The Scottish Government

The following list of activities are eligible under this element. Where required further technical information is provided to help you undertake this activity in the required manner.

Activities to restore and reinstate deteriorated and damaged drystane dykes, walls and flagstone walls.

Eligible drystone flagstone dykes or walls can include those in open farmland, pasture or rising up hillsides, or those that form the perimeter around community buildings like village schools, cemeteries, churchyards and memorials and 'Head dykes' where these are used to mark where open hill meets fields.

• When undertaking restoration and reinstatement works of deteriorated and damaged walls and dykes, you must use materials which are traditional to your locality and match adjacent areas. Stone which has obviously fallen from the wall/dyke must be used for repairs.
• When undertaking works reflect the local style and methods for your area. Your restoration and reinstatement works must match the adjacent areas of walling.

Activities to restore, reinstate and where necessary replace distinctive built boundary features

Historically significant features are those within publicly accessible Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes as identified by Historic Scotland. Other highly visible features within the wider countryside can also be eligible. These can include fanks, stelae, roundels, stone stiles, milestones, drinking troughs, parkland fencing, mounting stands, gateposts, gate piers, walled garden walls, ha-has, balustrades, bridges, dovecots and earthen and turf banks.

• Restore, reinstate and where necessary replace in a sympathetic manner, locally distinctive built boundary features that contribute to your local landscape character. Materials traditional to the locality that match the areas adjacent to your built boundary feature must be used. You can erect stock fencing where this is required to stabilise earthworks or turf banks once these have been repaired.
• You must use the local character style and method of construction to match the adjacent area unless Historic Scotland advise differently. When replacing items these must match similar features on your site.
• When undertaking activities under this element you can erect temporary fencing when required to prevent access by livestock or members of the public during repair work.

If you are applying for this element define the category of the existing stone dykes, walls, stone built boundary or other features of historic significance under at least one of the following headings

In your application describe any current management of the feature this must include information on any works undertaken by other individuals, organisations or bodies.

When applying for the dyke or wall restoration, you must provide the measured area to be restored. This can be done by multiplying the length by average height in metres.

To support your application provide information on your proposed materials, such as where the stone will be sourced from in either your location or from another suitable local source. If you are proposing to use different material or building methods you must discuss your proposal with Historic Scotland.

If you propose to restore, reinstate or replace built boundary features within a Historic Garden or Designed Landscape you must have confirmation from Historic Scotland that your features are of significant historic value.

If you want to use stone from places where there may be potential archaeological interest, likely to be anywhere other than known 'fieldstone' dumps then you must show you have consulted your Regional Archaeologist.

You must identify if your proposal concerns the restoration of a masonry boundary.

You must provide references or supporting documentation to show that the person carrying out repair work has successfully completed an appropriate training course, or is a member of the Dry Stone Walling Association or equivalent.