Edinburgh’s former Royal Hospital for Sick Children, a Grade B-listed Victorian landmark, has undergone a major re-roofing programme as part of the Royal Meadows redevelopment.
CUPA PIZARRAS’ HEAVY 3 natural slate was specified as the closest match to the original Westmorland roof, meeting both structural and heritage planning requirements and securing Best Use of Slate for a Domestic Project at the Pitched Roofing Awards 2025.
Covering 1,300 square metres, the roof forms a defining element of the new mixed-use luxury residential development. Its listed status, combined with the scale of the structure and its steep 45-degree pitch, meant a heavy-grade slate was essential to maintain the original load expectations while meeting strict planning requirements.
Roofing contractor John Fulton Plumbing & Roofing undertook the work. as Martin McGuiness, the company’s Roofing Manager, explains: “HEAVY 3’s uniformity enabled us to achieve consistency across multiple steeply pitched slate roof sections and complex junctions, including bell towers and turrets, lead-clad dormers and zinc ridges, alongside the integration of new rooflights and smoke vents.”
The project was delivered by main contractor Square & Crescent on time, within budget and across a 13-month programme.
Billy Cunningham, Senior Project Manager, comments: “Pre-construction advice was given and stage inspections undertaken, followed by a final post-project inspection. Allan Liddell’s guidance from CUPA PIZARRAS was especially helpful as we managed the complexities of the bell tower slating works
“Royal Meadows now stands as a benchmark for heritage roofing projects in Scotland, demonstrating the importance of specifying the right materials to support the highest level of craftsmanship.”
Beyond its suitability for listed buildings, HEAVY 3 has built a strong reputation across Scotland as a reliable natural slate solution for a wide range of projects. Its thickness and strength make it particularly well suited to withstand the demands of the Scottish climate.
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