Guisachan Lime Kiln
The lime kiln is a large impressive structure, approximately 5 metres high, built into the slope of the hillside below the fields of Guisachan estate, and now near the north-east corner of Forestry and Land Scotland’s Lower Guisachan forest. It has a stone facing over 3 metres long and 1.2 metres high and the base of the structure is almost 4 metres wide.
Lime was used in Scotland at least since the 17th century to fertilise the soil and to increase the ph of acid soils to at least 6.5, enabling crops to access more nitrogen. Its use became more widespread during the agricultural improvements of the 18th century, but the kilns used were often clamp kilns, which were little more than small, single-use pits sited in the fields where the lime was to be spread.
Guisachan lime kiln is a draw kiln, a much more efficient and permanent structure, which could be used continuously for several weeks at a time, mainly during the summer months.
Limestone and fuel were loaded through the circular hole in the top of the kiln into the pot, the actual body of the kiln, and set alight, burning for many hours to reach a temperature of 900° to 1000° and producing lime (calcium oxide). The lime and ashes were removed from the draw-hole at the base of the kiln.
The work was heavy, dirty and dangerous, and required specialist expertise.
The limestone used probably came from the quarry near the kiln, and a track leading up towards the top of the kiln may have been made by carts bringing limestone or fuel. The fuel used was probably wood, as peat produces too much ash and affects the quality of the lime.
The owner of Guisachan estate in the mid-19th century, William Fraser of Culbokie, is said to have “taken advantage of the capabilities of the soil by introducing the most approved system of modern agriculture” (New Statistical Account of Scotland, 1845), so it was possibly he who had the kiln built to provide lime for his own fields and those of his tenant farmers. The writer of the account of the parish in the New Statistical Account also notes that the soil is thin and stony and requires a lot of lime and manure to raise a good crop.
The kiln is not marked on the 1876 edition Ordnance Survey map, so it is likely that it had gone out of use by then, with lime possibly being bought instead from commercial kilns further south.
Site Information
SHA Site No: 8
Site Status: 
Location: NH 3096 2677 Landranger OS 26
Three words: pizzeria.audio.different
Period: Modern
Date: 18th/19th Century
Site Owner: Forestry & Land Scotland
Open: 24 Hours
Access: Forest road
Grade: Moderate
Parking: Entrance to forestry NH 3021 2631
Notes: Observe any notices re forestry operations
