Lord-Lieutenant’s tribute to Sutherland BEM awardee and dry walling master craftsman who works ‘for the love of the land, people and craft’
The achievements and leadership of a Sutherland stalwart and “true ambassador” for the craft of dry walling were celebrated in a special presentation on Saturday.
Master craftsman, author and folk musician Dave Goulder was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year’s Honours List for 2025, in recognition of “services to dry stone walling and to the community in Rosehall, Sutherland”.
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To celebrate his award, a special ceremony was held in the Oykel Bridge Hotel on Saturday, April 19 followed by lunch, when the Lord-Lieutenant for Sutherland presented the 86-year-old with his BEM.
Speaking at the event, Lord-Lieutenant Major General Patrick Marriott spoke of the privilege it was to present the award to such a deserving individual as Mr Goulder—a man who who he noted “had provided a considerate and generous teacher” and who had worked “from the love of this land, its people and the craft”.
Mr Marriott said that he sensed that Dave Goulder had gently delivered proper leadership in his endeavours.
He quoted John Buchan, saying that “leadership does not consist only in a strong man imposing his will upon others – the true task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, since the greatness is already there”.
That, the Lord-Lieutenant said, is what Dave Goulder had really done—he had inspired others by his example and brought out the very best in them.
For the past 50 years, the 86-year-old has been helping to preserve the discipline as a master craftsman and instructor.
Earlier this year, a congratulatory statement from the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) hailed “true ambassador” Mr Goulder as someone who “enthused others to appreciate” the craft of dry stone walling.
They said his skills as a dyker and instructor had played an “essential part of keeping the craft and culture alive in Sutherland”, inspiring others to take it up.
