This is half-pie.

Dry Stone Walls

Posted 1. June 2003, 16:42 in by Alan Macdougall, received 19 comments.

I think that dry stone walls are one of the most charming features of the British countryside. These are walls made completely without cement or mortar, just using the skill and eye of the waller in placing the rocks so that their own weight binds them together. Becky and I were in the UK for a year or so a while back, and in our travels around Britain we would often stop to take photos and look at how they might have been constructed. Most of the ones you see in the North of England are up to 250 years old dating from the time of the enclosures (in the South people grew hedges instead). But there are other examples that are much much older still. It is a very old craft.

Dry Stone Wall in progress: 1In fact, I liked walls so much I decided to go on a walling course not long before I left the UK in 1997. As it was near the end of the summer I had a few problems finding one that suited; but eventually one Friday night I ended up in Littleborough (near Manchester).

The next morning I found my way up onto the moor and the site of the course (using a trusty OS Map, of course). The tutor explained the basics. I found out the rather depressing news that the standard Pennine Wall, the kind we would be building over the next two days, uses approximately a tonne of rock per metre of length. As I had been doing a typical soft southerner’s office job in London, I knew at once that I was going to have an interesting time.

To the right (Dry Stone Wall in progress: 1) you can see the base laid; note the two parallel lines of stone.The Pennine Wall is built double, with some ‘through-stones’ later on.

Dry Stone Wall in progress: 2You can now (Dry Stone Wall in progress: 2) clearly see the through-stones at this stage. These help to bind both sides of the wall together.

Dry Stone Wall in progress: 3And now (Dry Stone Wall in progress: 3) you can see we’ve started putting the cope-stones in on the wall end closest to us. These lock together to (hopefully) stop stock from knocking the wall over. Plus they look good too.

It was much harder work than I expected, but it was good to see the results. I learnt quite a lot… but one of the biggest lessons was that I’m simply not built for moving tons of rock about professionally. I’d like to have a go in the back garden one day though (although maybe Wellington is not the best place for this).

On another page, I show some of the pictures of walls I took while travelling around Britain.




Comments

  1. Hugh Boyd
    27 July 2003, 09:52 #

    Just to say from a profesional waller working in North Yorkshire... It's good to know that people like you are out there! Let me know if you plan to come to North Yorkshire, I would be happy to show you a few dry stone walls...Lime Stone, Sand Stone, doubles, singles, old and not so old.

  2. isabelle
    1 September 2003, 08:46 #

    please send me a list of books i can buy on dry walls. its my bou friends birthday and i would lioke to spoil him!!!!!

  3. Sam
    24 September 2003, 21:39 #

    Although it is not strictly related to dry stone walls, you might find this interesting. www.kilts.co.nz/mhorruairidh.htm

  4. Alan
    26 September 2003, 09:17 #

    Sam, those pages are pretty weird. There's some very odd agendas at work there...

  5. stephen
    31 October 2003, 15:08 #

    I am a dry stone waller All day long I dry-stone-wall Of all appalling callings Dry stone walling's Worst of all. (Pam Ayres)

  6. irma
    1 March 2004, 13:46 #

    I am from SAfrica and would love to do what you have done ...I love the dry stone walling and Im sure I could pick up those stones ...Please tell me where I could learn to do this or where you went (adress etc) I am in manchester right now

  7. Alan
    2 March 2004, 08:57 #

    Irma: I suggest you contact the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain. It was though them that I found out about the course. They are very helpful and nice people.

  8. Jim McCulloch
    28 September 2004, 17:37 #

    All I can say is that I live in New Zealand and would love to change my life. It's been an interest of mine for as long as I can rememeber, I must have it in my blood as I've never really wanted to do anything else. I'm from the UK, spent a lot of time in Nth Yorks, Scotland Dales etc. I'm glad I have found this site and will check in from time to time .

