Forester�s House at Ardross Forest

Forester�s House at Ardross Forest - The Pines

Date Added: 27 August 2024 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1973 Picture No: 5920

The photograph was taken by the late Finlay MacRae who was a District Officer in the Forestry Commission based in Dingwall at the time. The images are courtesy of his daughter Donna.

Not stated as being in Ardross Forest but The Pines was the name of the forester’s house there and sited on a sharp bend on the Struie Road some distance up from the office. Donnie Laird, Head Forester Ardross may have been in residence at the time.

On the other hand Frank Thom believes that there is an identical house in what was the former Urray Forest and that Finlay MacRae stayed in it for a short time before moving to Dingwall. Now confirmed as Urray Forest House at Highfield outside Dingwall (See Comments)

Is this a Swedish style timber bungalow type timber house built in the 1950s when many worker and foresters’ houses were erected in a great number of parts of the country? Can anyone name other residents of this house?

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Groups: Buildings in Forests, Forestry Areas

3 Comments

That was The Pines at Highfield outside Muir of Ord. Dad ( Finlay) Mum myself and sister lived there for a few years before moving to Dingwall Comment left on 25 November 2024 at 22:39 by Donna Macrae

When I knew "The Pines", it was occupied by Tim Taylor and his wife Margaret and their son, from 1981 to after 1985. By that time the view to the south of the house, with Clash Wood to the immediate rear, Faebait Wood, the larger trees to the south and Auchmore Wood on the slopes of Cnoc Udais going to the skyline, was obscured by the SP in the Clash Wood. Tim occupied the house from when he took up the post of Chief Forester at Torrachilty in the 1970's, coming down from Bettyhill to take charge, until he bought the house in 1984 from the FC at the time of Margaret Thatcher's/FC policy change of enabling foresters to buy their tied houses. At this time of the Forest to Forest District re-organisation in 1984, Tim was transferred to Culloden FD and before retirement was Establishment District Forester there. After retirement, Tim and Margaret continued to live at "The Pines" and played the Muir of Ord golf course, as it was their favourite pastime. Unfortunately Margaret became ill and Tim nursed her, I believe at "The Pines" until her passing and I understood that he too stayed until his passing.

The house, still known as "The Pines", now only has the 3 potted chimney, the 2 pot chimney having been removed, Tim's garage and sheds to the rear, where Finlay's car sits in the picture are still standing and the SP/NS/Bi trees around the house are now mature. Comment left on 27 November 2024 at 10:45 by Bill Rayner

I used to call in for a yarn with Tim on a Sunday night as I stay about 100 yards away from the Pines at Clashwood and have stayed here for 32years. I don’t think this photo represent it as there is only one window on the l/h side of the porch and the roof does not look as if the two chimneys were removed from the west end of the house. The house still belongs to John the son who stays in Inverness and keeps the hedge and grass cut. Hope this is of some value.

Comment left on 02 December 2024 at 19:54 by Fred Fraser

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