Tarlair Pavilion

Its three tidal pools draw directly from the Moray Firth, which makes for a dramatic setting, but also an unforgiving one. Decades of battering from the coastal elements took a serious toll on the reinforced concrete structure, and by 1995 the building had to be closed to the public. The Friends of Tarlair, a passionate local community group, were determined not to let this iconic building disappear.

With no historic engineering drawings to work from, we had to start from scratch by carrying out detailed concrete investigations and dilapidation surveys to properly understand what we were dealing with. One of the key questions was whether the existing roof could safely support a new rooftop terrace, earmarked to host a café and the occasional public event. Getting that answer required careful analysis and a fair bit of detective work.

From there, we developed a tiered approach to repairs, ranging from more significant interventions like steel replacement and cathodic protection, right down to localised concrete patching where that was all that was needed. We kept a close eye on the scope throughout, working hand in hand with the main contractor to make sure we only did what was truly necessary.

Working alongside heritage and conservation specialists, the golden rule was always to keep as much of the original building as possible. Any repairs needed to be discreet, reversible, and respectful of the building’s character and history.

The pavilion is now structurally sound and open to the public once more. This is a fantastic outcome for the local community and a building that very much deserves its second chance.