Cannon | MacInnes

Exterior of Ballindalloch Church, Morayshire, showing four of nine zinc framed windows, all of which required full on-site conservation.

One of two zinc framed rose windows which required total on-site conservation.

Detail of the rose windows from inside.

Detail of the de-construction of the rose windows, showing wood rot and delicate construction of the inner framework. The window was on the point of total collapse.

The main cause of deterioration was exposure to wind, rain and condensation over 100 years. The wooden frames were rotting. The zinc frames and iron bars were corroding, and the glass had layers of mould and cobwebs on the surface.

Overall, each lancet, although very simple, created a lovely tartan pattern throughout the church. A beautiful use of coloured antique cathedral glass.

Where necessary, the glass was carefully removed from the frames, piece by piece.

Many of the individual pieces of glass were broken and had to be removed from the frame.

Not all of the glass had to be removed. Sometimes inappropriate previous restoration glass was removed to replace with a more sympathetic match.

New glass was carefully puttied into the frames.

The original glass was carefully laid aside for re-use after the frame had been restored.

The zinc frames were tied together using galvanised zinc / steel wire, and tied to painted steel bars. At no time was any copper product used as it would have set up an electrolytic reaction and corroded the frames.

All of the old putty was carefully removed if it was loose, and new putty was knived into place. Three layers of oil paint were then painted over the frames.

Cleaning the glass of the fungus, mould and cobwebs was time consuming, and at times a tight squeeze.

Thanks to Maurice Jackson and Norma Hunter who so ably assisted us.

A great view from the roof, onto the graveyard below.