Hunt for two Galloway Dyker brothers

31st August 202425th August 2024

The craft of drystane dyking is described in Wilcopoedia as

“A drystane dyke or dry dyke is a waw that is biggit frae stanes athoot ony lime tae bind thaim thegither. As wi ither dry stane structures, the dyke is hauden up bi the interlockin o the stanes. Sic waws are uised in biggin construction, as field boonds, an on stey braes as retainin waws for terracin.

Dykes are a feature of Galloway and a very good article describing their importance both in history and how they have influenced our landscape can be found in this link to the Mill on the Fleet website. Particular note should be taken of the description of The Galloway Dyke.

https://millonthefleet.co.uk/walls-in-the-landscape/

A question from Norther Ireland.

A local historian and storyteller, in East Antrim, was intrigued by a story in an old copy of The Scots Magazine from 1995 and sent us the following query

27-29 High St.

16th July 202416th July 2024

This case study published by Historic Scotland continues our theme of looking at parts of the town which aren’t generally known. This category B-listed 18^th Century townhouse in the High Street had been separated into two houses in the late 19^th Century as can be seen here next to Harts Close.

Having bought the house in 2001 the work to develop the house took till 2014 with the following objectives.

To create a comfortable family home with flexibility to accommodate up to six people.
To restore the building to the original mid-18th century design.
To balance the demands of conservation and functionality within the building.
To contribute to the ‘Artist’s Town’ heritage and architectural character of Kirkcudbright, acknowledging the building as an important part of the High Street.
To undertake conservation work to the highest affordable standards; as recommended by the conservation architect and local planning authority.
To continue to occupy the building as a functioning home during the works.