Annual report Speymouth Forest 1964
The reports are courtesy of Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District, Huntly.
This is one of a series of annual reports written by Head Forester R A (Bob) Allison and describes the year’s work on the forest under a listed set of headings. Each forest would send their report to the District Office who would then compile a report for the whole District this then forwarded to the Conservancy or Directorate Office. This series of reports which have been unearthed, run to 1965, but although a number of intervening years are missing they do give a strong flavour of the annual work programmes; a unique insight into the issues and problems as well as the highlights of managing a forest over a period of fifteen years.
The first part of the report highlights the bark eating habit of the red deer continuing for a second year resulting in immediate action! The expenditure variations in the accounts are commented on and also the makeup of the work force where 22 salmon fishers are still employed seasonally. Mechanisation is increasing as can be seen by the machine inventory and the improvement in the roads following action by a powered grader and compaction by roller. Possibly the one of the most significant changes is the increasing attention and consideration of some funds being allocated to improve sites and walks in the forest for the general public to enjoy.
There is an extended paragraph on the processes involved in extracting seed from the cones and having to use three workers working shifts to cover the cone kiln operating continuously.
Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry Records, Booklets and Reports, Northeast Scotland