Stonemason applies traditional skills

Students, including a Yeovil-born stonemason, who are learning traditional building skills have described the “honour” of building a new nature hide at the headquarters of a foundation set up by King Charles.

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The permanent structure has been built on the 2,000-acre Dumfries House estate in East Ayrshire by students on the building craft and conservation programme (BCP), which is run by The King’s Foundation.

It is the 35th “live build” construction project to be built by BCP students, and coincides with the foundation's 35th anniversary.

The trainees, who are learning skills including heritage stone masonry, plastering and joinery, built the hide over 13 weeks as part of a nine-month course that has seen them undertake training and work placements at various sites around the UK.

The hide is in an area of woodland near the main house, and it is intended to provide a haven where visitors can spend time in harmony with nature while exploring the grounds.