Forestry Memories

Newfoundlanders Forestry Unit ‘Scotch Sawmill’

Newfoundlanders Forestry Unit ‘Scotch Sawmill’

Date Added: 26 July 2022 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 2022 Picture No: 5435

The image and details are courtesy of Alasdair Cameron, Black Isle, who writes:

‘This portable roller sawbench was used by a Newfoundlanders Forestry Unit in Strathconon in WW2 . It is on cast iron wheels with solid rubber tyres in good condition and I suspect it was made before WW2. It was probably sold to the Estate by the Board of Trade Timber Department who were responsible for selling off surplus equipment at the end of the war. Both the Newfies and the Canadians referred to this style as Scotch. It was rescued for restoration and was spotted at Rogie near Contin’.

Quite a number of Canadian and Newfoundland forestry units used ‘Scotch’ sawmills. This one appears to be a single bench version. See details in previous record No 5434

Can anyone say if these were mass produced to supply these newly arrived units and if this was the design used?

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Groups: Canadian and Newfoundland sawmillers in Scotland, Sawmills, pulp mills, chipboard mills

6 Comments

Alastair Cameron, this portable saw looks exactly like the one I sent to Norman that he then posted. I later found out there was a company in Forres in the 50s made them Wm Reid (Forres) Ltd Comment left on 26 July 2022 at 11:37 by Tam Anderson
I am part of the sawdust fusiliers living history display group and I am looking for any plans for WW 1/2 saw mills. I know that the Canadian forestry corps brought some over with them. Scotts mills were also used I would like to make a replica for display use
Any help would be great thanks
Comment left on 13 September 2022 at 13:40 by Clive Ashton -Clements
Got one in my yard going to renovate it over the summer Comment left on 05 January 2024 at 17:14 by Robert jones
Robert Jones , could I ask where are you and if there is a chance that you could send me some pictures, I would like to make a model of one to take to our displays Comment left on 07 January 2024 at 08:29 by Clive Ashton-Clemente
I live in mid wales give me your contact number and I can get you some pictures Comment left on 08 February 2024 at 20:40 by Rob jones
Hi Robert
Sorry for the delay that would be great
My email is ashtonclementsc@gmail.com
Comment left on 09 February 2024 at 09:50 by Clive Ashton-Clements
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