St Joseph, Pluscarden Abbey
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Summary
Seamlessly blending traditional techniques with modern technology
Robertson Construction delivered works at Pluscarden Abbey as part of a highly innovative and unusual venture to create new accommodation, to be known as St Joseph.
To deliver this new building, we were committed to preserving the historical integrity of the site, which is home to a mediaeval abbey. While carrying out building fabric repairs and implementing modern improvements to heating systems, our team seamlessly blended traditional craftsmanship using local resources, while also incorporating modern sustainable technology and construction methods into the building.
Key features
- Specialist stone work with hand carving
- Biomass-powered underfloor heating
- Leadwork
- Roof slating
- External works
Solutions delivered in design and construction
The design was completed by a design consultant where all construction details were drawn by hand, which is unusual in 2025, our team accommodated this and provided technical advice to achieve solutions that ensured the design was developed to modern building standards and ensured we produced a building solution of the highest quality.
Innovative construction and traditional craftsmanship
This innovative project has made use of many traditional skills not seen in modern-day construction, combined with elements of modern sustainable technologies such as biomass-powered underfloor heating.
Expert techniques were employed so that the new building respected the heritage of the Abbey, including specialist stonework with hand carving undertaken on site, hand-cut stone, specialist rendering, leadwork, natural slate roof tiles, and intricate detailing to dormers and a faceted/curved stone stairway.
Material textures and colours, along with specialist features were selected to blend with the existing historic buildings at the Abbey.
Sustainability and local resource use
Investing value in the local area was a priority, sourcing local materials and supply chain partners.
This brings sustainability benefits, as well as a positive impact on the local economy – the majority of the spend was within the Moray area. Robertson self-delivered several trades, utilising the experience and expert knowledge of some of our longest-serving employees.
Skilled workforce and apprenticeship experience
Some of our long-term operatives worked on earlier projects at Pluscarden and gladly returned to the Abbey to pass on valuable experience in traditional craft skills to our current apprentices, including the installation of mock sash, case windows and purpose-making templates for the stone stairs which featured timber risers.
Client satisfaction and health and safety performance
Our team listened, acted professionally, took responsibility, worked as a team and succeeded, taking pride in delivering a truly unique building that the client greatly values and appreciates.
Recognising the unique nature of the Abbey setting, we developed our proposals and managed the construction delivery in a respectful manner. This included adjusting our programme, where we incorporated a four-day break over the Easter weekend. We attended a blessing service before construction commenced.
Client satisfaction has been very high, with our client giving a score of 11 out of 10 to our operational lead. Our Health and Safety performance was described by our client as “exemplary.”
