‘Time capsule’ shoemaker’s shop untouched since 1949 to be saved

A “time capsule” shoemaker’s shop that has remained untouched since it closed in rural Royal Deeside in 1949 is to be saved from collapse.
Soutar’s Shop, a ramshackle store about 20 miles east of Balmoral, the King’s Scottish residence, has remained almost undisturbed since its final owner died 75 years ago.
The two-room property still has a corrugated iron roof and Victorian glass windows, while the late proprietors’ tools, machinery, beautifully crafted children’s boots and business ledgers lie as he left them.
Concerns were raised after it emerged that its timbers and fixtures were rotting and historic contents being devoured by rodents and insects.
Plans have now been put forward to restore the A-listed store to its former glory and open it as an educational heritage attraction. Birse Community Trust (BCT), a conservation group, is behind the rescue plan.
The building was erected by James Merchant in 1896 close to the rural hamlet of Ballogie, whose residents bought his handmade leather shoes and boots for more than half a century.
He died of a stroke in 1941 and the business was taken over by his son James Jr. However, it closed for good eight years later and the building was largely forgotten until the owners’ last living relative passed away in 1999.
“The contents survived largely untouched,” a BCT spokesman said. “Boxes of shoes are still on the shelves in the front shop, his tools and materials are still in place in the back workshop, alongside detailed ledgers of his business and a range of other related materials.
“While such rural soutars’ [shoemakers’] shops were widespread in Scotland until little over a hundred years ago, the Ballogie soutar’s shop appears to be the only one that still survives intact in rural Scotland.”
Pieces of leather remain on the floor, close to a foot-driven riveter, a cutting machine and a large roller with which the leather was shaped.
Documents held by Aberdeenshire council show the property still maintains a nine-pane window “embellished with decorative glass”, a shop, workshop and a wood-burning iron stove.
It notes: “Although some maintenance and localised repair work was carried out in the early 2000s the condition of external fabric is now generally poor and is beginning to negatively impact internal finishes and placing the contents at risk of deterioration.”
The chimney brickwork was found to be “failing”, while the windows were letting in damp.
Wooden furniture showed evidence of beetle infestation while sacks and baskets were being gnawed by rodents and “soiled by their droppings”.
Detailed plans for significant maintenance and repair works have been submitted to the local authority
“The aim is to retain and enhance its significance through exemplary custodianship based upon a thorough understanding of best practice, maintenance, repairs and management,” the proposals state.
“The chimney has been wrapped with polythene temporarily until repair work can commence.
“Loose bricks will be bedded in their current locations and failing joints repointed using a hydraulic lime mortar designed to withstand exposure at high level whilst matching the appearance of surviving sound mortar.”
It is hoped the building will be preserved as an educational attraction for visitors and schoolchildren, and that a website will allow people around the world to make virtual visits.
Historic Environment Scotland said it was an “outstanding example” of a rural shop. “The survival of shoemaking fixtures and fittings — including tools, stock and ledgers found in their original place — is considered very rare,” it said.
“It is representative of the closing period of small industry and local life in the late 19th and early 20th century in Scotland.”