The Great Wall of Drumochter: JML Contracts Completes Major A9 Stone Wall Rebuild

JML Contracts has completed the rebuilding of two major stone retaining walls on the A9 at Drumochter, marking the end of a challenging civil engineering project with a traditional Scottish topping-out ceremony. Affectionately known within JML as “The Great Wall of Drumochter”, the project involved carefully dismantling and rebuilding two substantial stone masonry walls at one of the highest points of the A9 dual carriageway.

Rebuilding 70 Years of Stonework on the A9

Originally constructed around 70 years ago, the stone masonry had begun to fail and required careful dismantling and reconstruction. The two walls stand approximately 8 metres and 12 metres high and between them contained more than 300 tonnes of stone. Each stone had to be taken down by hand, cleaned and reused in the rebuilding process, while more than 120 tonnes of lime mortar was mixed to complete the works. The project was delivered for Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland during summer 2026.

Traditional Skills and the Next Generation

Led by JML Contracts Site Manager and Foreman Alex Rattrie, the project brought together some of our most experienced stone masons alongside younger school leavers and apprentices. The younger members of the team worked and learned alongside experienced tradespeople throughout the project, helping to pass traditional stone masonry skills and practical construction knowledge on to the next generation. It was a hugely demanding project involving hard physical work, heavy stone and challenging Highland weather conditions. The team’s skill, resilience and commitment were essential in delivering the completed walls.

A Traditional Scottish Topping-Out Ceremony

To mark the placing of the final stone, the JML Contracts team held a traditional topping-out ceremony – with a distinctly Scottish touch. The final stone was piped in by Freddie Langley on the bagpipes and accompanied by Bertie Dunbar on the drums, both of whom had also worked on the wall during the project. With Amazing Grace and Highland Cathedral played to mark the occasion, it was a fitting end to a demanding project and a proud moment for everyone involved.

The completed Drumochter walls are a great example of the craftsmanship, civil engineering expertise and team spirit within JML Contracts — and of experienced tradespeople passing their skills on to the next generation.

A huge well done and thank you to Alex and the entire team involved in delivering this project, we are immensely proud and grateful to you all!