Thatch Projects

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings Scotland (SPAB) Survey

The SPAB publication A Survey of Thatched Bulidings in Scotland was published in 2017 and provides useful baseline information for all known thatched buildings in Scotland.

Regional Designation Resurvey

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) are reviewing thatched building listings across Scotland. The resurvey aims to create an updated record of thatched buildings to ensure they are properly represented, valued and protected. The majority of resurveys have now been undertaken. This was initiated in 2018 following a survey of thatched buildings in Scotland by SPAB. The Scotland's Thatched Buildings Introductory Designations Report provides further background information. Find out more about listed buildings and search the portal for updated designations.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Tay Reed Production

There is only one commercial source of thatching reed in Scotland, produced on the Tay Estuary by the RSPB. Our thatching reed blog discusses Tay Reed and the biodiversity benefits of harvesting. Contact the RSPB if you are interested in purchasing Tay Reed. HES is working with the RSPB to find a sustainable way to harvest reed and produce thatching material commercially, as it is more expensive than managing reed for biodiversity alone.

A roof view, with a large chimney stack to left of view. The main roof is covered in a light, sandy coloured thatch. There are two ladders resting on the roof.

Reed thatch used on a roof in Ayr.

Straw Machinery

HES have supported thatching materials guidance commissioned by Historic England on measures to improve the economic sustainability of harvesting straw for thatching. The research has been undertaken by Dr Andy Scarlett and looks specifically at:

the mechanical and operational challenges of harvesting machinery and
how the harvesting process might be refined.

Technical Guides for straw growers have also been developed to help maintain harvesting machinery.

Heather Picking

Heather picking is an essential skill needed for thatching in this material. Troy Holt, our former Thatching and Drystone Dyking Craft Fellow delivered a film and a blog about how to pick heather for roof thatching.

Western Isles Thatch Audit

HES published the Western Isles Thatch Audit in January 2026. Carried out by SAC Consulting, this provides baseline information of thatching materials available in the Western Isles. Recommendations are put forward across the range of thatching materials audited and the report outlines:

where materials have historically been harvested
where they are available and harvested now
potential areas of opportunity
challenges and environmental impacts.

Sustainability of Marram Harvesting

The Western Isles Thatch Audit identified a need to better understand the sustainability impacts of marram harvesting, as there is little scientific data currently available. Since 2023, surveys have been conducted to understand where harvestable marram grows. In September 2025, fieldwork began on Berneray to measure the yield and regrowth rate of harvested marram. Fieldwork will continue annually over the next few years, with results expected from 2029. The project is being undertaken jointly by HES with NatureScot.

There are three people, wearing PPE. They are standing in a large patch of long Marram grass, with a long beach and blue water behind. They are working to collect the marram.

Thatch Guidance

HES has produced a number of technical guidance documents on thatch. You can find these in our Building Advice pages about Thatched Roofs.