To select the most appropriate intervention in a conservation or repair project, you must understand the nature of materials and their behaviour in order to have a robust decision-making process underpinned by scientific evidence. Heritage Scientists at Historic Environment Scotland use a variety of analytical techniques to characterise and understand how these materials decay over time and how certain interventions might affect their integrity and longevity.

Explore building archetype retrofit, low-carbon materials and innovations through expert talks, research insights and panel discussions This event offers an opportunity to connect, share ideas and explore how research, innovation and cross-sector collaboration can advance building performance and support a more sustainable built environment in Scotland.

Can historic buildings be intangible heritage, through the craft of their construction or the memories of their inhabitants? As the UK consults on building inventories of living heritage, we ask what gets counted, what gets lost, and who decides. This event forms part of Scottish Historic Building Trust’s 2026-27 lecture series, titled Heritage in Evolution: Folk, Work and Place in the 21st Century.