30 C O N T E X T 1 1 7 : N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0 or using mortars. In the most exposed locations, where the elements are attacking on all fronts and the purpose is to contain and demark only, an open drystane form of construction may be most appropriate. Structural stability and the ability to drain freely, with minimal maintenance requirements, are most important. Examples from the Western Isles show extreme examples where boulder dykes feature numerous holes, formed intentionally it has been claimed, to create a fragile appearance to discourage sheep from jumping over. In Caithness the local geology allows a minimalist form of drystane dyking using massive abutting slabs set upright into the ground. Elsewhere, in the Highlands, the local Ballachulish slate results in a very distinctive horizontal style of wall with vertically laid topstones. Where it is necessary to limit the amount of moisture within the wall, to protect the stone and mortar needed for its construction, the treatment of the cope becomes more important. Fewer joints mean less opportunity for water ingress and less maintenance. Some examples may be massive in scale. For others a turf cope may suffice. Even the thermal properties of the wall can be engineered and controlled. Walled gardens sometimes had an inner facing brick skin to soak up and release the sun’s warmth slowly for the benefit of the adjacent trained plants. Cost and availability considerations may be even more important factors in the choice of materials. At certain times in history even the clinker industrial waste product has been used. Extant examples of forms of construction now obsolete for buildings may provide an insight into methods possibly once more prevalent. Ancient examples of dry-stone walling can be seen at Skara Brae and iron-age brochs. Walls may incorporate unique features. In an urban context these may include bee boles (cavities for keeping bees in), charter boles (recesses to mark the extent of property ownership), and mounting blocks. In rural areas they may include stiles, lunkey holes (sheep-sized), smoots (rabbit-sized), squeeze stiles (tapered for humans), shooting butts (earthen banks used in archery or shooting practice) and livestock pens, and in Orkney and Shetland, enclosures for growing seedlings before putting into riggs known as plantigrubs. All these provide important historic evidence of former practices which could be lost. Although there is no statutory protection for historic landscapes, there is increasing interest in integrating policies and practices aimed at protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage, including historic landscapes, with land management practices and incentives. Protection policies, where they exist, can help, as does mapping through the Historic Land Use Assessment Project, and the work of the Scottish Landscape Forum and the European Landscape Convention. Recognition of the landscapes’ significance through landscape character assessments and local landscape designation can provide useful frameworks for making decisions. Fortunately, the whole of Scotland has now been mapped and described. On a practical level, there is further hope in the form of financial support through the Scottish Rural Development Programme for maintaining local distinctiveness through the management of historic landscapes. In particular packages are available for restoring existing stone dykes and walls, built boundary features and others of historic significance, with the aim of safeguarding and enhancing the historic environment to encourage the enjoyment of rural landscapes. Matthew Price is a planner (built heritage) with Fife Council. Further reading and references Scottish Natural Heritage Information and Advisory Note 25, Drystane Dykes and Stone Fanks Brooks, A (1986) DrystoneWalling: a practical conservation handbook, BTCV Rebane, M and Andrews, J (1994) Farming andWildlife: a practical management handbook, RSPB Left: A policy wall (around a piece of improved land) at Bridge of Dyce, Aberdeenshire Right: A slab field dyke in Caithness A consumption dyke in Aberdeenshire.That county’s consumption dykes (walls built to use up the stones cleared from fields) are features of national importance.
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