Ploughing in a Felled Forest near Kishorn
The photograph is courtesy of the family of George Dey. George took many forestry photographs in his forestry career and many are now shown on this web site. Check under ‘Groups’ and George Dey Collection.
Spectacular backdrop to restock ploughing operation at Ardoch Forest (part of Achnashellach Forest amalgamation). Kishorn is obviously up and working.
The large Caterpillar D7 tractor with large double furrow mounted plough is battling its way through the stumps of a felled forest. The driver is almost certainly Archie Clyne (from Ardross?) who drove the only machine combination of its type in North Scotland. In sunny weather the cab became extremely hot due to the hot hydraulics and engine and was more like a sauna causing Archie to work stripped to the waist.
Cultivation in a felled area was attempted to improve growth and survival rates of planted trees - which ploughing did but at a high cost and severe disruption to ground surface. In later years excavators took over the job with less surface damage.
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, George Dey Forestry Collection, Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines