The 85-year-old still working on dry stone dykes

Dave Goulder is not only working at 85 years old, but he also has a rather unusual job.

A master craftsman stone wall dyker, he has helped preserve the discipline since becoming an instructor in the late 1970s.

The craft – also know as dry stane dyking in Scots – dates back 5,000 years in Scotland, but has been at risk from the advent of cheap fencing materials.

Carefully-selected interlocking stones are used to make walls without the need for any mortar to bind them together.

They were traditionally used for the boundaries of fields and churchyards, but also provide shelter for livestock.

Dave, from Sutherland in the Highlands, was recently named in the New Year’s Honours list when he was awarded an British Empire Medal for services to dry stone dyking.

He is still teaching people how to build dry stone dykes on courses organised by Lochview Rural training.