History of Riddochs
Images courtesy of Sandy Tough, Huntly who wrote the article recalling events and circumstances from his many years of service with the company.
A. G. and W. J. Riddoch Ltd., wood merchants of Rothiemay, was originally established in 1841 as George Riddoch & Son by George Riddoch, grandfather of Alex and Willie Riddoch whose initials appeared as the company name from the 1930s. Prior to this George’s son (also called George) carried on the sawmilling business until in turn his above sons took over around the early 1930s. It seems that in addition to felling and milling the timber, Riddochs also provided a planting and replanting service to the estates that they worked with.
Up to the 1950s and beyond the three sons managed the business (Wyness the youngest son joining the company after returning from Canada) with Alex the eldest responsible for the management of the harvesting, felling and planting operations. Willie was overall General Manager particularly following death of Alex in about 1957 and Wynes was Commercial Manager. Both Willie and Wyness died within the same year of 1969 and ownership and management thereafter passed from the family.
In 2002 Sandy Tough, who had worked at Riddochs from 1953 through many changes and ownerships until retirement in the 1990s when it was owned by James Jones Ltd, wrote a more detailed account from memory of the history of the Riddoch Company and their products. This account is now attached to this record as a PDF and can be accessed by clicking on the PDF button.
Sandy Tough has added the following information:
'During 1955 Riddochs was split up. A company by the name of South Midlands Timber Ltd was acquired and a part of AG and WJ Riddochs was transferred to that company name. I believe that this was the process of making Riddochs a Limited Company.
The area of Richochs transferred was:
1. The Strathdon area which included Newe Mill and Kildrummie was under the control of Willie Munro.
2. The Turriff area which included the Markethill Sawmill, Forglen, Bin and Glass all managed by Willie MacPherson.'
Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry Records, Booklets and Reports, Gale 1953, Northeast Scotland , Sawmills, pulp mills, chipboard mills