Forestry Memories

Whitelees Forest - draining with ploughs

Whitelees Forest - draining with ploughs

Date Added: 29 October 2007 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1974 Picture No: 273

Slide found in drawer in Aberdeenshire District Office with three others that refer to Whitelees. On enquiring Malcolm Crosby tells me that the loch in the distance is Craigendunton Reservoir and the Scots Pine in background are still there. The crop that is being drained was planted in 1969. The gentleman in the drain demonstrating the depth has yet to be identified.
Obviously very deep peat and fairly soft going as the two tractors are not pulling the draining plough on the draw bar but have a winch cable attached and run forward to a firm area of ground and then pull the plough towards them by means of a hydraulic winch mounted on the back of the rear tractor. The lead tractor is also coupled by winch cable to the rear tractor. The next photograph is a closer view.

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Groups: Forestry in Action, Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines

1 Comment

Comments from Brian Speirs who worked at Whitelee Forest for 33 years. 'The man in this photograph is Mr Fred Cowie, Head Forester of Whitelee Forest 1971 to 1975. Fred had a black Labrador dog. He is standing in a cross-drain which shows how deep, black peat shears when cut by a plough disc. In the distance is Craigendunton Reservoir and next to it a small pine woodland which is not on Whitelee Forest ground. Beyond the pines are the moors and mosses of Lochgoin.' Comment left on 17 December 2007 at 16:39 by Norman Davidson for Brian Speirs
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