MEMBERS of Scotland’s £10 million stone sector have come together to form a trade association which will promote the economic and environmental benefits of the industry.

The Scottish Stone Group organisation has been formed by Denfind Stone from Angus, Hutton Stone, which is based in the Borders, and Tradstocks from Stirlingshire in order to raise awareness around Scotland’s stone sector.

The move came about following the publication of a British Geological Survey into Scotland’s building stone industry. The study found that the value of stone imported into Scotland in 2014 was approximately £40.5m, representing 8.8 per cent of the UK total imports.

Currently, the combined turnover of the Scottish Stone Industry is approximately £10m and 85 per cent of stone used in Scotland is imported.