Lime Plastering
Edinburgh
Specialist lime plastering across Edinburgh since 1959. Georgian townhouses, Victorian villas, listed buildings — our craftsmen work with lime because it's what these buildings were built for.
Lime breathes. Gypsum doesn't. For Edinburgh's stone-built properties,
that difference matters.
What is Lime Plastering?
Lime plaster is a traditional building material made from slaked lime, aggregate and water. It has been used across Scotland for centuries as the standard internal and external finish for stone and masonry buildings.
Unlike modern gypsum plaster, lime is breathable — it allows moisture to pass through the wall rather than trapping it behind a sealed surface. This quality makes lime essential for older buildings where moisture management is critical to the long-term health of the structure.
Lime plaster is also flexible. Where gypsum cracks as a building moves with seasonal changes, lime absorbs minor movement without failing. The result is a finish that ages gracefully and performs as the building's original architects intended.
Why Choose Lime Plaster for Edinburgh Properties?
Edinburgh's building stock is defined by stone. From the Georgian terraces of the New Town and the tenements of Marchmont and Bruntsfield to the Victorian villas of Morningside, Blackford and The Grange, the city's most valued properties were built with lime-based materials throughout.
These buildings need finishes that respect their construction. Lime plaster breathes in step with the masonry, managing moisture rather than sealing it in.
For properties in exposed positions — and Edinburgh has no shortage of those — this is not a cosmetic preference but a practical necessity.
We regularly work across Edinburgh's period-rich neighbourhoods, including the New Town, Stockbridge, Murrayfield, Colinton and Leith.
Each area presents its own character and challenges, and our experience across these streets means we understand what the buildings need.
Our Edinburgh Lime Plastering Services
We deliver the full range of lime plastering work for residential and commercial properties across Edinburgh and the Lothians:
- Interior lime plastering — walls, ceilings and feature surfaces in lime putty and hydraulic lime
- Exterior lime render — traditional harling and smooth lime render for stone and masonry facades
- Lime plaster restoration and repair — sympathetic repair of existing lime finishes, patching and reinstatement
- Listed building work — lime plastering specified to meet conservation requirements and Historic Environment Scotland guidance
- New build lime specification — lime-based finishes for new properties designed to complement traditional surroundings
Each project begins with an assessment of the existing substrate and building conditions. Lime is not a one-size-fits-all material — the correct mix, application method and curing approach depend on the building, the exposure and the intended finish.
Lime Plaster for Listed and Period Buildings
Working with listed and period properties requires more than technical competence — it requires an understanding of how these buildings function and why specific materials were chosen in the first place.
Lime was the standard plastering material for Scottish stone buildings for centuries. Historic Environment Scotland's research, including studies of 75 surviving original lime finishes across Scotland, confirms lime as the historically correct specification for the country's traditional building stock.
Borthwick Decorators have been delivering this work since 1959. Our craftsmen understand the requirements of conservation officers, the expectations of Historic Environment Scotland guidelines and the practical realities of working within heritage properties where speed cannot come at the expense of accuracy.
Our accreditations — including CHAS, SMAS and SafeContractor — reflect our commitment to working safely and professionally within sensitive environments. We carry the insurance, training and site management standards that listed building projects demand.
Limewash Edinburgh
Limewash is one of the oldest decorative finishes in existence — a mineral-based wash applied in diluted layers to create a soft, mottled surface with characteristic depth and variation.
The finish breathes naturally, making it especially well suited to period and heritage properties where lime-compatible materials are essential.
Modern limewash is also widely used in contemporary interiors seeking texture and an organic, understated quality that paint alone cannot achieve.
Each coat is translucent, allowing previous layers to show through and building the characteristic soft movement that defines the finish.
Borthwick's experience with traditional lime-based materials means limewash is always applied with the correct preparation and dilution — the details that determine whether
the finish performs and ages as it should.
Common Questions About Lime Plastering
If you're considering lime plastering for the first time, the following questions are ones we hear regularly. For project specific advice, we're always happy to discuss your requirements directly.
Is lime plaster better than modern plaster for old buildings?
For most pre-1919 stone-built properties, yes. Lime plaster is breathable, allowing moisture to move through the wall rather than becoming trapped behind a sealed surface.
Modern gypsum plaster can cause damp problems in older buildings because it does not allow this moisture transfer.
If your property was originally built with lime-based materials, replacing them with lime rather than gypsum is almost always the better long-term decision.
How much does lime plastering cost in Edinburgh?
Lime plastering costs more per square metre than standard gypsum work. The material is more expensive, the preparation is more involved, and the application and curing take longer.
We provide project-specific quotes after assessing the property — the condition of the existing substrate, the type of lime required and the scope of the work all affect the final cost. We would be cautious of any contractor quoting without seeing the building first.
Can lime plaster be used on new builds?
Yes. Lime plaster is increasingly specified in new builds, particularly where the design calls for breathable walls, natural materials or a finish that complements traditional architecture.
It is also used in new extensions to listed buildings where modern gypsum would be inappropriate.
How long does lime plastering take to dry?
Lime plaster cures rather than dries — a chemical process that takes longer than gypsum. Depending on the type of lime, the thickness of application and the conditions on site, full curing can take several weeks.
Each coat must be allowed to cure properly before the next is applied. This cannot be rushed without compromising the finish and the long-term performance of the plaster.
Do you work on listed buildings in Edinburgh?
Yes. Listed building work is a significant part of our lime plastering practice. We understand the requirements of conservation officers and Historic Environment Scotland guidelines, and our accreditations reflect our ability to work safely and professionally within heritage properties.
Still have a question?
Why Borthwick Decorators for Lime Plastering?
Established in
1959, Borthwick Decorators have built a reputation for quality, discretion and technical expertise across both traditional and specialist finishes.
Our approach to specialist decorative work is defined by:
Established Since 1959
Family run since 1959, Borthwick Decorators bring over six decades of experience with traditional materials and lime-based finishes. Our knowledge has been built over generations, not trends.
Specialist Lime Expertise
Our lime plastering is delivered by experienced craftsmen who understand the material, the substrate and the building. We do not treat lime as an add-on to standard decorating — it is a core part of our specialist work.
Quality Without Compromise
Lime plastering demands patience, correct preparation and appropriate curing time. Every project is managed to ensure the finish performs as it should — not rushed to meet an arbitrary deadline.
Trusted and Accredited
190+ verified reviews with a 4.9 star rating. Accredited by CHAS, SMAS, SafeContractor, the Painting & Decorating Association and the Scottish Decorators Federation. Fully insured for listed building and heritage work.
Where We Deliver Lime Plastering
Our lime plastering services are delivered across Edinburgh and the surrounding regions:
- Edinburgh — New Town, Morningside, Marchmont, Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, Murrayfield, Colinton, Leith, Portobello and all Edinburgh neighbourhoods
- East Lothian — North Berwick, Haddington, Musselburgh, Gullane
- Midlothian and West Lothian — Dalkeith, Penicuik, Livingston, Linlithgow
- Fife — Dunfermline, St Andrews, Kirkcaldy
- Falkirk and Stirling
For projects further afield, including Glasgow and London, please contact our team to discuss.
Discuss a Lime Plastering Project
If you are considering lime plastering for your Edinburgh property, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
Our team can advise on the correct specification, preparation requirements and approach to achieve a result that performs as well as it looks.
Fife
Stirling
Dundee
BORTHWICK DECORATORS LTD
Established 1959 — Specialist Painters & Decorators
Edinburgh, EH2 3ES
London, WC2N 4JS
Glasgow, G3 7QL
Crieff, PH7 4AX