St Mary’s Well Restoration, Culloden.

St Mary’s Well Restoration: Honouring Heritage with Practical Design

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As part of an ongoing commitment to preserving Scotland’s historic landscapes, we recently completed the sensitive restoration and enhancement of St Mary’s Well, a cherished landmark along the Culloden Battlefield Trail. This project combined heritage conservation with thoughtful design to improve access, durability, and visitor experience.

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The original structure, weathered by time and the Highland elements, required full demolition due to structural instability. Our team carefully dismantled the well, cataloguing and salvaging every stone to ensure the rebuild would remain faithful to the original footprint. The reconstruction was carried out using the same stone, preserving the well’s historic character while incorporating subtle improvements to enhance its longevity and usability.

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A key design innovation was the integration of a seating feature into the rebuilt wall. By introducing Caithness slate cope stones, we created a durable and visually striking bench that invites walkers to pause, reflect, and enjoy the tranquil setting. This addition not only respects the site’s heritage but also enhances its role as a welcoming rest point along the trail.

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To address long-standing drainage issues and improve resilience against water ingress, we installed two double culverts and constructed robust retaining walls. These interventions were carefully designed to blend with the natural topography and stonework, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic harmony with the surrounding landscape.