Adam C Cassie Forester 1947
The photograph and details are courtesy of Alistair Cassie, Ballater, grandson of Adam. The significance of the trolley and its plaque only came to light when it was recently moved.
Adam Cassie was presented with a MM medal for bravery in 1914-1918 war, joining up in early 1915 as a newly married man. Prior to this he worked for a period at Troupe House, near Gamrie, and on his marriage may have moved before 1915 to Birkhall Estate. After the war he continued his employment there until the forestry area was taken over by the Forestry Commission in 1932 and named as Alltcailleach Forest. By 1947 still in Forestry Commission employment Adam was appointed as Forester to Countesswells Forest which had just been purchased from the Gammel family. When he first moved to Counteswells he stayed in the BTC type house before Forest Lodge was built. Before retirement he also supervised Kirkhill Forest.
The following is a copy of some details that Robbie Adams (former Forest District Manager, Angus Glens, recalls in a ltter to Alistair:
Dear Alistair,
You have made me start reminiscing on old times at Countesswells. I don't have any pictures to hand at the moment, but when I get time to go throughthem I will copy them to you by email.
When Sir Sidney Gammel, the Laird of Countesswells died in early 1946, his son Deputy General James Gammel, in command of Middle East Forces at the time, informed the staff of Countesswells Estate (myself included) that his family had decided they could no longer run the estate, the farms would be sold off to existing sitting tenants and the Estate staff would be paid off at the end of May.
The woodlands and large felled areas would be acquired by the Forestry Commission, who then offered employment to the seven current staff (myself included). From early June 1946 the seven forestery workers were transported daily from Countesswells to Durris Forest area. This continued until January 1947 when we were instructed one Monday morning to report to Countesswells Estate Workshops where we were introduced to Forester Adam Cassie for the first time.
For the following two years Adam was responsible for teaching me the rudiments of forestry. He lent me books and pamphlets and encouraged me to join the forestry classes run by the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, Aberdeen University and Forestry Commission held at Aberdeen Central School (now The Academy, Aberdeen). He also encouraged me to join the Royal Scottish Forestry Society (RSFS) and took me to all the meetings throughout the north east of Scotland.
Aberdeen University encouraged their full-time students to seek forestry experience during their holidays. Countesswells being the nearest forest to Aberdeen had their fair share of students. One of the many was Kenneth McKellar the famous singer. I remember the day of his first live radio broadcast ...he had taken the day off to go to Belmont Street Studio to sing two songs during the Scottish Dance Band programme.
In March 1949 one Saturday morning I was approached by the then District Officer, Hamish Maxwell offering me a promotion post to Forest Ganger if I would transfer to Fetteresso Forest. Adam Cassie was so enthusiastic about this and said this was the first step in my career. He continued to encourage me while I was at Fetteresso.
In April 1953 I was transferred back to Countesswells Forest to assist in clearing up the terrible windblow of 30th January that year. Well over 100 acres of trees at were blown flat. The staff had increased to over 20 and my assistance was required in supervision and administration.
In September 1953 I married Reta and was transferred to Haliburton Forest, Coupar Angus as foreman, much to Adam Cassie's delight! I can't remember when Adam retired but I do remember visiting him at a house in Cults, and later in Golf Road, Ballater.
Adam Cassie was my encourager, my mentor and my advisor. He treated and
scolded me like a son!
Robbie Adams - Retired Forest District Manager.
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Northeast Scotland
As an introduction Adam Cassie was my grandfather and Alistair is my cousin. I saw Alistair in Ballater in mid 2017 just after we had buried my brother-in-law at Tullich cemetery near Ballater.
Adam and Isabella Cassie had 4 children viz Chrissie, George, Edward, John. My mother, Chrissie, was born on December 11, 1915 while her father, Adam, was away fighting in France. She was born at Dorcinsilly cottage on the Birkhall estate………where Alistair was also born in 1945……so Adam worked as a forester there before WW1 broke out in July 1914. I have a photo of my mother, myself, my late sister and Alistair in 1949 at Dorcinsilly cottage on the Birkhall estate when George, Alistair’s father lived there with his wife, Jean, plus Alistair and later Dorothy.
I was born in January 1948 in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire to James McPherson and Chrissie McPherson (neé Cassie). I recall many happy holidays at Forest Lodge, Countesswells in the 50’s with my parents and late sister, Kathleen. I have some family photos including my grandfather Adam and Sandy his dog. I recall walking through the woods there to the little shop at Blacktop. I can envisage the sawmill at Forest Lodge, Adam’s wonderful gardens and the nearby farm owned by the Crookshanks at the time.
When Adam retired he and Isabella moved to Cults before selling it and then buying the bungalow on Golf Drive, Ballater where he lived with Isabella until his passing in the late 60’s. Alistair and I had cords at his burial at Tullich cemetery where Isabella, George and Jean, my mother Chrissie, father James, sister Kathleen and brother-in-law were also buried in later years.
If you would like to view the small number of photos which may be of interest to you, please use my e-mail address in order to make contact.
Yours sincerely,
Bill McPherson Comment left on 20 September 2022 at 14:16 by Bill McPherson