Chris Topp and Co Architectural metalwork Wrought ironwork Iron work Wrought iron News 080711

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CHRIS TOPP & CO - Stirling Castle

For the last eight months, North Yorkshire blacksmith company, Chris Topp & Co, have been creating decorative and intricate ironwork items for Scotland‘s Stirling Castle as part of its £12 million restoration.

On Wednesday the 6th July Chris Topp travelled to Stirling to be in the company of Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when the Queen re-opened the Royal Apartments. Chris Topp was among the VIP guests attending a lunch in the Castle’s Great Hall following the Queen’s tour and opening ceremony.

A team of seven specialist blacksmith craftsmen at the company’s forges in Carlton Husthwaite and Tholthorpe, rural villages between York and Thirsk, had to first research the traditional techniques of 14th century blacksmiths before replicating many items commissioned by Historic Scotland for their Stirling Castle restoration.

Before creating twelve six foot high candle standards, it entailed visits to the Victoria and Albert museum in London to view a surviving 600 year old pair of standards originally holding candles. Chris Topp’s new versions had to conceal cabling to the electric styled candles needed to meet 21st century safety requirements.

“Our blacksmiths have had great fun in creating pieces of iron work to a 15th century design but adapted for present day safe public viewing” says Chris Topp. It included four brass chandeliers, various candle sticks, fire baskets, fire backs, fire dogs, fire place equipment, rods and hundreds of hooks.

This is the latest major prestigious restoration commission undertaken by this 30 year old North Yorkshire company whose clients already include the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and numerous stately homes.

The restoration of the 1000 year old great Castle has been a 20 year project to re-establish the castle interior to how it possibly looked 550 years ago when King James V of Scotland suddenly died leaving his infant daughter as Mary Queen of Scots.

When in 1603 Mary’s son, James 6th also became King James 1st of England, he moved his court to London and as over the years the castle became more prominent as a garrison, the Royal Apartments lost their importance. It is this area of the Castle that has had the major part of the recent restoration and now houses the North Yorkshire made creations.

It is an ambitious and bold move by Historic Scotland to improve Stirling Castle’s image as a major Scottish tourist attraction and the restoration programme is on going.