Letter Cutting and Carving
The expression ‘Carved in Stone’ describes something that is eternal and unchanging. This impulse to carve texts onto stone to create a permanent record is as old as writing itself, ranging from Egyptian hieroglyphics through to Roman inscriptions. These historic artefacts include tombstones and commemorative plaques, their quality and permanence inspiring future generations to continue the ancient art of letter cutting.
However, the majority of letter cutting is now manufactured using methods such as sand blasting and laser etching. Whilst these modern methods can be faster and cheaper, LTM masons believe that traditional tools and techniques define authenticity, marking the distinction between a machine product and artistic creation. The mason’s ancient craft depends on the meticulous setting out and skilled cutting of the lettering style, in terms of design, angle and depth of the lettering.
Whether it is a memorial to a lost loved one or a corporate logo and name, a method of recording a famous event or a simple house name, LTM can design an original piece of lettering and hand carve a chosen stone in a variety of styles and techniques.
Featured Letter Cutting and Carving Case Studies
Craigievar Castle - Alford
Craigievar Castle is a Category A Listed Tower House dating from the early 17th century. William Forbes bought the partially completed castle in 1625 and completed it in the spirit of the Scots Renaissance. It is known as ‘the pink castle’ and has been described as ...
Mary Slessor Memorial - Aberdeen
The Mary Slessor Memorial is located in the Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen. It is a tribute to Mary Slessor (1848 - 1915), a United Presbyterian Church of Scotland missionary in Calabar, eastern Nigeria. She became known as the 'white queen of Okoyong', recognised ...