The strawbale weekend over 27/28 June at the Gatehouse was attended by a wonderfully enthusiastic group of volunteers of all ages who braved the rain and midges to learn the basics of working with strawbales.

Along the way they got to splash around in the burn gathering stones for the drystane foundation, identified and felled suitable trees for the bale pins, learnt how to split a bale in half without breaking it, used arcane tools such as the drawknife to sharpen stakes that would make any vampire think twice. Then the satisfaction of completing a small shed on the Sunday was concluded by preparing and giving the Gatehouse its annual coat of traditional hot limewash, leaving it a beautiful creamy white and well prepared for the next winter.

I think everyone was intrigued by the possibilities and simplicity of strawbale construction, as well as experiencing a taste of life in a (almost!) completed off-grid strawbale dwelling. I try to help folk realise that building your own beautiful eco-home is by no means a pipedream, and if also using locally available and recycled materials, need not cost a lifetime of debt.

I'd like to thank all those who made it down to the wilds of Galloway for this thoroughly enjoyable weekend. It was a pleasure to meet and work with you all.

Steve James