Expert tackles projects too big for Repair Shop barn

A stonemason, whose clients include an Oscar-winning actor, joined a Repair Shop road trip across the UK to restore precious objects that couldn't be brought to the barn.

The BBC One show follows a team of expert craftspeople who use their different skills to bring family heirlooms from members of the public back to life.

A spin-off series, The Repair Shop on the Road, visited locations such as North Kessock and Beauly in the Highlands.

The restoration projects included a window signed by poet Robert Burns and a historic canoe.

Richard Fraser, who specialises in historical building restoration, worked with the team as they took on a series of challenges.

Traditional building conservator Richard, from Aberdeen, began his career when he was still at school.

He spent his summers working for his uncle's slating and harling company in the city before joining a roofing company in Inverness.

He told BBC Scotland News: "I'm really excited to take part in the show because we really need to promote the arts and the crafts and the skills appropriate to what we are doing.

"There is a real issue with getting kids and people into this trade, and diminishing trades such as stonemasonry and plastering."

Throughout his career, lime expert Richard has worked on A-listed buildings such as St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney and the King's College building at Aberdeen University.

Richard, who now runs his own conservation and restoration company in Edinburgh, counts actor Jeremy Irons and the National Trust for Scotland among his clients.

He said: "It's really hard work and takes a long time to develop that skill but the rewards that you gain from that are more than monetary.

"My kids love me talking about all the jobs and all the works that I've restored over the years.

"The pride that you take from actually making a lasting intervention on buildings that have preceded us by thousands of years, you just can't buy that."

The second episode of the show sees Richard turn his hand to removing century-old wall decorations uncovered at Nairn Museum.

The artworks painted directly onto the walls of the museum's attic by Polish soldiers stationed there during the Second World War were at risk of being lost forever after the roof started to crumble.

The team also travel to Beauly to meet Alan MacPherson, who has gone from keen shinty player to stick maker.

And they help repair a clockwork ship in a glass dome in North Kessock.

The Repair Shop, on BBC One on Wednesdays at 20:00, is always on the lookout for stories and anyone interested can apply to be on the show here.