Stone Types
In general, the best stone for use in walling is the local stone. Even if the other stone can be obtained more cheaply, local stone preserves the continuity between the natural landscape, the older walls in the vicinity and the new work. You can find sources of stone on our " Stone sources" page. Below are some of the stone types we build with.
Sandstone
Sandstones of widely varying ages are found in walls in many parts of the country. Old red sandstone can be found in many parts of east Scotland. The sandstone in the above image is commonly used in Fife. Sandstone may vary considerably in hardness.
Granite
Granite is the toughest and most durable of building stone. It forms the resistant bulk of many of Scotland's wildest moorlands: the Cairngorms, Rannoch Moor and other parts of northern Scotland. Granite can be recognised by its rough surface and warm colours.
Whin
Indigenous stone with excellent characteristics. It has been used historically throughout Scotland. a versatile material which we think looks great in "random coursed" style.
Flint
Flint has been found used for construction purposes historically across English counties such as Norfolk, Sussex and Dorset. Flint is generally only found in Scotland as small cobbles on coastal beeches, apart from one area south-west of Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, known as the Buchan Ridge Gravel.
Stone Sources
Professionally quarried stone can be found at any of the quarries and stone suppliers on our "Stone Sources" page.