Craftmen’s signatures dating back to the turn of the last century have been uncovered during renovation works at the former Kinross County Buildings.
The site is being converted into a business centre and caf.
While removing old ceiling boards, builders discovered several markings left behind by those who had worked on the building in the past.
Several date to 1932, when it’s believed a renovation was carried out, but others are believed to be even older.
Jerry Alexander, director of Liberty Business Centres, which is transforming the property, said the discovery was a surprise.
He said: “It was a nice surprise but not out of the ordinary. We have found a few others in other locations but these are the best preserved, largest and best looking ones that we’ve found.
“We’ve had a few places where we’ve had to open up old timbers or plaster and these were behind an old celling.
“Some look like they’ve been from repairs that were done in 1932 we found quite a lot of signatures from then, which suggests there must have been quite a lot of a refurbishment done at the time.
“I’m not sure if the older signatures are back to the original date of the building but I don’t think they are.
“The building was originally constructed in 1826. The signatures were probably done when they took out two old vaults that is the ceiling that would have been created above them.
“Unfortunately we don’t know when the vaults came out but it was certainly early 20th if not late 19th century that they did the work.
“We do have one from 1899 not in that area, it’s in the old bell tower. I have come across one on the back of an old piece of wood that was 1856. Anyone who’s been in there doing refurbishment work seems to leave their mark.”
Asked if the current builders would be carrying on the tradition, he added: “I don’t think our guys have been but maybe we will at some point.”