NFRC Scotland Recognised for Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival Efforts
On September 17, Gordon MacDonald MSP submitted a motion to recognise the efforts of NFRC Scotland, amongst other organisations, for their contributions to delivering the Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival in August as part of the Scottish Traditional Building Forum.
The event, which focused on the sustainability of traditional buildings, was a celebration of Edinburgh’s traditional buildings, bringing together experts with the wider public to demonstrate knowledge and skills across a whole spectrum of traditional construction skills.
NFRC Scotland worked alongside Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, the Stone Federation Great Britain, the British Geological Survey and Nevin Decorators to deliver the event.
The motion received cross party support within 24 hours from SNP, Labour, Conservatives, and the Greens, demonstrating the importance and popularity of the work.
MacDonald also voiced support for the National 5 qualification in Creative Industries Roof Slating spearheaded by NFRC Member Compass Roofing Ltd. This support was echoed by Carol Mochan MSP, who sponsored NFRC’s Parliamentary Reception on skills in June.
Gordon MacDonald MSP said “I have supported the construction skills demonstrations delivered by the Scottish Traditional Building Forum since 2013, and I welcome the construction pathway, including the delivery of a national 5 creative industries pilot at Wester Hailes high school. The nat 5 created parity with academic qualifications, so I welcome that it has been expanded in this academic year to include Currie community high school.”
Carol Mochan MSP asked “In June, I hosted a parliamentary reception for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, which was well supported by MSPs from across the chamber. Speakers at the event highlighted the personal challenges for apprentices in getting to college for training purposes, which I have raised with the minister previously. In my South Scotland region, some apprentices are forced to complete a four-hour daily commute to undertake college-based training. Does the minister think that that is acceptable and equitable, and what can be done about it?”
Macdonald’s full motion is below:
That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Traditional Building Forum on delivering the 13th Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival in August 2025; notes that the event focussed on the sustainability of traditional buildings; recognises the efforts of the forum to celebrate Edinburgh’s traditional buildings, bringing together experts with the wider public, to demonstrate knowledge and skills across a whole spectrum of traditional construction skills; understands that the festival was a collaboration between Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, Historic Environment Scotland, the Stone Federation Great Britain, the British Geological Survey and Nevin Decorators; believes that this collaborative approach plays a vital role in widening the public’s understanding of the importance of maintaining Scotland’s traditional buildings with the right knowledge and skills, and thanks each of the organisations for their ongoing efforts to protect and maintain Scotland’s historic built environment.
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Ben Macpherson, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney, Elena Whitham