Stone Dyking at Scourie with Dave Goulder Master Craftsman (for North West Training Centre)

9th-10th August 2011 Stonedyking Course with Dave Goulder at Scourie

Newcomers to Stone dyking were welcomed at Scourie by Dave Goulder Master Craftsman. Local crofter Hendry Flett kindly volunteered use of his barn and tools for the course and plenty of stone dykes to repair. We first tackled a large hole in a tumble down dyke clearing the loose and unstable stones away. Volunteers worked either side of the dyke to make sure equal amount of stone were available to build up the double stone dyke. Topsoil was removed to reveal subsoil and firm hearting stone was placed to make a stable base. Large stones were place at the foot of dyke and carefully rebuilt the wall. It was aligned to the existing wall with the use of string lines and pegs on either side. Each stone was place so that its face sloped inwards to the wall for stability and hearting was placed in the middle of the wall for support to the large stones. Two walls were repaired and we also viewed a fine example of new stone walling the area. Plans were made to make a gate end on day two but we were rained off for part of the day so this will have to be finished another time when all are available.