A method of coating stone or brick walls with a rough plaster or mortar; the coating itself used to protect or decorate masonry.
From Middle English harlen or Old Norse herla, meaning 'to drag' or 'to roughen.' The term evolved to describe the rough plastering technique used in Scottish and Northern English building traditions.
Scottish castles and cottages use harling to weather harsh climates—the rough texture actually improves water runoff and weathering—making it both practical and decorative, which is why you still see it on 500-year-old buildings in pristine condition.
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