By Highland Stone
Highland Stone worked with New Vision Architecture to create a warm and welcoming residential property with local stone highlights against the traditional weatherboard look. The pillars, corners and window sills were crafted from 80 tonnes of hand shaped stone using just a hammer and chisel. Highland Stone used Greywacke stone that was locally quarried and hand laid by the team on site. Chosen for its durability as a hard stone, Greywacke will withstand the elements over time.
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.