The Full Circle: Edition 13
Editor’s letter
This time of Covid and the climate emergency is stranger than any I’ve lived through. One unusual feature is that ASHS members and others in the sawmilling business are working flat out to produce sawn timber for DIY, renovations and extensions, house building and a myriad of other uses. At the same time, more and more people are setting up small sawmills and, it seems, not so much competing with each other as with the vast imports of timber from overseas. We’ll tell the stories of more of these hard-working and innovative businesses in future issues of the Full Circle. I personally hope to see a time when there is a small sawmill, along with other wood-using micro-businesses, in every town and village in Scotland.
This is a time of huge change – the pandemic has changed our lives for good and its economic impacts will reverberate for years to come. The various responses to climate change, from the Paris Agreement to UK and Scottish Government policies and declarations of climate emergency by local authorities and business associations, are already starting to affect the way we do things, and profound changes to how we do everything are on the way.
A welcome change for me (who has spent a lot of time travelling to meetings) is Zoom. Being able to hold meetings by video conference may not be ideal, but it saves a lot of time and money. I’ve been attending the SEDA Zoom conference on land use and I hope we’ll have a report on this important set of events, which may have a big impact on trees and forestry, in a future issue of the Full Circle.
Nick Marshall, Full Circle Editor and ASHS Co-ordinator
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In this issue:
ASHS News
Key updates and developments from across the ASHS network, including member activity, industry news, and organisational announcements shaping the hardwood and premium softwood sector.
Scottish Furniture Makers Association – Adjust/Adapt Exhibition
A reflection on the Scottish Furniture Makers Association’s Adjust/Adapt exhibition, a collaborative project developed during lockdown, exploring how makers responded creatively to restrictions through digital presentation and new ways of working.
Collaborative Lockdown Project
Work across the sector continued during Covid restrictions through collaboration, shared learning, and new approaches to remote making and communication.
Exhibitions in Virtual vs Real World
Angus Ross offer an exploration of the shift from physical exhibitions to digital platforms, considering the benefits, limitations, and future role of virtual showcasing within craft and design.
Scottish Forestry Update
Scottish Forestry outlines current priorities, including woodland expansion, workforce development, and support for a resilient forestry sector.
Scottish Working Woods: Tim Palmer – Basketmaker
A profile of basketmaker Tim Palmer, examining his use of locally sourced materials and his connection to woodland management through traditional craft practice.
ASHS Visual Strength Grading Network
An overview of the development of a visual strength grading network, supporting small-scale producers in supplying structurally graded timber and improving access to construction markets.
Building Affordable Rural Housing from Local Timber
A discussion on the potential of locally sourced timber to support affordable rural housing, linking forestry, sawmilling, and construction in a more integrated supply chain.
Wood-Mizer – From Forest to Final Form
Wood-Mizer systems are presented as a means of supporting efficient small-scale sawmilling, from raw log through to finished timber.
Loch Awe Hardwoods
A look at ASHS member sawmill Loch Awe Hardwoods, focusing on their approach to sourcing, milling, and supplying Scottish hardwoods with an emphasis on quality and provenance.
Julian Schad – Tree Surgeon and Part-Time Sawmiller
A profile of Julian Schad, tracing his career in arboriculture and his move into sawmilling, highlighting a commitment to sustainable practice and making full use of felled timber.
The Wood Yard Stirling
David Mackay shares the story behind The Wood Yard Stirling, combining sawmilling, furniture making, and construction, with a focus on creativity, collaboration, and locally sourced materials.
An Interview with William Kirkwood
William Kirkwood discusses his experience in sawmilling, the evolution of his fencing and furniture business, and the realities of working independently.
Ecowoodworks
Rob Sim reflects on his transition from teaching to sustainable building, outlining his ethos of using locally sourced, untreated timber and working collaboratively with clients.
Eco House Self Build
A detailed account of a self-build eco house project in Moray, covering design, sourcing local materials, construction challenges, and the practical realities of building sustainably.
