The owners of the pub – the oldest public house in Ayr – applied for planning permission to replace the roof with a like-for-like replacement back in July.
South Ayrshire Council approved the application in September, with the plan also given the green light by Historic Environment Scotland.
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Speaking when work began last month, a pub spokesperson said: “Almost two years in the planning and organising and finally it begins. The restoration of the thatched roof of our Tam O’Shanter Inn.
“Business as usual during the work, as always a warm welcome awaits along with cold beers, great Guinness and quality malts. Be part of the history, see you there.”
The “incredibly rare” work to restore the thatched roof was carried out by Alan Jones, Master Thatcher from Pembrokeshire Thatch and Carpentry Services, and his team.
All work was carried out meticulously by hand.
The project, which took three weeks to complete, saw the thatched roof stripped and all debris removed, before being restored using Scottish reed from the Tay Estuary.
Following completion of the work, the owners of the pub, which dates back to 1749, posted on social media: “This week we saw Alan, Sara and Kerenza complete our roof with a new ridge, using traditional methods and materials.
“It has been a fascinating and wonderful journey watching as the thatched roof took shape day by day. The expected duration of the roof is 25 years plus, so not something we will see again for many years.”
