Scotland’s Churches: High Level Maintenance & Steeplejacking

Thursday 5 September, 12 - 1.30pm

Have you ever looked up at a tall old building, perhaps a church steeple, and wondered how anyone gets up there to repair it? 

A steeplejack is a craftsperson who scales tall buildings and church steeples to carry out repairs or maintenance. It’s a specialist trade and one that’s going through a period of change and modernisation, with new techniques and methods of access. 

Join this talk to hear a bit about the history of the trade, along with many fascinating stories of repairs. You’ll learn how steeplejacks access the most awkward parts of church buildings and about the different benefits of scaffolding versus high level rope access. The lecture will give you confidence in knowing what to ask for when speaking with a steeplejack, so that you can hire the right person for the job. You’ll also hear about how a high level rope access survey is undertaken, and the benefits this type of work can bring to a project.  

There will be plenty of time for questions at the end and you’re welcome to show a photo of your building to help the speaker understand the problem you’re facing. 

Who is it for? 

This talk is for anyone who cares for a building with high level stonework and difficult to access areas of roofing. It may be particularly useful to community groups who are taking on a church building and want to make sure it is safe, or professionals wanting to expand their knowledge of high level access.  

Topics we will cover   

• The history of steeplejacking as a trade 

• Methods of gaining high level access 

• Differences between scaffolding access and rope access  

• Surveying at high level 

IT requirements 

You will need a computer, phone or other device connected to the Internet. 

Speaker 

Chris Igoe, Igoe-Up Ltd 

Chris has over 25 years experience as a steeplejack and is passionate about showing how the trade can help historic structures. 

Declan Cahill, Highlife Rope Access

Declan works in rope access but is also a surveyor and SPAB Scholar 2017. He will bring a unique take on how this new skill can be combined with traditional repair techniques.  

Accessibility 

Anything we can do to make this talk more accessible for you? Please email scotland@spab.org.uk.

Booking Terms and Conditions

Image: High Level Rope Access © Declan Cahill