Dry Stone Walling Association

The Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) is a registered charity. It aims are to promote and preserve the craft of building with dry stone within Britain and to ensure that standards within the craft are maintained. There are twenty-one branches in England, Wales and Scotland, of which, six are Scottish.

Each branch organizes a range of dry stone walling activities each year within its particular region of the country, which includes training courses for people who wish to learn the craft. We also produce a series of information leaflets and books on the subject. 

Building with dry stone is a centuries-old craft and has a strong following in a number of other countries, particularly the USA, Australia, France, Switzerland and Canada. In this country, the heritage stretches back to the archaeological sites of the Orkney and Shetlands Islands, the brochs of Western Scotland and, of course, the mile upon mile of dry stone walls evident throughout Britain. The craft attracts both male and female members of the community and there is a tangible sense of history in building a dry stone structure with a life expectancy of 200 years.

Our dry stone features are intended to complement the horticultural aspects of the Show. There is a growing popularity in using a dry stone feature within a domestic garden setting and our presentation shows the art of the possible. Our folk are on hand to answer your queries and perhaps encourage attendance on one of our courses to learn how to do it and build your own!

The Scottish branches represented this year are West of Scotland, Central Scotland, South West Scotland and South East Scotland. 

Contact details:
Dry Stone Walling Association – www.dswa.org.uk
West of Scotland – www.wsdswa.org.uk
Central Scotland – kate@ellisarmstrong.wanadoo.co.uk
South West Scotland – www.swdswa.org.uk
South East Scotland – dykingdave@drystanes.demon.co.uk
Display Leader – Norman Muir – n.muir@btinternet.com

Gardening Scotland Photos