Forestry Memories

Corpach Pulp Mill

Corpach Pulp Mill

Date Added: 30 May 2007 Contributor: Heritage North Year of Photo: 1970 Picture No: 213

The Corpach Pulp Mill 1964-1981. Stretching from the two 'dolphins' cranes on the islet, unloading 16,000 ton bulk carrier ships full of woodchips, with a 1,500 ft pipe blowing the hard wood chips into massive piles on the far left of the site. These would then be turned into pulp using chlorine and china clay moving through the buildings from left to right, and becoming paper in the low wide building called the finishing end. Lorries would bring 80 loads every day with trains pulling 350 tons of logs every night. It employed almost 1000 workers, was responsible for vast housing developments and improvements to transport infrastructures in the area. The buildings covered 320,000 sq ft and 5000 tons of steel and 30,000 cubic yards of concrete were used to build it. It had 3 miles of rail track and 2 miles of road at its peak. It is all due to be demolished within the next year or two. Photo courtesy of Alec Pyper

Groups: Sawmills, pulp mills, chipboard mills

3 Comments

I was a recovery boiler operator for nine years, before moving back to fife. I felt realy sad when I saw the power house getting blown up.Ca'nt understand why people were cheering when they saw it. The mill was a very good employer. Happy days. Comment left on 09 April 2014 at 16:41 by Jim Wells
A great place to work for 10 years. Comment left on 05 May 2018 at 12:19 by Brian turner
Worked at the mill for 14 years from 1965. Having completed a BSc ( forestry), worked in the Wood Ops Dept. then in various depts. Last job was Pulp Mill Supt. before moving to another mill in the WT group as Production Manager. Much enjoyed the experience and have good memories of my time at Scottish Pulp and Paper Mills, Fort William. Comment left on 31 August 2026 at 20:34 by Sandy Wilson
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