Forestry Memories

Hangar barn interior, Blackstand.

Hangar barn interior, Blackstand.

Date Added: 19 February 2007 Contributor: Heritage North Year of Photo: 2007 Picture No: 71

Former RAF hangar converted into a barn. New cladding on the original shell. May also have been used by the Forestry Commission.

Blackstand, now in the possession of the McKeggie family, was a RAF landing strip during World War II. At the end of the war it was bought by the Forestry Commission for use as a nursery and bothy for migrant workers. It became of interest due to the murals painted by two of the foresters, the Hood brothers, whilst stationed there.. Whilst they have been neglected and some have been painted over, they remain a cultural curiosity, and part of an unfolding story.
Thanks to the McKeggies for the help in our research.

Groups: Buildings in Forests, War time constructions and defence structures in woods and forests

2 Comments

This was used as a workshop by the forestry. I remember going there with my father to get his lorry fixed. He worked as a lorry driver at Kilkoy area around 1958. Comment left on 06 October 2011 at 17:01 by Dennis Hurst
The Blackstand hanger may also have been used as an FC workshop up until about 1966 after which the mechanics moved to the Longman Site in Inverness. Comment left on 25 February 2016 at 21:58 by John Martin
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