On 14 June, Scottish Sculptor, James Parker, and the team at Drystone Walling Perthshire will receive the prestigious Certificate of Merit from the Dry Stone Walling Association; an award which recognises exceptional projects incorporating dry stone walling in Great Britain, and the first Certificate of Merit to be awarded in Scotland since 2006.
A Doocot (Dovecot), commissioned by Sir Fraser and Lady Morrison of Teasses Estate, Fife, in celebration of a milestone anniversary, was submitted for consideration under the Dry Stone Walling Association’s Pinnacle Award Scheme. The scheme is designed to embrace a wide range of projects highlighting the very best of craftsmanship, innovative use of design and inspirational use of stone.
The Doocot, designed by James Parker of James Parker Sculpture, stands at over four metres in height and required around forty tonnes of stone. It is now functioning as a new home for the doves. Working alongside James on the project were Martin Tyler, Steve Gordon and Findlay Reade of Drystone Walling Perthshire.
The DSWA is delighted to recognise the work involved in constructing the Doocot. As explained by Sean Adcock, the DSWA’s Pinnacle Award Coordinator, “The Award Scheme seeks to inspire people to commission work like the Doocot and it is encouraging to see young wallers and designers working on exciting projects such as these that can be enjoyed by the public for many years to come.”
Doocot designer James Parker said “A project like this is a once in a lifetime experience; an opportunity to demonstrate skills and techniques in dry stone walling and to create a structure that will exist for many, many years.”
“To be recognised by the DSWA for the Doocot is a real honour. My grateful thanks go to Martin, Stevie and Findlay of Drystone Walling Perthshire who built the Doocot alongside me and to Sir Fraser and Lady Morrison for commissioning the project. I hope it brings them and the visitors to Teasses a great deal of pleasure”.
Doocot owners Sir Fraser and Lady Morrison said “To celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary we wanted to add to the rich heritage of the Estate and Gardens at Teasses by creating a focal point opposite Teasses House. Working with our chosen sculptor, James Parker, we decided to build a doocot in dry stone”
“James and Martin, together with his outstanding team of dry stone wallers, created a masterpiece which we are delighted the Dry Stone Walling Association has recognised with an Award.”
“The Teasses Doocot will grace the gardens at Teasses for generations to come. On a daily basis we enjoy the doves flying around the gardens and admire the design and craftsmanship of an exceptionally talented team”
