Forestry Memories

Building of Glentrool Forestry Village 1954

The images are from Joan Park who was born in the village and show the initial construction of the first 47 houses which were completed in 1954. The origin of these images is uncertain but any information on the photographer would be very welcome.

Workmen can be seen working on the roof of the house at the rear (mid photograph) fixing the sarking and the dormer windows prior to nailing on the slates. The records show that the School and school teacher’s house were built by the council in 1956. Can any of the houses be numbered or named?

The village was located in midst of what would have been Glentrool Forest and is about 15 miles north of Newton Stewart. The first planting in the forest appears to have started around 1948 following an acquisition of a substantial area of land totalling about 48,000 acres - much of it no doubt on high hill tops. The first Head Forester is named as A D MacRae and he certainly was still in charge in 1960. By this time the total land area was almost 54,000 acres with the annual planting programme running at well over 1200 acres and more forester staff are named in some records. They were J Parker and Hamish Park (Foresters) with J A M Cooper and P W McClelland as assistant foresters.

Any more forester and worker names from these early days would be very welcome.

Download Large Version (432kB)

Groups: Buildings in Forests, Forestry Areas

3 Comments