By Highland Stone
Based in the Waikato, Highland Stone were involved from the design stage for this stunning basalt wall project. This invovled everything from liaising with the client on the shape and foundations to quarrying and hand laying all the stones. Crafted with basalt from Te Mata Basalt as well andisite from the Andisite Wall, the products were chosen for their durability as well as coming from the natural surrounding landscape. Each stone was hand shaped using hammer and chisel. Each piece was used to ensure no element was wasted and the project came in on time and to budget.
Stewart is from a little town in the highlands of Scotland called Lossiemouth. He has always been fascinated by historic stone architecture and took up an SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) Masonry apprenticeship after leaving school. His training covered everything from restoration of heritage buildings (including castles, abbeys and churches) and laying stone on new builds.
In 2006, Stewart moved to New Zealand and took up residence in the Waikato. He was one of the first people in the country to complete the new NZQA Certificate in Stonemasonry.
Following the Christchurch earthquakes, Stewart relocated to help with the extensive restoration work being undertaken. After working away from home for a couple of years, he returned to the Waikato and is based in Cambridge doing all types of stonework.