Forestry Memories

Bin Forest squad 1930s

Bin Forest squad 1930s

Date Added: 28 February 2017 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1937 Picture No: 3611

Photograph Courtesy of Flora Stephen of Huntly which shows her father Jim Stewart (No 7) and her father in law, Jim Scott of Roadburn (No 10).
The year of the photograph is uncertain but Rob Milne has identified his father Willie Milne (No 32) who was Forester at the Bin from around 1933 to 1938 when he was transferred to Durris Forest. Gordon Thom of Tillathrowie remembers Alec Walker (No 14) working in the Clashindarroch Forest and transferring to the Bin Forest afterwards which points to the photograph being taken nearer to or about 1938.
The location of the photograph seems to be the Bin Forest Office and tool shed which was then located at the Forester’s house (Tigh Creag) beside the A96 (now a private dwelling) on the Huntly side of the entrance to the present Bin Forest Car Park. The lie of the land behind the group is very similar to the present location although now covered with trees.
Some people have been named as follows (see large photograph for numbers):
1. Bill Reid - Keeper
2. /
3. /
4. /
5. /
6. /
7. /
8. Jim Stewart
9. /
10. Jim Scott (Roadburn)
11. /
12. /
13. /
14. Alex Walker
15. /
16. Alex Bowie (Later Ganger and Forester)
17. /
18. /
19. /
20. Tonic Mason
21. /
22. /
23. /
24. /
25. /
26. /
27. /
28. Billy Milne
29. /
30. Alex Gray (see comment below)
31. /
32. Willie Milne - Forester at the Bin from about 1933 to 1938 when he was then transferred to Durris Forest (Information supplied by son Rob Milne). Gordon Tom recalls his father saying that Willie Milne was at Clashindarroch Forest in 1932 and actually offered his father a forestry worker job there at that time.

Any more names and suggestions of who worked at the forest at this time would be very welcome.

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Groups: Forestry Areas, Groups of people, Northeast Scotland , Tools, equipment and clothing

3 Comments

Willie Milne front row right, kneeling No 32 Comment left on 01 March 2017 at 15:00 by Rob Milne
No.30 would be Alex Gray (Biffer) better known as a footballer and Gordon Highlander, than a forestry worker. Flora's grandfather Jim Scott who was Charge hand at the plantation left Roadburn in 1935 which would suggest photo taken early to mid thirties. Comment left on 08 March 2017 at 13:23 by Ron Bowie
Rosemary Armour points out that her mother was delighted to recognised her brother Billy Milne sitting with the Forest Squad. Comment left on 15 March 2018 at 16:39 by Norman Davidson
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