1. Tenderiser

    Tenderiser Not a man or BayView

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    What kind of stone are these buildings made of?

    Discussion in 'Research' started by Tenderiser, Jun 5, 2016.

    [​IMG]

    It's a difficult thing to google! Any suggestions appreciated.
     
  2. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

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    Can't tell from the image but 'travertine wall blocks' is a good place to start your search.
     
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  3. Oscar Leigh

    Oscar Leigh Contributor Contributor

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    Sandstone maybe??
     
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  4. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    The paleness (even though aged and with patina) and crispness of line says limestone to me. Where is this? That might actually help.
     
  5. Oscar Leigh

    Oscar Leigh Contributor Contributor

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    I can see limestone. That would make sense.
     
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  6. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

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    When I see something as smooth as the one on the left I think marble, but it would probably depend where your story takes place - it's pretty expensive to move stone long distances, so it's usually sourced fairly locally.

    Where I live, limestone's the most common building stone - won't last as long as some, but plentiful and easy to work with. I'd say either of those buildings could be limestone if it were cut properly... see Chateau Laurier for a grey version, at http://30dayadventures.ca/30daysinottawa-sleeping-in-a-castle-fairmontlaurier/

    We also use sandstone if we're feeling fancy.

    You could check http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/BS-Main.html for a catalogue of images that might twig something for you.
     
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  7. Tenderiser

    Tenderiser Not a man or BayView

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    Sorry, should've said - this is Inverness town centre.
     
  8. izzybot

    izzybot (unspecified) Contributor

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    Looks like limestone to me. There's a ton of it where I live. Poking around it seems like a lot of the buildings in the area are either limestone or sandstone.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2016
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  9. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

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    I bet you could contact these guys - https://www.facebook.com/InvernessLocalHistory/ - and they'd be able to help you out. Google maps makes it look like most of downtown is built of that lovely taupe stone from the right-hand building.
     
  10. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

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  11. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

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    It's fascinating to me the different approaches people have for searching out information like this. I never think about historical groups or looking for those groups on social media. You've expanded my horizons. :agreed:
     
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  12. Catrin Lewis

    Catrin Lewis Contributor Contributor Community Volunteer Contest Winner 2023

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    Ditto on the limestone from me. And I'm a licensed architect; I'm supposed to know these things. Dressed ashlar, most of it. The building on the left features quoins at the corner, and the one on the right has blocks worked with margins on the ground floor where it's supporting those engaged columns on the first storey. BTW, the upper storeys there appear to be brownstone, which is a particular kind of limestone.

    It's lovely work. I never made it to Inverness when I toured Scotland. Too bad for me.
     
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  13. Oscar Leigh

    Oscar Leigh Contributor Contributor

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    They are very nice looking buildings.
     
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