— Dedication and experience —  

Alan Melville

Natural Stonework Specialist & Traditional Stonemason

Alan is an experienced stonemason and stonework designer with a portfolio of beautiful natural stone garden features, several of which have won prizes in local garden competitions.

He specialises in the use of natural and locally sourced materials, creating stonework that sits comfortably in the landscape and evolves naturally with the seasons. Each project is designed to feel timeless, authentic, and uniquely connected to its surroundings.

A skilled craftsman, Alan has extensive experience in the construction, renovation and traditional restoration of stonework. His work includes sensitive and creative projects such as the integration of veteran trees into historic stone dyke walls, using locally crafted metalwork to protect and celebrate these important natural features.

Alan is highly skilled in:

• Traditional stone dyke wall renovation and repair

• New traditional sandstone walls with a contemporary twist

• Stone cladding over blockwork to create striking garden features

• Biodiversity-friendly wall design, incorporating nooks and crannies for wildlife and supporting local nature networks

With a strong eye for design and a deep respect for traditional methods, Alan transforms neglected or overgrown spaces into beautiful, functional outdoor living areas that are built to last.

Fiona Melville

Fiona, (FM Tree Consultancy Ltd), is a highly experienced professional forester, arboriculturalist, tree risk assessor and small woodland owner, with over 38 years’ experience working across the public, private and commercial sectors. She holds a First Class Honours degree in Arboriculture, a Diploma in Forestry from the Scottish School of Forestry, and a Certificate in Practical Horticulture (Merit) from the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.

As an independent arboricultural consultant, Fiona specialises in trees, planning and development and urban forestry. Her work includes BS5837 tree surveys, woodland management, tree risk assessments, and designing with trees, shrubs and hedgerows for both rural and urban landscapes providing increased biodiversity and connectivity.

Fiona has led and contributed to major projects across Central Scotland, including the strategic planning, management and landscape design of iconic woodlands and within the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

She is highly skilled in consultation and communication with local authorities, developers, planners and statutory bodies, particularly in relation to complex planning applications involving trees and woodland constraints. Fiona is known for developing practical, technically sound solutions that support development and planning progression whilst protecting valuable tree and woodland assets. Fiona produces clear, accessible written reports and arboricultural plans using AutoCAD LT and QGIS, suitable for projects of all sizes.

In January 2022, Fiona was awarded the Ken Martin Award by the Scottish Branch of the Arboricultural Association for “Outstanding service to Scotland’s trees.” In 2023, Fiona developed, organised and ran the first Trees, Planning and Development Conference in Scotland in collaboration with Sue James of the Trees and Design Action Group.