To build HoBB Real, back in the 1700’s they scooped a section out of the hillside and constructed right up against the exposed rock face without any regard to damp proofing.

This was a typical building method at that time, and having the hillside against the rear of buildings enabled easy first floor access to store hay and sometimes farm stock.

When site excavation work started here around 1991, the ground behind both farmhouse and barn was taken away exposing the rock face. Thankfully, the stratified rocks are inclined parallel to the two buildings thus do not break up by sliding. However the edges of each strata break with frost damage and we have to clear up after each winter.

Along the back of the cottage, a wall supports the rock which is a slate shale. Along the back of the barn we are gradually embedding lengths of steel rod into concrete runs placed in-line with the rock strata so as to keep it looking ‘just the way it is’. This might work – I’ll let you know!

I like a ‘natural look’.

In winter, ground water seeps from the rock face and pillows of moss and ferns adorn it. As the surface breaks down, we loose the fernery and the moss! This happens each winter but of course, on the next exposed edges. The trick we aim to perform is to make these rock edges stay in place and develop a stable, year-round fernery.

Any practical ideas are always welcome. If you have mastered this situation in your own place, we’d be glad to know how you tackled it so contact us.

Waves from the many strata of the HoBB
~~~~ <+))))))))>< ~~~ Grant