Dry stone walls are universal. Stone was the first building material when man left the cave and needless to say they did not use mortar. Throughout the ages stone has been widely used and today stone ruins probably tell us as much as anything else about the history of civilisation. The craft of stone walling is well and truly alive today, and in many countries it is applied to the conservation of historically significant walls. As other building materials take the place of stone, artistic expression through stone walling is gaining momentum as the functional aspect declines.
The Dry Stone Walls Association of Australia has equivalent bodies in many other countries, all dedicated to the noble craft. You will find some wonderful walls and exciting activities on the following sites.
Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain
Cotswolds Rural Skills – Walling Academy
The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland
The Stone Trust (Vermont, USA)
Dry Stone Walling Across Canada
Dry Stone Conservancy (Kentucky, USA)
West of Scotland Dry Stone Walling Association
Newsletter of Oxley & Yorkhsire Dales branch of DSWA(UK) Otley Rocks 12
Johnny Clasper – creative Yorkshire waller and designer
Stone Art – Irish waller and designer Sunny Wieler