When the first settlers arrived in Lanark in the early 1820s, they were faced with dense forest and rocks that they had to tame in order to survive. It is no surprise therefore that they made use of these very resources for the fences. To this day you can see snake and straight cedar rail or “patent” fences throughout the area, a reminder of the challenges of the earlier days in the Highlands.

Traditional snake fencing is adaptable to almost any terrain with its ability to turn corners, wind around rocks and trees and travel up and down hilly areas. The straight rail fence became more common as the boundary lines between farms became more precisely defined. The common building material for all types of split rail fencing is eastern white cedar, a native tree which is naturally insect and rot resistant, weathering to a soft grey in about a year’s time. A good cedar fence, properly constructed on solid ground can last 50 to 100 years. It is this type of rail fence featured in the demonstration and workshop.

Learning traditional building skills is an important way of preserving the heritage of Lanark and though few of us would have need to enclose 100 acres, it is charming way to mark property boundaries, rural or urban. The beauty of the old style fence can also enhance the walkway and the garden path, especially when heritage native plants are included.