December’s Project of the Month: Hard Rock Scaffolding at Dutch Village.

We’re proud to feature Hard Rock Scaffolding as our December’s Project of the Month, recognising their creativity, determination, and technical expertise on the Dutch Village, St Andrews project. This one-of-a-kind challenge pushed the limits of what’s possible in scaffolding design and installation.

Built on Family Values. Driven by Innovation.

Based in Broxburn, Scotland, Hard Rock Scaffolding (HRS) is a family-owned and family-run business approaching its 10th year in operation. Over the past decade, they’ve established themselves as a trusted partner to Tier 1 clients across Scotland and Cumbria, delivering scaffolding solutions across sectors including education, heritage, industrial, and high-rise residential.

With a highly skilled workforce, a deep commitment to safety, and a portfolio of accreditations that reflect their advanced standards, HRS has built its reputation on one defining principle: making the impossible possible.

The Project: Dutch Village, St Andrews.

When many others said it couldn’t be done, Hard Rock Scaffolding took on the challenge.

The Dutch Village, a 1920s structure located in the middle of a boating pond within a prestigious country park in St Andrews, required complex remedial and restoration works. The task? To design and build a floating scaffold system that would allow multi-trade access to every elevation, turret, bridge, and the boathouse, all while protecting the surrounding environment.

Overcoming the Impossible

Building a scaffold on solid ground is one thing. Building one in a pond is quite another.

The pond was partially drained, but the base was unstable, making the installation both complex and hazardous. HRS had to devise a method to reach secure ground, maintain the structural integrity of the scaffold, and keep their operatives safe throughout.

Using a bespoke installation technique and a custom harness system, designed by their Contracts Manager, the team safely installed the floating scaffold without compromise. Collaboration with the main contractor and design team was essential, ensuring the scaffold met strict load-bearing requirements while also protecting the wildlife and plant life that surrounded the site.

The result? A fully functional, stable, and innovative scaffold system that enabled full restoration access, built safely in one of the most unique environments imaginable.

SMART Estimator in Action

For HRS, technology plays a key role in turning ambitious ideas into achievable solutions.

Using SMART Estimator, the team were able to design and price each section of the scaffold with precision, from intricate turrets to complex cantilevered platforms. The software allowed them to visualise how each part would come together before any material left the yard.

“SMART Estimator helped us piece together the entire scaffold, the turrets, the cantilever sections, every detail. It gave us the confidence and clarity to plan, price, and execute with precision.”

The benefits extended far beyond design:

• Every department within HRS could collaborate seamlessly, using shared data for estimating, planning, and logistics.
• Real-time visual renders strengthened client communication and transparency.
• Cost management and reporting tools helped track material usage and prevent shortages — making projects more efficient and sustainable.

Lessons Learned

The Dutch Village project reminded Hard Rock Scaffolding that nothing is impossible with the right people, tools, and mindset. By combining decades of scaffolding experience with digital tools like SMART Estimator, they turned a near-impossible brief into a safe, efficient success.

Looking Ahead

As HRS approaches its 10-year milestone, the team continues to pursue new challenges, from complex heritage restorations to cutting-edge innovation projects in partnership with Layher. Their recent feature in ScaffMag for testing a new Layher system on the Forth Road Bridge highlights their ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in access engineering.

Built for Scaffolders Like Hard Rock Scaffolding

SMART Scaffolder equips forward-thinking businesses like HRS with the digital tools to plan, price, and present complex projects with total accuracy. From floating scaffolds to high-rise access, we help scaffolders work smarter, safer, and with confidence, every time.