Yes probably a building issue. Is there 'bridging' occurring, where the external ground level is higher than the internal floor level (or DPC if you have one). Is there actually more of a condensation problem... ventilation, insulation etc
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
The cost of a survey from a qualified damp specialist would be worthwhile. I had one done on an old Victorian cottage I once owned, for the benefit of the new buyer!
"Damp specialists" have treated the room before we owned the house and it clearly didn't work, and other experiences with them have not been good. There's no DPC, it's not condensation, it is sadly wicking up from the ground. It runs to just below the level of the first layer of lime mortar, as you'd expect. Hence wondering about drying the ground with plants. I may talk to a historic building surveyor and see where we are.
No need for further comments here giving similar building advice.
It could be more of a land drainage issue rather than a building issue per se, hence suggesting ways to improve drainage/reduce that ground sogginess. If rain or surface water is not the issue, there could be an underground stream, an unusually high water table, a particular geology of your hill that is causing the issue, any number of things… so if I were going to spend any money on investigation, my instinct would be to seek the advice of a land drainage expert first.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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I think you need to adopt something similar to what @Busy-Lizzie describes.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think you are using the wrong forum.
Or perhaps just some good old-fashioned talking to your locals.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
"Damp specialists" have treated the room before we owned the house and it clearly didn't work, and other experiences with them have not been good. There's no DPC, it's not condensation, it is sadly wicking up from the ground. It runs to just below the level of the first layer of lime mortar, as you'd expect. Hence wondering about drying the ground with plants. I may talk to a historic building surveyor and see where we are.
No need for further comments here giving similar building advice.