Inverinan Forest — Ploughing above Loch Avic
Photograph taken by Don MacCaskill and image courtesy of Bridget MacCaskill, Strathyre. Don was based as Head Forester at Inverinan from about 1960 through to 1968 before transferring initially to Allean Forest and then Strathyre Forest in 1972.
No information on this photograph but the ploughing tractor is a tracked Fordson County with surprisingly narrow tracks. It is pulling a single furrow Cuthbertson plough operated by cable from a winch on the back of the tractor. The operator is ploughing alone hence the reason for the ‘banks man’ walking behind to keep warm and fulfil his safety duties. Operating the cabless tractor would not be a joy either in this weather and even though water proofs were provided they were not warm.
Duncan MacDougall, Inverinan, says ‘This is at Loch Avich. The reason for narrow tracks could be that this tractor was used to clear the 1953 wind low at Inverliever. The tractor driver would be Archie MacFadzen as he and Don MacCaskill both came from Kilmartin, and probably grew up together’.
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines