Addison Conservation + Design – Conservation of Catrine Weir

The Catrine Weir on the River Ayr (East Ayrshire) is a 19th century industrial structure erected as a water supply to power the Catrine Mills and their water wheels designed by the renowned engineer William Fairburn.

These wheels were the biggest in the world in their time. The weir structure was dilapidated but, although patched over time, it required major engineered conservation works to stabilise and then protect the heritage assets. The conservation was masterminded to the smallest detail and later supervised on site by the late John Addison.

The principle was to retain the weir’s original fabric as much as possible but encapsulate it in specially designed lime concrete which closely match the type used by Roman engineers.

The original wooden weir crest was replaced with ekki timber. Apart from the obvious technical logic of the reinforcement, it was decided the crest should bear a modern and aesthetic mark. This is where the galvanized steel apron was introduced.

It creates a sharp very clean line shimmering in the sun (when the Scottish weather allows). From Addison’s past experience, galvanizing has proven to be the most cost-effective long-term solution.

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Galvanizers Association