Inverinan Forest — Ploughing above Loch Awe
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 was given on this photograph but the ploughing tractor is a tracked International BTD6 Registration VYT425 and FC No 3320 indication the machine was registered prior to 1963. It is pulling a single furrow metal wheeled 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. The long grass indicates this operation is taking place in late summer.
Duncan MacDougall, Inverinan, recognises the tractor driver as Jake Roberts but does not know the banks man as in the early sixties the turnover of labour at Dalavich was high. The photo was taken on the high ground, above 1930s planting, about 1 mile on the Dalavich side of Inverinan.
Can the banks man be named?
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines