Dry-stane dykers of all abilities gathered at Kelton Mains near Castle Douglas at the weekend when their skills were put to good use rebuilding a section of dyke.
The exercise, organised by the south-west Scotland branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association, invited members from the Scottish branches to meet up on the farm which is part of the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Estate. Repairing dykes using traditional techniques is one of many components of NTS’ ambitious 100-year plan to improve the nature reserve alongside the River Dee.
Over the weekend 20 volunteers rebuilt 20 metres of dyke with two cheek ends to incorporate a drinking trough for the livestock.
The joint branch event was supported by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership and allowed the volunteers, including beginners and professionals, to practice building a Galloway style dyke under the watchful eye of expert dyker Garth Heinrich.
Nic Coombey, chairperson of the local branch, said: “The upside-down construction of the Galloway dyke, with small stones at the base, larger stones above and pinned copes, makes it a distinct style which became the preferred style in the Galloway hills.
