Smailholm Tower Green Roof

A scheduled monument in the care of historic scotland the stone tower suffered from severe damp penetration that was damaging its exhibition contents.

Smailholm tower green roof.

This is an interesting twist on a 100 natural green roof by using a thick bed of clay and turf. Its roof which has recently been restored is a fine example of soft capping a living colony of sedum grasses and plantains which help to reduce the volume of rainwater that runs onto the walls. The green roof of smailholm tower scotland. Smailholm tower sits on uneven ground on a hill.

Smailholm has no toilets. Arc was asked to design a scheme to cover the stone vaulted roof with a soft capping of clay and living plants. Smailholm is a bold borders keep a haunt of sir walter scott in his childhood. The tower has three upper floors reached by a narrow 89cm stone spiral staircase of 63 steps with a rope handrail on the inner side.

The land around it is used for grazing. On the upper three floors of smailholm tower is an exhibition of costumed figures and tapestries that evoke the area s turbulent history. Inside the tower is a model of this pringle residence and a charming collection of costume figures and tapestries relating to sir walter scott s minstrelsy of the scottish borders.