Building with turf?

caithnesscrofter · Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:24 pm

Anyone ever try building with turf? At the moment we are taking alot of turf up at the croft and I started building a low wall with it and am now going to try to build a cold frame too. Should I seed the sides to get the grass to grow all the way round? Ive seen outdoor garden furniture done in a similiar fashion. I fancy a wee go at a little hut. Any tips or experiences? Or links?

caithnesscrofter · Sun May 20, 2007 12:10 am

I notice the thread had lots of views so, must be some interest sooo... just thought I'd write. The only but very helpful information I found was a book from Historic Scotland which is called Turf Construction in Scotland. After a wee flip through, I've figured out how to make solid beautifully plumb, square solid walls and completed a cold frame now and will be attempting an entire horse shelter with it in July.

We will be cutting peat starting next month and we will also be experimenting with roofing with peat as well. The same book covers this topic as well.

This is the 4th book (Technical Advice Note) of Historic Scotlands I've bought. All the ones I have are written by Bruce Walker and he's a wealth of information for vernacular Scottish building techniques if anyone is interested in the same. I'm a total geek for it!

ohareward · Sun May 20, 2007 10:13 am

I have just read that the Scottish Parliament in Hollyrood has a turf roof. You may get some inspiration from that building.

Robin

caithnesscrofter · Sun May 20, 2007 12:35 pm

Strangely enough I've been building a turf roof on a structure (humanure hacienda) the past week but, what I'm speaking about in this thread is actually building load bearing walls with turf. Kinda like the "soddys" in Nebraska.

Here is a bloke that i found did the very same I am doing cept I'm going to do a horse shelter..
http://www.jameslnelson.com/The%20Sod%20House.htm

At one time, long ago in Scotland, many of the buildings and structures were built from cut turf and peat.