The ancient stones of Elgin Cathedral watched over a new generation this week, as Moray MSP Richard Lochhead stepped into the workshop at Historic Environment Scotland’s Skills Training Centre.
There, surrounded by the rasp of chisels and the quiet confidence of apprentices, the importance of preserving traditional crafts could not have rung more clearly.
With the dust of history on his fingertips, Lochhead tried his hand at limestone letter-cutting, sharing a moment of humility with the young stonemasons who will one day be Scotland’s heritage guardians.
These apprentices are not simply learning to carve stone — they are sculpting a future where history survives not just in textbooks but in the bones of our cities, towns, and villages.
Scotland’s historic environment is in jeopardy, not for lack of beauty or significance, but due to a dwindling workforce equipped with the rare skills to preserve it.
With 20% of our homes built before 1919 and the majority of 2050’s buildings already standing, the task is both immediate and monumental.
The figures are sobering — fewer than ten thatchers, only five stained-glass conservators, and ever-decreasing numbers of skilled stonemasons and blacksmiths still working today.
Heritage employers are sounding the alarm, with over two-thirds warning of a critical skills shortage within just five years.
But in Elgin, a glimmer of hope flickers as young people step into these ancient roles with modern purpose, shaping careers that are as hands-on as they are heartfelt.
Lochhead was visibly moved by the apprentices’ talent, remarking on their dedication and the precision of their early work.
He stressed that while stonemasonry evokes images of grand cathedrals, its value reaches every high street and heritage home across Scotland.
This is not just about nostalgia — it is about net-zero targets, green jobs, and sustainable futures rooted in the past.
At the helm of the initiative is HES’s Graham Campbell, who underscored the urgency of training investment to prevent these vital skills from vanishing entirely.
Projects like the Heritage Skills at Risk Register and the newly announced Centre of Excellence for Canals and Traditional Skills in Falkirk are offering a lifeline, backed by substantial support including £3.7 million from the National Lottery.
These are not fringe pursuits — they are national priorities, with apprenticeships offering young Scots a route into meaningful, enduring, and climate-conscious careers.
What’s clear from Lochhead’s visit is this: if we want to preserve our history, we must first invest in those who will keep it alive, one stone at a time.
