‘The huts are a whimsical idea that many wouldn’t consider building today because of the skills and cost required, so they are a real gem,’ says master thatcher Scot AnSgeulaiche, who has been leading the team restoring the historic heather hut at Drumlanrig Castle and Estate
‘Constructed from a blend of larch, hazel and white birch, and decorated with moss and heather, each hut is unique’
The iconic heather huts at Drumlanrig are among the most distinctive and much-loved features of the gardens on the estate.
Thought to have been introduced by the 5th Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, Walter Francis and Charlotte Anne, in the mid-19th century, these charming rustic structures remain enduring reminders of Victorian garden design and craftsmanship.
Each hut is unique. Constructed from a blend of larch, hazel and white birch, and decorated with moss and heather, they reflect the romantic aesthetic that was so popular in ornamental gardens of the period. Their intricate construction, however, means they require careful maintenance by specialists skilled in traditional techniques.
The North American Heather Hut at Drumlanrig recently underwent a programme of sensitive restoration by four craftspeople from Scottish Thatching, led by master thatcher Scot AnSgeulaiche, whose experience includes heritage projects across Scotland and beyond. The other workers were Fiona Weaver MacDougall, Jossie Ellis and Bernadette Iglich.
Two walls of the hut, including areas around windows and eaves, were re-thatched while several other panels were carefully patched. Removing the old thatch revealed layers of the building’s history – from the original Victorian construction of the 1850s to repairs carried out in the 1980s and early 2000s.
To maintain historical authenticity, traditional blacksmith-made nails were used alongside locally sourced heather, gathered from the Mennock Pass and surrounding hills.
Where sections of the original thatch remained in good condition, recovered material was reused, carefully matched to blend with the existing structure. The finished walls retain their natural, bushy appearance, reflecting the rustic aesthetic typical of Victorian garden design.
Attention was also given to the hut’s timber features. Windows and sills showing signs of age and woodworm were repaired and treated, while the soffits and eaves were restored, preserving the intricate plaits and fringes that protect the walls and contribute to the hut’s distinctive character.
The decorative fringe of sguaban — small bundles of heather beneath the roofline — was carefully recreated using traditional binding techniques. Both decorative and practical, these details help shield the structure from the elements while maintaining its historic charm.
Scot AnSgeulaiche said: “There are so very few of these huts left in Scotland that it’s a privilege to work on one and to appreciate the craftsmanship of the original estate workers.
“The huts are a whimsical idea that many wouldn’t consider building today because of the skills and cost required, so they are a real gem. The part we’re most proud of was Fiona spending three, 10-hour days plaiting 52m of heather ropes for the fringe.”
Visitors can now see the results of the restoration for themselves.
Drumlanrig Gardens are open daily from 9.30am–4.30pm, offering the chance to experience these remarkable Victorian heather huts and the craftsmanship that helps preserve them.
• Find out more about the restoration at https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/heather-huts-restoration/
‘There are so very few of these huts left in Scotland that it’s a privilege to work on one and to appreciate the craftsmanship of the original estate workers’
