Training Programmes
We run three weekend training courses each year at our sites at Auchenfoyle and (potentially, in 2024) Kilsyth. The sites offers a range of interesting and challenging walling features for both the beginner and skilled waller.
We have a number of trained, qualified instructors who are skilled in the craft. They will oversee the training, answer questions and provide advice throughout. The courses start at 9.00 and finish around 16.00 each day, with suitable breaks throughout the day.
The courses are very "hands on" and practical in nature, the emphasis is on the minimum of verbal instructions and on learning by doing. The physical effort involved is not challenging, and at any rate help should always be asked from your walling colleagues if the stones are heavy to move.

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Please read the document “Walling Ways of Working” so you know our Safety, Clothing and Equipment requirements.
Then book using the booking process on this page. If you wish to pay by Internet Banking please send us an email and we will send our Bank details and book you in after we receive payment.
When the booking is complete, you will receive an email with links to PDF documents you should read before your course.
Places on each course are limited to a maximum of 20 per course.
Our training courses are very popular and only cost £95 for the two days.
You can pay with Credit/Debit Card. If you wish to pay by Internet Banking you can contact us and we will send our account details.
Yes, You can buy our Gift Vouchers for any amount – to redeem against a course. A Gift Voucher makes an excellent present idea for a birthday or other occasion.
Please Note: We only accept our own WSDSWA Gift Vouchers. We do not issue or accept Gift Vouchers from anyone else – including the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA).
To buy a Gift Voucher, click on any course at the bottom of this page. Then click on “Gift Vouchers” (below the blue/Book or yellow/Join Waitlist button). Select or input your Voucher amount and enter the details. Then select how you wish the Voucher to be delivered.

- By Email
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- use this option to have a Gift Card emailed out to the recipient
- the recipient will be emailed a Gift Card – after you complete the purchase
- you will be able to print/save a backup from the completion screen
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- By PostCard
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- use this option to be posted a physical Gift Certificate/Voucher (see the example in the picture).
- sent by Post – UK only – Royal Mail First Class. We usually post it out the next day – however, it may take up to three days around public holidays. It can be sent to you or sent directly to the recipient – you enter the postal address.
- it comes with a Compliments Slip and an inner envelope for the Voucher.
- you will be able to print/save a backup from the completion screen
- if you select the Postcard option, please enter a value of £95 or a multiple of £95.
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- By PDF
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- use this option to print/download (download as PDF) an email/Gift Card that you can give to the recipient
- you will be able to download/print the email/Gift Card (as a PDF) – after you complete the purchase.
- you will be able to print/save a backup from the completion screen
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If you wish to pay using Internet banking, please contact us at enquiries@wsdswa.org.uk
You will be emailed an order receipt
The recipient will be able to redeem the voucher when they select the course of their choice. Gift Vouchers are valid for 12 months
You must be over the age of 16 to join the course. While there are no specific fitness requirements, some of the sites require a short hill walk, so you should be able to walk up a hill. Please check the course details to see where the sites are located and any notes of access.
If you have dodgy knees or hips or have balance issues please be aware there is some bending over and kneeling for a couple of hours on the first day of the course. It’s not compulsory to participate in this or any other part of the course – so you can just watch – if it’s too onerous.
We will endeavour to change you to another course if you can’t make your booked course and there are available places on the alternative course.
If you want to move course, then please send us an email, as we can easily move you to a course if there are spaces. It is easier for us to do this, rather than you cancelling your booking.
In applying for a place on the course you are required to confirm that you have read and understood the Walling Ways of Working Instructions which can be found in the How do I book a course section above
You should also read the Beginners Guide which will help you understand the process for building a dry stone wall. It is an introduction to the Dry Stone Walling terms and techniques that will be taught on the course.
Yes! Please download the Course Information document. It contains detailed information.
Where we can, we will give you links to accommodation where previous attendees have stayed.
We include this on the Walling Location/Directions sheet we send you after you book. Look for the Local Accomodations section on the sheet.
These sheets are also located at the bottom of our home page wsdswa.org.uk in Our Walling Locations section.
If a course is fully booked, instead of a blue/Book button, you will see a yellow/Join Waitlist button.
You can select another course, or you can add yourself to the waitlist. The week before a course we will check the waitlist if any spaces come up.
Unfortunately, due to weather or stone supply or other circumstances beyond our control, a build site may not be available for a particular course, so in this rare occasion, we reserve the right to move the course to another site.
We usually open booking of the Courses for the following year around the beginning of November (after the AGM). We may release the course dates on the Programme page before this but booking will usually be opened at the beginning of November.
If you want to be notified that the new Courses are available for booking, please add yourself to the waitlist of one of the current courses.
Note: Everyone who was on at least one of the current year’s waitlist (and couldn’t get on a course) will stay on the waitlist for the notification of the new year’s courses.
If you add yourself to our waitlist, please be aware that we will probably not contact you until the week before the course, as that is when we tend to receive our cancellations.
At the end of the year, if you haven’t managed to get on a course we will email you when the dates for the next year are confirmed. We will then clear the waitlist – ready for the next year.
If we have to cancel or postpone the course, then we will email you and add an information message on the front page of the website.
We don’t cancel/postpone unless very bad weather is forecast. If we don’t email, then the course will be going ahead.