information - Scottish Natural Heritage

Countryside Commission for Scotland
Battleby Redgorton Perth PH13EW
a Perth (0738)27921
STILES
A stile should provide a simple, and inexpensive way
of crossing a fence or wall. It must be strong and safe,
yet it must remain as a barrier to stock. A well-built
stile with handhold can be a good waymark, visible
from some distance from the fence or wall.
Type of fence
A stile should be made from materials similar to the
barrier it crosses. Thus, a dry-stane dyke should have
long through-band stone steps in preference to timber
treads (see I S. 4.10.8). A post-and-rail fence should
have a timber stile, while a post-and-wire fence will
probably best be crossed with a timber structure
related to the wooden post on which will be mounted
any hand-hold provided.
Type of user
A simple structure such as a vertical ladder stile (I.S.
4.9.7) is adequate for occasional access, but not for
large numbers of the general public. A vertical ladder
stile is also useful where farming operations, like
ploughing, run close to the line of the fence. The
demountable stile (I S. 4.9.6) is of use for machinery
access or where at some times of year the way may be
left open. In areas where dogs are walked near
residential areas, a small vertical sliding 'hatch' for the
dog may be built beside the stile, or a design like the
'Rambler' (I.S. 4.9.13) may be used.
Skills
Most stiles are simple to construct, but they require to
be stable and safe, with properly fixed hand-holds.
©c.c.s.
INFORMATION
SHEET
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
4.9
Scale
The optimum 'riser' height is about 250mm, the maximum
350mm. All vertical intervals should be the same. Except for a
'bar' rung on a ladder, the width of tread should not be less
than 150mm.
Construction
Always support treads directly onto uprights. If treads are
supported on a cross-piece it is prudent to use a small bolt and
nut to secure the cross-member, not a nail. In addition, a small
check in the upright will give better support than just a
fastening, but the check should not be such as to weaken the
upright.
Safety
If a fence used barbed wire, the barbs should be removed or
covered in some way to prevent injury to users. Hand-holds
should be provided wherever possible.
Maintenance
Inspect for damage or deterioriation every six months — more
often at heavily used sites.
Treatment
All components should be treated to B.S. 4072. Timber cuts
made on site should be deluged with preservative before final
assembly.