Part of Glengarry Forest - 1973 Forest survey – last updated 1985
The map was recovered from shed at Newton Nursery which acted as a storage area for Forest Research who used the maps to locate forest and tree experiments in the field.
Much of the land in Glengarry forest was purchased from Glengarry Estate over a series of years from 1921 to 1975. An internet search throws up an interesting back story of the Ellice family origins who at one time owned all the land from Glenquoich to Glengarry. It seems that Glenquoich was initially purchased by Edward ‘Bear’ Ellice who at one point was a director of the Hudson Bay Company and later a prominent politician in the UK parliament. His son also Edward added to the Glenquoich area by purchasing Glengarry Estate.
The first land transaction to the Forestry Commission took place in 1921 when the South Laggan Forest area of around 1500ha was acquired. That forest map has not been located however.
The left hand side of this forest map most likely partially depicts the early acquisition of land from Glengarry estate in 1927 when over 8000ha was acquired by the Forestry Commission (South of Loch and River Garry). This area south of Loch Garry was planted from the early to mid 1930s with some later up the hill planting in the 1960s and 70s.
The forest land north of the River Garry and above the north end of Loch Oich may well be land purchased from Glengarry Estate in 1956. Much of this area was planted from after 1956 and on into the early 1960s.
In the large area acquisition of 1927 the early planting years from 1932 onto the late 1930s were a complex mix of tree species which then followed the changeable patterns of vegetation on the moderately fertile ground. Note the Forest Worker Holdings (FWH) which were a feature of early land acquisitions as a policy of providing houses and additional income for forest workers and their families.
Note the newish Forest office location in Compartment No 98. The Head Forester’s House was nearby and Forester’s house was located across the river in compartment No 118. Unfortunately only very limited staff records for this forest are readily available. From 1948 on into the 1950s J D Grant was noted as the forester. Adam Thom and David Tear, head forester and forester, are also names from the past. Were local Games held below the office at one time?
Information on the names of any forest and office staff in this forest would be very welcome. Please see the large map link for enlarged map detail.