Plan to preserve decorative feature on historic Dunblane library building

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Conservation experts have been working on the distinctive stone feature on Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library building.The carved tablet, or cartouche, on the A-listed building’s east facade was removed early November.It is part of a restoration project estimated at around £460,000 at Scotland’s oldest purpose-built library, built in the late 17th century.Edinburgh-based conservator Graciela Ainsworth – who restored the statue of John Cowane at Stirling’s Cowane’s Hospital – took the cartouche to her workshop in the city to assess its condition to recommend conservation treatment.The Leighton Library Trust has now applied for listed building consent ‘to repair the cartouche removed from the east elevation and currently in storage and then, following repair, to reinstate the cartouche in the niche on the east elevation’.It follows consent for its removal which was granted in 2021.The latest application includes a document from the conservator outlining how she aims to proceed with the work.It states: “Proposed work to repair the cartouche and reinstate it in the niche on the external east wall of the Leighton Library.“Carefully remove all ferrous fixings.

Lessen the dark impervious sulphation layer. Lessen the cementitious residues, being careful not to disturb any early polychrome.

Local consolidation and filling of the fractures on the back.Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.“Supply and installation of new non ferrous fixings, designed to suit the Cartouche and including sall marble repair at the head.“Reinstallation of the cartouche into the back of the niche.

Removal of previous dark cementitious render at the back of the niche, and application of new lime-based render to finish.”Phase one of