Published: Monday, 8th February, 2010 12:30pm

John carves out bright future

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Photo: John at work in the stonemasons' workshop at Culzean Castle

A Coylton teenager is carving out a bright future after landing a prestigious apprenticeship as a stonemason with the National Trust for Scotland.

John Crawford has just started a four-year apprenticeship with the conservation charity and is set to learn the broad range of skills needed to qualify in this ancient art.

As well as working alongside a team of expert masons at Culzean Castle near Maybole, the 16-year-old will complete an SVQ in Advanced Stonemasonry at Glasgow Metropolitan College .

"I've always seen myself working in a skilled trade like stonemasonry and as opportunities like this don't come round often. I'm delighted to have been successful," said John.

Although the bulk of his work will be at Culzean, John will also be required to work at other Trust properties throughout Scotland .

One of John's first projects will be to help repair stonework within Culzean's historic Walled Garden .

"The number of stonemasons has been declining for many decades and its estimated that there may be as few as 300 masons in Scotland who are qualified to carry out repairs to traditional or historic buildings," said Culzean's stonemason, Justin Egerton. "John's skills will be much in demand at the end of his training."

A total of eight stonemasons have been trained under Culzean's apprenticeship scheme, which was founded in 1991.

The Radcliffe Trust has helped fund the costs associated with John's training.