February 2008 Heritage Feature: Forestry Memories - Video Films

Sister site to Heritage North, Forestry Memories (www.forestry-memories.org.uk) was set up by a partnership between the Forestry Commission Scotland and the School of History, UHIMI. It was initially created to act as a visual counterpoint to the oral history research being conducted by the UHI. But whilst the academic research focussed on just two areas of the HIghlands, Forestry Memories cast open its doors to include a Scotland wide remit, though even that has been appropriated by the diaspora. Attracting comments from those world-wide wth an in terest or participation in Scottish forestry.

The fame of the site has spread and we have attracted visits from those interested in a wide variety of topics including; Canadian Forestry Corps during World War Two, Lumberjills, ploughing, school holiday "lumberkids", the Belize Foresters, forestry training, songwriting, technological innovations in forestry practice, and forgotten folk art. However, the biggest single finding is the width and depth that forestry has gone to in Scotland. The business has permeated Scottish society and created a bed upon which culture has grown.

The news that the academic research may well be expanded nationally, can only be good for the site. There are areas that are geographically underrepresented, faces still to be identified in group photos and no doubt a great many surprises to be uncovered.

Have a look at these videos, but bear in mind that there are more on the site (www.forestry-memories.org.uk) in addition to audio and image content. have a scout around, you too may get a surprise. Fell free to add comments, and maybe post something, if you have an image or story that may be of interest to the readership.

Benmore Forestry School students, 1960, no145