A three-month project to overhaul the experiential signage around the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle has been completed, with Leach Inspire delivering the 147-sign installation on time and within budget. The work was part of a £2.5m investment in visitor facilities by the Trust, Scotland’s largest conservation charity.
Overlooking the Firth of Clyde, the castle - former home to the Marquess of Ailsa – has a beach location meaning the external signs would be subject to extreme weather conditions. In response, heavy duty materials were chosen - for instance, 40 of Leach’s ‘Vault’ signage systems were crafted from external-grade oak that was left outside for three weeks prior to any carpentry, to prevent warping. 200 x 100mm planks were then cut down from 4m long timber and bolted together to complete the oak signage. All joinery, down to the final lacquering, was carried out by Leach’s own team for maximum quality control.
Three 6m tall flagpoles were also manufactured and installed, plus 49 powder-coated, marine-grade stainless steel directional signs with two-colour print faces. 55 waymarkers with etched and infilled discs, constructed from 90mm diameter stainless steel, completed the signage suite.
Leach Inspire’s project manager Andy Cope said: “We transported a staggering 8 tonnes of signage to this coastal beauty spot. Careful coordination of the job meant that the actual installation was completed in only three weeks - two days ahead of schedule!”