We were initially faced with a wall that had covered over the late 1700's fireplace in an old Sea Captain's house in Anstruther (now a B&B). Our intention upon opening up was to install a slate hearth and oak beam. However, after removing around a tonne of rubble we discovered a large inglenook fireplace (very unusual in the East Neuk) with a raised stone hearth and all the original sculpted stonework relatively intact. After consulting with the client we decided to maintain the original features. The hearth was extended out into the room to allow for building regulations and all the stone work was raked out and cleaned then repaired and lime pointed. The fireplace now tells a story of over 200 years of use (and mis-use!), from the original open fire, to the marks where a range and cooking pots were added in and then finally a multi-fuel stove in 2015