Retirement of John Ogilvie from Monaughty Forest
The photograph is courtesy of Myra Younie who maintained a collection of Forestry Commission event and retirement photographs when she worked in the forestry offices in Morayshire
This lovely image features the retirement of John Ogilvie (known as John Oak) who retired age 65 and completing 50 years of employment with the Forestry Commission in Monaughty Forest (all bar a few months). John had the rare experience of clear felling trees that he had planted in his very early days.
There is a strong story associated with John in that he knew all about and the location of the first tree planted by a Forestry Commissioner (Lord Lovat) in December 1919 on his (Lovat’s) return by rail from the first Commissioners meeting in London. It is not now known who witnessed this event. John would have been only 13 at the time but must have joined the forest squad in late 1921 or early 1922. The large Sitka featured as Duncan Menzies (Harvesting Head Forester at that time) recalls was supposed to be the one planted by Lord Lovat.
The people present below the very fine Sitka are:
(Note LOM – Laigh of Moray amalgamated Chief Forester unit)
1. Malcolm Macpherson (District Officer for Moray)
2. Sandy McKenzie - Monaughty Harvesting and Forest management team LOM
3. Bill McCook – Forest Management Team LOM
4. Bill McKenzie – Forwarder Operator LOM
5. Jock Garrow – Harvesting team LOM
6. Mr E G Richards – Conservator East Scotland
7. David (Dyke) Murray – Newton Nursery Team
8. Andy Sim
9. Willie Forsyth – Wildlife Ranger Culbin
10. John Ogilvie – Harvesting and Forest Management Team
11. Charlie Holmes- Monaughty Forest
12. Sandy Watson – Monaughty Harvesting Team
13. Willie (Gumpy) Anderson – Newton Nursery Team
14. Danny Younie – Newton Nursery Tractor Driver
15. Jimmy Farquharson – Monaughty Ganger mainly on Harvesting
16. Sandy Sandilands – Forester
Any comments, corrections and other details very welcome
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Groups of people, Northeast Scotland