New England sawmillers in Scotland – Sawmill up and working
The images are courtesy of Rene Knott and Kyle of Sutherland Historical Society. However the writer is uncertain of how the photographs known as the Culeve (Location in Strathcarron) collection were formed and who initially collected them. A similar collection is in the care of the Jenks Library in Acton Massachusetts gifted by Webster Blanchard who was the foreman of New England Mill No 3 team. It is assumed that one of the Americans or more had cameras, took a selection of photographs which were passed to various team members. A local Scottish photographer or press reporter should perhaps not be ruled out as there would have been a ready market for photographs among the New England teams. Any further information on the photographs would be very welcome.
This appears to be yet another sawmill site (ten to chose from) as the spark catcher on the engine flue is different, the large tree standing near the mill plus the land profile on the left behind the mill looks to very flat and not climbing up hill as in many of the Strathcarron sites.
The image gives a good view of the log material that is being sawn in terms of length and diameter and species could be Scots pine or larch perhaps. Of interest are the poles lying back left – appears to be a pile of timber from tops of the tree stems. Also directly beyond the saw bench is a large pile of something but difficult to make out – ideas? The steam engine is unfortunately hidden behind the uprights and impossible to see the belt drives.
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Groups: American sawmillers in Scotland 1917, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Sawmills, pulp mills, chipboard mills, Tools, equipment and clothing