Drystone dykes, stone dykes made without mortar, are common throughout Scotland including on Invercauld Estate. Making these dykes- or dyking- is a real art and is far from a case of simply piling one stone on top of another!
Steve Denham of Scottish Stoneworks, drystone walling specialists based near Alford in Aberdeenshire, has recently been providing a training course on part of Invercauld Estate near the new Gairnshiel Bridge. Steve and his students are building a new section of drystone dyke that will provide a new feature for those heading north to admire as they cross the bridge. At the same time, Steve is training others in this highly skilled art to help keep it alive for the future.