Peter Ross — a life in sawmilling.

Date Added: 25 February 2016 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1961 Picture No: 3200

Following the placement of photographs of Jimmy Smith working in the Aberlour Sawmill, Peter Ross contacted Forestry Memories explaining that he started his 45 year sawmilling career with Jimmy.

The writer has taken the liberty of copying again a photograph from Robert Bruce of Jimmy Smith working in the Aberlour sawmill owned by Riddoch’s of Rothiemay as an introduction to an article on sawmilling life and lessons written by Peter and attached as a PDF. Peter started in Aberlour then worked in several north eastern mills, enjoyed a period in Australia and finally set up a large company mill in the borders.

Peter expresses his life lessons and sawmilling ethos in a clear, humorous and enlightening manner and this writer will always remember that he must harrow the potato field three times over!

Sawmillers will be fully in tune with his description of the delicate balance between maximising recovery and keeping a lid on the rising pressures on unit costs and and of course on numbers of sorting bins!

Download PDF (3.8MB)

Groups: Sawmills, pulp mills, chipboard mills

2 Comments

Went to Aberlour gardens in the 60s and 70s doing repairs to the tractors and mill. Remember Jock Wardlaugh, who went on to drive the only Volvo forwarder Riddochs ever had, to places like Loch Laggan, Torridon, Ratagan and all the places in between. Great Memories?? Comment left on 11 April 2021 at 20:29 by JOHN LEITH

I remember when Peter (my dad) let me read this. Completely different to my time in the industry in the 80s. Amazing though.

Unfortunately his story came to an end with his passing on August 13th 2023. Was great to come across this out there for all to read.
Thank you. Comment left on 19 October 2023 at 12:45 by Mike Ross

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