A great image of foresters resting and taking in the view of the Cullin Mountains. No information on this image but Davie Robertson, Chief Forester for Skye in 1978, is furthest from the camera.

A forest worker is putting the finishing touches to some signage into the new car park and trails at Kirkhill Forest.

This sign in 1976 shows the format and style of the time, which has not yet changed a lot from early signage.

Two forest workers trimming up a marker post for the new trails in Kirkhill Forest.

Author / artist D.T. Patterson

Guide to the nature trail and forest walks at Loch Awe. The figures in the publication are all pre-decimalisation, so this must have been published in 1971 or earlier.

An invitation to the opening of Fairigig Forest Walk and Exhibition Centre, sent to Hugh Mackay and his wife Moira.

Aerial view of the campsite at Glenmore.

A lone Scots pine stands sentry over the landscape. Like many photos in the Forestry Memories archive, the location is uncertain.

Houses built to home workers at Blackstand Nursery and Milbuie Forest, near Rosemarkie on the Black Isle.

The hostel or bothy would have been home for a large number of forestry workers over the years, and may date back to the early days of FC works in Strathyre Forest.

The location of this trail is unknown, but the photograph shows that long before the introduction of waymarked trails, there were well-trodden routes through the forests.

The earth pillars stand beside the River Spey in Ordiequish Forest, near Fochabers. The ‘pillars’ appear to be composed of a more erosion-resistant section of sand and gravel than the surrounding terrain.

A view of Hielan Shiel Road showing pulpwood stacked awaiting collection.

A shelter cabin built on a forest walk in Slattadale Forest. The two young men are unidentified, but may well be foresters in training.

This office was at Don View. Going by the telephone wires and painted door the Office must have been the small building next to the camera.

Davie Anderson Davie, Head Forester at Clashindarroch Forest, is standing on the high ground well above Kirkney with Tap o’ North in the background. The tree crop is a mixture of Scots pine and Sitka spruce, in which the pine is doing remarkably well.

Trees growing well on the former sand dunes in Culbin Forest.

The remains of ancient forests of Scotland from many centuries ago, found in Glen Geusachan Lairig Ghru, exposed by the erosion of the peat layer.

A superb view of Glen Doll, with Glen Doll House and policy woodlands in the foreground, with Glen Doll Forest skirting around the sides of the valley.

A beautiful shot of Mither Tap and its old fort walls covered with snow, viewed from the forest road in the Birks Burn area.

The photograph is courtesy of Iain Gale, mobile plant manager with James Jones at Lockerbie, who started his forestry career as a Forest Craftsman chainsaw operator in 1981at Forestry Commission Dalbeattie Forest and was the son of Roy Gale Forest Ranger at Dalbeattie Forest.


Dalbeattie Forest Ranger Roy Gale, and Mabie Ranger Hugh Dobie at Glaisters Forest. The vehicle, known as a Bombadier, would be used by Rangers and the Maintainance squad to access the hill.

A relic of an earlier era, discovered abandoned in woods near Kirkbuddo near Forfar around 1972.

A late summer view of the first walks and car parks in Kirkhill Forest.

Great image of a Scottish-built car on a Scottish Forest road, going through its paces in a rally.

The use of long stretches of Forestry Commission roads was crucial to the development of the Car Rallying sport in the UK. The events could and can cause significant damage to the roads particularly in wet weather but much less so in dry conditions. The local forest staff were always keen to get the road repair teams in as quickly as possible after the event to prevent damage to their forest vehicles, particularly on the worn and dug out corners.

This image may be from Mull Forest. An example of early local provision of rustic table and seat furniture. Note the stand for litter collection sack which was no doubt ravaged by local wildlife.

Forester Duncan Menzies navigates a snowy avenue in Culbin Forest.

Lael Forest Walk trails information board and leaflet dispenser. A close inspection of the board indicates a number of trails, some of which appear quite long with some involving a bit of a steep walk uphill.

Jack Christie, Head Forester, stands outside the office is handing over the weekly pay packet to forest workers. Lots more info about this image at Forest Memories.

One of the early annual Bailies’ picnics held at the Back o’Bennachie car park.

A beautiful view on a superb day from South Strome Forest walk, looking up Loch Carron.

As the 70s progressed, ‘Signs Unit’ became a bit of a misnomer, as picnic benches, huts, car park toilet units and more were required. It is testament to the design and quality of the product that some are still in use.