The Fife & Tayside Traditional Building Forum organised an event in Kirkcaldy town centre 13 & 14 March 2017, which featured apprentices, qualified tradespersons and college lecturers demonstrating traditional building skills including masonry, slate roofing, joinery and painting and decorating.

The event was opened by Barbara Cummins, Director of Heritage at Historic Environment Scotland, who tried all the trades being demonstrated and highlighted the economic importance of Scotland’s built heritage.

Alex Rowley MSP and David Torrance MSP kindly came along and chatted to those giving the demonstrations at the event and tried their hand at various trades.

The school children who attended were able to enjoy a hands on sessions on each of the trades to help them in their career choices should they wish to join the traditional building sector.

Due to high winds we were forced inside on the second day which we are indebted to Fife Council for accommodating us inside and ensuring that the school children were still able to try the traditional building skills.

The event was also open to the public and highlighted the importance of traditional building skills in the construction sector and the necessity for traditional building skills to protect the built heritage of communities in Fife and across Scotland.