Conference - Honest Repair: 150 Years On

*Save the date!*

Wednesday 6 October 2027

The Playfair Library, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL

Next year is a big one in our long history: our 150th anniversary.

Founded by William Morris, the SPAB established a philosophy of conservation grounded in repair, honesty, and respect for the accumulated fabric of historic buildings.

A century and a half later, these principles are widely embedded across the heritage sector. But what do they mean in practice today?

Our one-day conference, Honest Repair: 150 Years On, hosted by SPAB Scotland at the beautiful and historic Playfair Library in Edinburgh, will explore the relevance, application, and influence of the SPAB Approach in contemporary conservation.

We welcome contributions from practitioners, researchers, and students. Topics may include:

• The SPAB Approach in current practice: successes, tensions and limitations
• The influence of SPAB on policy, organisations and everyday conservation decisions
• Repair as a sustainable approach: environmental, cultural, and economic perspectives
• Reinterpreting SPAB principles in new contexts

Our Call for Papers is now closed, and we are starting to prepare the conference programme. If you have an idea you'd like to add or would like to offer to help in some way, please get in touch by emailing scotland@spab.org.uk. 

Any other questions? Email lucy.stewart@spab.org.uk 

This page will be updated with further information as the conference is planned. 

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: SPAB Scotland