The Acquisition and use of Norwegian Timber in Seventeenth-Century Scotland

Abstract

This paper examines the importance of Norwegian timber for building construction in seventeenth-century Scotland. Firstly, it shows how new sawmill technology allowed for the mass production of timber in Norway. Using voyages taken by Scottish skippers to reconstruct the trade between south-western Norway and east coast Scotland, it has been possible to follow the timber from its source to its final use for building works. Secondly, this paper examines a number of buildings in order to illustrate how the timber was used. An important development in building construction was the use of longer-span timbers. This permitted larger buildings with bigger rooms, requiring roofing, flooring, panelling, doors, windows, plaster ceilings and furniture. All of these items required the technical knowledge and expertise of Scottish wrights, leading to an increase in their authority and influence amongst the other building trades in the period studied. The following is a revised version of a paper given at the conference 'New Insights into Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century British Architecture' held at the Society of Antiquaries, London in January 2011.