Restructuring of forest boundaries – amalgamations affecting Corrour, Borgie and Fiunary Forests
The image has been provided by Stephen Newsom, Aberdour, who has scanned this minute, sent to his father Geoff Newsom. Geoff had been Head Forester at Corrour Forest from 1968 to end of 1971.
Corrour was merged with Strathmashie Forest then headed by Jim Ogilvie. Labour from Strathmashie had always done much of the new planting and fencing at Corrour.
Borgie was merged with Naver Forest with office and head forester’s house located at Bettyhill. Head Forester may have been Geoff Reid.
Fiunary was merged with Sunart Forest where office and head forester’s house was located at Salen before new buildings were erected in Strontian in 1976/77. The head forester was Arkle Fraser.
Geoff’s had written comment ‘Merged GBN not in charge’ perhaps speaks volumes!
Original forests and administration areas seldom endured for long in the rapidly evolving mechanisation and technology era as was the Forestry Commission at this and future times. Some locations were able to exist for longer by continuing to acquire more land and increase in size or begin large harvesting programmes.
The names of people in the North Scotland Conservancy at this time are of interest and some can be identified.
Ishbel (I M) Fleming (Head of personnel)
Bob Innes (Conservator)
Tom MacBeath (Admin and Finance officer)
Jock Chrystal (Assist Conservator Harvesting?)
David Seal (Assistant Conservator?)
Andrew Bearhop (Estates Officer)
Peter Malcolmson (Conservancy Civil Engineer)
Mr E P M Fox (First name?) (Conservancy Mechanical Engineer)
Any more information and corrections welcome.
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry Records, Booklets and Reports