About Us

The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA) was founded in 1968 in Kirkcudbrightshire, by the late Mrs Murray-Usher and the Stewartry Drystane Dyking Committee.  Since those early days, the Association has continued to expand and currently has over 1300 members in the UK and overseas. 

Dry stone walling in Britain stretches back at least three and a half millennia, to the village of Skara Brae in the Orkneys, and the Iron Age brochs of northern and western Scotland.  Dry stone walls are found in Britain, and elsewhere, where large quantities of rock and stone are found above the soil, and especially where trees and hedges do not grow easily because of the climate, elevation, strong winds or thin soils.  This is why dry stone walls are most prominent in northern and western Britain, and often at the higher altitudes. 

Today dry stone walling is prospering with an upsurge in interest in the environmental value of walls and the growth in prestigious garden, landscape and artistic projects.  Dry stone walls are an important feature of the British landscape which should not be taken for granted.

As interest in environmental issues increases, dry stone walling sits comfortably within these parameters, being a sustainable product made from natural materials.  Although initially appearing more expensive than fencing, with regular maintenance a dry stone wall could stand for 100 years and at the same time offering shelter and habitat for a wide variety of animals, birds and plants.

The main aims of the Association are to promote a greater understanding and knowledge about the traditional craft of dry stone walling and to encourage the repair and maintenance of dry stone walls throughout the country.  DSWA operates a nationally accredited craftsman certification scheme, run in conjunction with Lantra Awards, which offers four levels of certification.  DSWA branches offer a range of short courses, mainly for beginners, but there are some opportunities for more advanced training.  Courses are also run by a number of colleges throughout the country, details of which are available here. 

In 2004 DSWA relocated to Cumbria and its Head Office is based at the Westmorland County Showground, Crooklands from where all leaflets, books and equipment are available.  There is an outdoor exhibition showing the variety of stone found within the UK and how the type of stone affects the way in which walls are built in different parts of the country.  There is also a training site where practical courses are run.  This work was generously funded by the Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER+ Programme.