East Lothian Council is conscious of this heritage and encourages good preservation practices and a high standard of conservation and maintenance throughout the district to enhance these qualities and to guard against unnecessary loss.

Traditional building materials and architectural period features are, however, becoming increasingly difficult to obtain and expensive to buy, creating problems for remedial, repair or new build work.

Many traditional materials and features, which could often be reused, are destroyed because no immediate use is apparent. To help retain such materials, until appropriate new uses can be found, East Lothian Council operates an "Architectural Salvage Store".

To view current Architectural Salvage Store contents click on the 'Salvage Store Conents' PDF on the right.

Goods held in the Salvage Store can be purchased - for a modest fee - and re-used on suitable buildings in East Lothian provided they are within a Conservation Area or are Listed. To find out more about listed buildings or to check whether your building is listed check Historic Scotland's web site by clicking the appropriate link on the right .

What sorts of materials are stored?
The materials and features kept are those which are important in creating the distinctive character, both external and internal, of East Lothian’s traditional buildings. These may include, for example:

• clay and glass roof pantiles
• roof slates and finials
• stone lintels, skewputts or similar dressed stonework
• fireplaces and mantlepieces doors, fanlights and door furniture
• timber panelling
• wrought and cast-iron work eg. Railings, rain-water goods etc

The main consideration is that they are worthy of conservation and are unable to be retained in their present location and have potential for renovation and re-use.

Where do the materials come from?
The public are the most important source of Salvage Store material. Perhaps you have, or know of, items which cannot be retained in their original locations or which are surplus to your requirements and might otherwise be disposed of eg. the demolition of old houses. If such items were worth preserving they would be suitable Salvage Store materials.

East Lothian Council will be pleased to accept donations of suitable items. We regret that the Council is unable to make payments for any which are offered as salvage. Proper storage and protection is ensured until an appropriate use can be found. Transport to the Salvage Store of acceptable items can be arranged.

If you do have anything which you think may be of interest, please contact the Environment & Technical Services department of East Lothian Council, contact details appear at the foot of this page.

How can I obtain material from the Salvage Store?
Salvage Store items are only made available for use within East Lothian district.The Council wishes to ensure that they are used in an appropriate manner, therefore items will normally only be supplied to projects associated with the conservation or enhancement of existing buildings or areas, for example:

• work within one of East Lothian’s Conservation Areas or to a Listed Building
•  repair or rebuilding work where it is necessary to use traditional materials to match existing features (such as re-roofing or roofing of extensions)
• new buildings where it is important to reflect traditional features replacement of original features which have previously been removed

To obtain material from the Salvage Store contact East Lothian Council, contact details appear at the foot of this page.

What will it cost to obtain material from the Salvage Store?
For certain items with a known market value (such as second-hand pantiles, stone setts or roof slates) a set charge per item is levied. Other more "unique" items will be subject to a nominal charge to cover administration and transport costs.

What if the Salvage Store does not have the item I require?
If the item you are interested in is not presently available from the Salvage Store, the Council may be able to direct you to an alternative source; failing this a note will be made of your interest and you will be contacted if a suitable alternative choice is found.

How do I donate material to the Salvage Store?
If you wish to donate goods to the Architectural Salvage Store please contact us (contact details shown below), we will inspect it and if it is suitable will arrange for it to be taken to the Salvage Store.

Contact Details

For details of any of the item currently held in the Salvage Store, and enquiries regarding donations or purchases, please contact Alan Little:

E-mail: alittle@eastlothian.gov.uk

Policy and Projects
East Lothian Council
John Muir House
Court Street
Haddington
EH41 3HA
Telephone: 01620 827265
Fax: 01620 827457