kept free of debris
- Metal rainwater goods (other than lead) should be painted regularly to prolong their lifespan
- Ensure that there are no leaks and repair as necessary with the right traditional materials. Further information on the maintenance of rainwater goods is available at:
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/informrainandiron.pdf
Windows, Louvres, Skylights and Doors
Traditional windows are an important part of the character of simple traditional buildings. Regular maintenance and upkeep of windows will ensure their long-term survival and their ability to keep buildings weatherproof.
- Replace broken window panes and re-putty panes where necessary
- Repaint windows and doors regularly
- Replace rotten timber sections where necessary
- Ensure that ironmongery is working and that windows open and close fully
Walls, including boundary walls
Rural vernacular buildings are often built of rubble and this is usually a soft sandstone or hard whinstone. Rubble sandstone was traditionally covered in a breathable lime harl (render) to act as a weather shield. Sometimes this has been replaced at a later date with a hard, impervious cement render and this can lead to damp problems.
In general
- Re-pointing of walls should be carried out where necessary. Only loose mortar should be raked out of the joints. New lime mortar should be applied in the same way as the original.
- Where a hard cement mortar has been used as a later repair, this should be removed if it is causing problems with dampness. Replace with an appropriate breathable lime mix.
- Advice on re-pointing rubble walls is available at http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/informrubble.pdf
Interiors
The interior of a building can be just as interesting as the outside and may contain features that indicate the original use of the building, like cattle troughs and stall dividers. It may contain domestic fittings such as timber-framed partitions, wooden panelled doors or tongue-and-groove panelling. Original flooring such as flagstones, quarry tiles or timber floorboards add character too. Features that may no longer be in use, such as meat hooks or threshing equipment are part of a building's history and character and are worth looking after.
- Ensure the building is kept watertight so that internal fabric does not begin to rot or decay
- Keep buildings well ventilated, allowing any trapped moisture to escape
- When repainting, remove excessive layers of paint and re-paint using the right kind of paint for the job. Treat unpainted wood with oil, wax or varnish.
- Advice on internal finishes is available at http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/interiorpaint.pdf
Cobbles and flagstones
These hardwearing surfaces are difficult to replace nowadays and are a valuable and practical resource. Granite setts, clay tiles, bricks, stone flags or cobbles have all been used and the materials sourced locally. Often the surface of a courtyard may have become uneven due to heavy wear and tear.
- Ensure the ground is level, with drainage routes clear of weeds and debris
- Replace missing stones, bricks or tiles with matching ones. These can be sourced from salvage yards if there are none spare locally.
Ironwork
Decorative cast or wrought ironwork may be found in the way of railings, gates, roof structures and supporting columns in barns or byres. There may also be other features present such as boot scrapers, finials and weathervanes, vents or agricultural fittings. The main problem is usually rust caused by exposure to the weather.
- Check paintwork every year. Blistering paint suggests rusting underneath.
- Ensure ironwork is kept rust-free. Use a wire brush to remove loose flakes before repainting
- Paint ironwork
- Keep ironwork dry where possible. For example, remove weeds as these can hold moisture
- Advice on how to manage iron gates and railings is available at http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/informgatesandrailings.pdf
Who can apply
All land managers who own or manage an eligible vernacular rural building can apply for this option.
How to apply
Complete Section 4 of the LMO application form use code LMOVRB. The amount applied for should be an estimate of 75% of the cost but the claim will be limited to the amount on the application.
Eligibility criteria
Vernacular rural buildings eligible for management are defined here as the range of traditional (pre-1940) rural buildings, such as simple farm buildings, mills, kilns, doocots, smiddies, workshops, and other rural industrial buildings, estate buildings, walls, bridges, and designed landscape built features, that contribute to local rural character and distinctiveness.
This option cannot be used to manage any buildings that are used for human habitation or occupation, either permanent, temporary or seasonal, during the period of the agreement.
You cannot receive payment under this option for the management of any buildings that you are already managing under other Land Managers' Options or Rural Priorities options.
This option excludes works for which planning permission or building warrant is required or, in the case of listed buildings, which would normally require listed building consent. If any of these consents is required, you must apply to undertake the work as part of a Rural Priorities option.
This option cannot be used to carry out any work to a scheduled monument.
What costs could be supported
You will be reimbursed 75% of the cost of management works under this option as a contribution to the total cost of works. This will be paid annually and retrospectively. In support of payment claims, you should submit a record of labour hours and additional costs that you have spent on materials and machinery use during the year (in the form of receipts where possible). If you undertake the work yourself, the hourly skilled labour rate will apply. If you employ a contractor to undertake the work on your behalf, receipted invoices must be provided in support of your payment claims.
Rate of support
75% of actual costs.
Inspections/verification
You must keep a photographic record of the condition of each site you will manage under this option. At a minimum, you should take photos before the management commences and again during years 1, 3 and 5 of your contract. These photos must be retained for inspection purposes. The inspector will check the work carried out is the same as specified in the approval, is in working order, is being used for the specified purpose and that the claimed costs are justified.
Evidence
We will send you a claim form which you must submit along with the supporting documentation by 31 August in the year following application. A detailed invoice of any receipts or other documents must be submitted in support of your claim for payment.
List of links to relevant technical guidance
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk - The Historic Scotland website includes a wide range of guidance on the care of historic buildings.
http://www.scotlime.org - The Scottish Lime Centre specialises in advice and training in the use of lime-based materials for the conservation and repair of Scotland's traditional buildings.
http://www.ihbc.org.uk - The Institute of Historic Building Conservation is the principal body in the United Kingdom representing professionals and specialists involved in the conservation and preservation of the historic environment.
Useful contacts
Historic Scotland's Technical Conservation, Research and Eduction Group Publications Department:
Tel: 0131 668 8638. Web: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/conservation
Historic Scotland's Conservation Bureau and Technical Enquiry Service
Tel: 0131 668 8668. Email: hs.conservation.bureau@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
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