  9. ian stewart
    12 October 2004, 10:52 #

    Hi I need a bit of practical advice on dry stone walling I've read the books etc and have had a couple of shots at making a dry stone wall out of river boulders - OK results but " room for improvement ". I'm in Wellington - are there any examples of dry stone walling locally and maybe an enthusiast who I could have a chat with ? Ian

  10. Ian Carline
    26 August 2005, 15:49 #

    I am a profesional dry stone waller from Derbyshire and have been building stone walls for the past fourty years. In the future i plan to teach this ancient craft, it is not as hard as most people think as long as you stick to the basic rules. Stone walls are so natural that is why so many people want to have a go at building them it takes you away from the every day life which people are so accustomed to. I look forward to hereing from you, Regards Ian Carline

  11. Carolyn Duty
    8 February 2006, 05:35 #

    Hello i live in Fort Smith Arkansas,USA and i am going to college. In my English class we have to do a report over something we found intersting in the book All Creatures Great and Small. The thing that interest me the most is the dry stone wall. In the book James Herriot only talks about these walls in passing but they still interest me a great deal. I was wondering if you have any information that may help me in my essay. Thank you for your time,

    Carolyn Duty

  12. Donald Gunn
    13 April 2006, 06:59 #

    I run courses at all levels,in the North east of England, in beautiful locations, and can arrange acommodation.
    A very good practical handbook is “Drystone walling: a practical handbook.” by Brooks, Adcock.ISBN 0 946752 19 2
    Price around £14.
    On no account get Andy Radford’s book “A guide to drystone walling ” The worst book on walling ever.Just dont encourage him, ok!

  13. Luke Boam
    16 April 2007, 03:08 #

    I am a professional drystone waller from SW Scotland, i specialise in drystone features seats flower beds etc, i have over 2000 meters experience in farm walls of all diffrent shapes and sizes and am currently looking to start courses etc, anyone interested contact me, commision jobs etc taken on all over the country.

    07729199077

  14. Glenn
    21 July 2007, 16:36 #

    Hi
    i was looking for beginner courses in dry stone wall building but not having any luck finding any in my area. I live in Massachusetts but can travel all over New England. Do you know of any contacts in my neck of the woods?

    Cheers!
    Glenn

  15. Alan
    21 July 2007, 17:48 #

    Sorry Glenn, I have no idea.

  16. Jason Hoffman
    25 July 2007, 05:50 #

    Glenn

    If you are looking to find drystone walling training in your area, contact the following Vermont-based dykers:

    Michael Weitzner Thistle Stone Works PO Box 2298 Brattleboro Vermont 05303-2298 USA Tel: +1 802 254 9869

    e-mail: thistle.stone.works@comcast.net

    Dan Snow
    526 Stickney Brook Rd.
    Dummerston, VT 05301
    USA
    Tel: 802 254 2673

    e-mail: teatime@together.net

    The other place to contact is the DSWA (Dry Stone Walling Association) in the Uk – http://www.dswa.org.uk/main_index_frames.htm

  17. JOHN BUTLER
    13 November 2007, 10:29 #

    hi,reading books on dry-stone-walling,and looking at the pictures are inspiring…..BUT to actually do it is entirely different..you either have it ..or not..i,ve had lads work with me for years,and quite honestly all they are good for is labouring..(Iwould not ask anyone what i could not do myself)..i,ve won competitions,,,and worked with ,i believe some of the best masons (stonwallers)in the world…..To do it well ,and i,ve watched people,loking at my work..like looking at a masterpiece painting..is truly rewarding…I once did a job for a yuppie builder..this dry stonwall,was 80 feet long (2.4m)app)(8.m high). and right in the centre ,was a stone that stook out like a sore thumb..he said that does not look right,,,so i took my nicker(bolster)cut it in half ..wow the painting was finished…I really can make a silk purse out of a sows ear,,lol,,,i,m good and i know it …lol. my gardens a masterpiece.honest i,m not being big headed, if every 1 says i,m good ….well there must be something there.. ive worked on castles..awwww done everything..i,me 66 look a lot younger, and fitter than blokes half my age..lol..any way THANKS FOR READING……YOURS FAITHFULLY …JOHNNY BUTLER…

  18. Reuben
    10 January 2008, 19:56 #

    I’m 19 and flying to New Zealand in a few hours. I’ve been walling in Southwest UK on and off for 2 years. If theres any new wallers in the South Island who need someone to work with, let me know. If I’m honest I can put up between two and three meters a day on avarage atleast. I started of very slow fussy, but i’m getting faster. To date I’ve only put up about 30 running meters independantly. My facebook name is “Um Why”

  19. Mike Purcell
    12 July 2008, 14:33 #

    I’m originaly from Wales, now living in New Zealand some of my pics are on my website www.stonewerx.co.nz let me know what you lot think!!!

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