Forestry Memories

Muskeg stuck in a ditch in Glen Roy

Muskeg stuck in a ditch in Glen Roy

Date Added: 10 September 2024 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1963 Picture No: 5941

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

An embarrassing time for the driver of the Bombardier Muskeg in its work role of distributing fencing material. The very new looking machine is shown pulling a trailer and has a loading crane attached to the rear. It is assumed that the wire rope is fitted to an engine driven pulley somewhere and the crane is swung by hand? This early version of the Muskeg is configured with two side load platforms running the length of the machine either side of the cab and engine compartment in the middle. The cab cover hinged backwards but the seating area was quite low down and cramped thus making access and egress quite difficult.

The deer fencing material would have been a considerable weight and the normal 3” x 3” treated 8 foot posts have been placed in sling loads. An attempt has been made to unload the trailer. The front of the muskeg is loaded with bundles of fence droppers for fixing on the top line wires above sheep or rabbit net on the bottom portion of the fence.

The location in Glen Roy is not noted but several small plantations were established in the extensive hill grazings and acted as shelterbelts on the hill. A large portion of the Glen had been purchased by the Forestry Commission several years previously and included the crofter grazing outrun. The grazing area would not have been cleared for planting by Dept of Agriculture.

Can anyone identify the location and remember this event?

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Groups: Forestry in Action, Other Vehicles and Machines

1 Comment

Way before my time! 10 years before I went to Affric, but Don Ally (spelling!?) from Ardross used to talk of using the Muskeg, with the trailer and how the trailer could cause allsorts of problems, when working on side slopes. And that the crane could tip the Muskeg over when loaded with heavy stobs, as in this image. He also spoke of the inherent risks of operating the early machine, with the cab roof/screen shut down. With a petrol engine and exhaust fumes, he described it as "Driving a potential bomb that wanted to gas you!". Another one of those experienced characters, who was only too happy to guide my early days, putting out fencing and plants with him, using the later diesel powered Muskeg to the upper fence line on the western side of Gleann na Ciche, Affric, without a trailer. The Muskeg did "Take off!" on one descent and we came the best part of 50m toboganning straight down the hill, with the engine racing to try and keep the track speed faster than the slide, as the surface peeled off beneath the tracks. The order to bail out was never given, but Don Ally and I took a long piece break!

Good health, Bill Comment left on 19 September 2024 at 00:28 by Bill Rayner
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