Site – Dunderave Castle
Client – Residential
Description of works – Inspection, Targeted Building Repair, Specialist Industrial Cleaning, Protective Stone Sealing
Situated directly on the windward shore of Loch Fyne, Dunderave Castle is a prominent 16th-century Scottish stronghold continuously exposed to extreme coastal weather, salt air, and heavy driving rain. The client required a comprehensive, non-intrusive solution to assess high-level structural vulnerabilities, clear water drainage systems, execute essential slate and pointing repairs, and protect the building’s red sandstone facades against severe moisture ingress.
Utilising Balmore’s integrated Inspect, Repair, Clean business model, our teams provided a single-source solution. By combining specialist high-access capabilities with traditional heritage restoration, we delivered targeted, cost-effective repairs and stone preservation without the need for massive, expensive scaffolding setups across the entire structure.
The Challenge
Severe Weather Exposure: Perched directly on a coastal outcrop, the castle endures severe Atlantic wind and gale forces exceeding typical operational thresholds, accelerating rainwater penetration into the porous sandstone.
Biological Growth & Water Stagnation: Blocked high-level gutters and damp stonework led to localised moss, lichen, and organic build-up, which held moisture against the masonry and exacerbated freeze-thaw erosion.
Complex Access Requirements: High-level turrets, steep slate roofs, and parapets made traditional access methods financially and logistically prohibitive for routine maintenance.
Heritage Constraints: Any interventions—from cleaning to water-sealing—had to preserve the breathable integrity and visual character of the historic sandstone without trapping internal moisture.
Inspect – Repair – Clean
Our teams carried out close-quarters condition surveys where safely accessible to pinpoint essential repair zones. We then cleared all high-level gutters and downspouts to restore full drainage, re-seated and replaced damaged roof slates, and repointed degraded masonry joints with heritage-compatible lime mortar to stop driving water ingress.
Once structural repairs were complete, we treated the stone to remove moss, algae, and lichen. Before applying chemical stone sealants, our team applied protective film covers across all window glass to ensure no overspray or chemical etching occurred. We then applied a premium, breathable hydrophobic water-sealing treatment to the Loch Side and Main Building side elevations. This specialised coating prevents driving rain from soaking into the sandstone while allowing internal moisture to escape freely.
Results & Value Delivered
This targeted intervention restored the castle’s watertight envelope and shielded its most exposed elevations against future salt spray and heavy downpours. By covering all window glazing prior to application, we maintained strict quality control and preserved the historical finishes. Utilising access platforms and industrial cleaning techniques saved significant setup time, proving the value of Balmore’s single-provider approach for historic property maintenance.
Difficult Access Specialists in Historic Building Maintenance
With decades of hands-on experience handling Scotland’s most challenging heritage structures, The Balmore Group stands out as an industry leader in complex stone preservation and high-level building maintenance. What truly sets us apart is a rare combination of specialised trade expertise and high-access agility; whether managing steep historic slate roofs, intricate lime pointing, or delicate bio-cleans on sandstone, our multi-skilled teams complete intricate restoration work seamlessly and safely. By combining diagnostic inspections using drone inspections, structural repairs, protective treatments, and meticulous site-protection measures, Balmore delivers single-source accountability that protects structural integrity, respects historical character, and drastically lowers total project costs for property owners.
If you would like to know more about this project or about the work we can provide in historic restoration services, please contact our Glasgow head office today.
Quotes & Enquiries
At Balmore, we offer the expertise of four decades in difficult access works including roofing, rope access, industrial cleaning and drone inspection services. Our one stop shop approach to inspection, repair and cleaning has grown through our desire to constantly exceed our clients expectations and offer a service that is far superior to our competitors.
Please fill in the form outlining your requirements and our contract team will be able to provide you with a bespoke quotation for your inspection, repair or cleaning needs.
