THATCHED ROOFS - Key guidance on repair and maintenance in Scotland

Oct 28, 2026

THATCHED ROOFS explains the significance of surviving thatched roofing in Scotland and the practical considerations needed to conserve it. It outlines how to assess the materials and roof structure beneath, including fixing methods and chimney details, and how changes can affect a building’s historic interest. The guide covers locally distinctive thatching materials, the function of base layers and ridge construction, and highlights the need for appropriate secondary weather protection while advising when to seek further specialist help.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

The importance of thatched roofs

Thatching materials

Base layer

Roof structure

Ridge

THATCHED ROOFS Fig. 1 Reed-thatched houses, Perthshire. THATCHED ROOFS Thatched roofs were once a familiar sight in Scotland, but their numbers have declined since the mid-19th century as other more durable roofing materials became available. In some areas only one or two thatched roofs now survive. The majority of thatched buildings in Scotland are listed, recognising their special architectural or historic interest. Thatch is closely associated with traditionally constructed and vernacular buildings, but those that survive in anything like their original form are now rare. Thatched buildings vary in style, from architect-designed Arts and Craft style houses, such as those in Fortingall, Perthshire (Fig. 1) to the straw and marram-thatched cottages characteristic of the Hebrides (Fig. 2) . Conserving what thatch survives is a challenge. This INFORM guide identifies the key issues in the repair and maintenance of thatched roofs in Scotland and offers guidance on where and when to seek further advice. Fig. 2 Marram-thatched cottage, Western Isles. The importance of thatched roofs The first step when planning work is to identify the significance of the building element and what contributes to its special interest. With thatched roofs this is most often the thatching materials, the roof structure beneath, the style ofthatching, and features such as fixing methods and chimney details. The building’s setting and how it relates to other structures can also contribute to its significance. Any loss or alteration to an old thatched roof will normally have an impact on a building’s significance. In a few cases thatched buildings may have a close historical association with people or events such as Burns Cottage in Alloway (Fig. 3) or Old Leanach Cottage in Culloden (Fig. 4), both cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Thatch can survive under later roofing materials such as corrugated iron or other sheet roofs, which will often be of historic interest themselves. In such cases the roofs will normally have a high architectural and archaeological value, and should be retained and protected while advice is sought from the local authority and Historic Environment Scotland (Fig. 5) . Fig. 3 Burns Cottage, Alloway, thatched in reed. Thatching materials Thatch tends to be locally distinctive, with variations found even in relatively small geographical areas. Materials used for thatching roofs in Scotland were once extremely diverse including oat and barley straw, rye, reed, heather, bracken, broom, rushes and marram grass (grown on sand dunes) . Materials chosen for repair and re-thatching should be locally sourced wherever possible, and consistent with local traditions. Marram grass is an ideal thatching material for parts of the Hebrides, where a significant number of thatched buildings survive. It can withstand strong winds and scouring from wind-blown sand. Marram grass is pliable enough to allow a swept ridge, which minimises wind-lift. In other areas, water reed, heather and cereal straw were also common and can still be sourced, although the traditional varieties may be more difficult to find. Errol reed, traditionally used in Tayside and Fife, is the most appropriate available material for areas with a history of thatching in reed. It is not generally suitable as a replacement for other types of thatch such as heather, marram or straw. Fig. 4 Old Leanach Cottage, Culloden, thatched in heather. Fig. 5 Bracken and heather thatch surviving under corrugated iron, Kingussie. Fig. 6 Thatching a Hebridean blackhouse roof with turves under marram. Imported materials are not naturally adapted to the climate, tend to lookout of place and may perform less well than local materials. Where availability of specific thatch types has changed, alternative local materials or sources should be identified. Local characteristic details of application and fixing should be specified. Base layer Thatched roofs typi

FAQs

How should the significance of a thatched roof be identified before planning repair work?

Start by identifying the thatching materials, the roof structure beneath, the style of thatching, and details such as fixing methods and chimney arrangements. The building’s setting and relationships to nearby structures also contribute to significance.

What thatching materials are commonly used in Scotland, and how is material choice made?

Materials vary by locality and include oat and barley straw, rye, reed, heather, bracken, broom, rushes, and marram grass. Repairs should use locally sourced materials consistent with regional traditions, and alternatives should be identified if traditional varieties are unavailable.

Why is the base layer important, and what should be done during re-thatching?

The base layer supports the principal thatching material, helps prevent thatch falling into the interior, and protects the roof structure from water ingress. It is usually the oldest part of the roof, should be retained during re-thatching, and can be recorded and analysed if disturbed.

Oct 28, 2026

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