Thatch Projects
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 Scotland's Thatched Buildings Introductory Designations Report 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.
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 provides some financial support to RSPB to help offset some of the cost of harvesting reed for thatching material, which is more expensive than managing reed for biodiversity alone.
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 with NatureScot.
Marram harvesting on Berneray
Available HES Guidance
HES has produced a number of technical guidance documents on thatch. These are:
Thatch and Thatching Techniques: A Guide to Conserving Scottish Thatching Traditions
The Archaeology of Scottish Thatch