New research has brought attention to the opportunity to boost the Scottish building stone market, which could help in preserving the country’s historic buildings.
According to a recent report by the British Geological Survey and Historic Environment Scotland, there is a chance to reintroduce indigenous stone, such as sandstone, flagstone, igneous, metamorphic rocks, and roofing slate, back into the Scottish market. This comes as the import costs for more than five million tonnes of building stone into the UK have doubled in recent years, leading to a push to reopen quarries in Scotland.
The study found that the rising costs of imported stone construction materials, which have increased by up to 98 per cent since 2015, are making the Scottish and UK construction industry vulnerable to price fluctuations and market instability due to heavy reliance on imported materials. By utilizing the 139 disused building stone quarries and 31 quarries that currently only supply crushed-stone aggregate, Scotland could potentially meet a significant portion of its building stone needs locally.
Graham Briggs, materials project manager at HES, emphasized the importance of maintaining local materials to protect Scotland’s historical sites. He stated that reviving the Scottish building stone market could not only create jobs in rural areas and reduce carbon emissions but also enhance conservation efforts for historic buildings. However, indigenous stone suppliers are facing challenges in competing with cheaper imports, requiring investment and innovative procurement strategies to support local production.
Imogen Shaw, a building stone scientist at BGS, stressed the need for action to ensure that Scotland can continue to build using traditional stone, preserving heritage buildings and maintaining harmony with the historic landscape. The report serves as a valuable tool for policymakers and potential investors, offering insights into current supplies and opportunities for growth in indigenous building stone production.
With over 300 monuments and buildings of national importance under its care, HES highlighted the close connection between Scotland’s built environment and the diverse geology extracted from thousands of quarries. By tapping into local stone resources, Scotland could achieve self-sufficiency in meeting its building stone requirements in the future, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient construction industry.
