The Full Circle: Edition 20
Editor’s letter
As the incoming Editor I would like to thank Johannes Scamp and Joanne & Kitty Birley for their fantastic contribution to the last four editions of The Full Circle. They exemplify the ethos and spirit in which the journal was originally conceived and proved to be more than worthy custodians.
It would be remiss of me if I did not mention the tragic loss of Kitty Birley. Her editorial debut, edition 16, Women of the Woods, was completed just before her canoeing accident and stands as a testament to her intelligence, strength of character and verve for life.
In this 20th edition of the Full Circle we have shaken it up a little. In the interests of design we have changed the font to improve readability – Fairfield: designed in 1949 by Rudolph Ruzicka, who wrote: “type is made to be read and the reader expects nothing but to be left in optical ease while they pursue their reading”.
We have also placed all the ads together at the back of the journal. We anticipate it will allow quicker access for readers to find a specific ad and allowed for a better flow to the article content. We now have a new Edinburgh based printer, Pure Print Printers. As well as being printed in-house they will also deal with posting the journal directly to you, speeding up the time from printing to your doormat. Feedback for the changes will be welcomed!
In this edition News and dates for your diary are all laid out for us by our coordinator Jo Birley, keeping everyone up to date with what’s going on with ASHS. The Scottish Furniture Makers Association’s Chairman Stephen Finch, gives us a rundown of their recent, very successful show at Dalkeith Palace, marking 25 years of the association. Mike Whittal brings us up to date with the Ash Rise, exhibition tours final destination at Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire, showcasing 20 of Scotland’s finest furniture makers.
Willie Dobie (Abbey Timber) gives us the history of his sawmill in Abbey St Bathins, which started as a water mill. Linking nicely to Owen Bushell’s fascinating insight into the restoration of Finzean Bucket mill and his own remarkable journey as a craftsman.
Green aspiration’s Jo Edwards, explains the environmental and far reaching benefits of coppicing in small woodlands. While we have a yard visit to one of our newer members, Archie Wilson of Tree Surgery & Sawmill Ltd, based in Killearn. Archie introduces his team and gives us an insight into the company’s ethos and ambitions.
SFMA member, Steven Noble gives us a guided tour of his workshop and shows us some of his beautiful furniture creations. David Mackay, now moved to his own inspirational space on the outskirts of Fintry, shares his thoughts on a recent order for large dimension Douglas Fir Beams, and their journey to a beautifully sculpted post and beam frame. Douglas Halliday of Scottish Forestry’s niche marketing division gives us a classic example of his job, sourcing Larch logs for The Scottish Crannog Centre in Loch Tay, Perthshire.
We also have a business editorial from Felder UK, celebrating their 70 year anniversary, and introducing their newest member to the Scottish Sales team, Sophie Maley.
Our last business editorial is from Chris Houston of Caledonian Log Homes, who gives us an insight into his journey to becoming the UK agent for Trak-Met Sawmills.
Finally I would like to extend a big thanks to each of our contributors for taking the time to share their stories with us. Also to our advertisers and members for their continued support and to my talented daughter, Stephanie for, as Johannes put it, “Creating such a beautiful journal”.
Best wishes,
Steve
Steve McLean, Editor
As our newest journal release, this issue isn’t available to read online for free, but you a physical copy can be bought from our online shop.
Journal sales help support the work of ASHS.
The Full Circle is released twice per year, for a subscription rate of £14 per year.
In this issue:
Welcome to the 20th Edition of The Full Circle
Celebrating eleven years of The Full Circle, reflecting on the journal’s role in sharing knowledge, telling individual stories and bringing together Scotland’s timber community. Incoming editor Steve McLean also introduces changes to the journal’s design and production, and pays tribute to its previous editors and contributors.
ASHS News & Updates
The latest developments from across ASHS, including new members, the Working Woods Scotland course, a new online sawmilling training programme and the Health & Safety Toolkit. Updates also cover the Tree Salvage project, educational resources, marketing plans and opportunities for members to get involved.
The Scottish Crannog Centre – Sourcing Timber for a Bespoke Project
Douglas Halliday of Forestry and Land Scotland shares the challenges of sourcing and supplying specially selected larch logs for the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay, exploring how specialist timber orders are accommodated alongside large-scale commercial forestry operations.
Ash Rise Exhibition
Following its national tour, Ash Rise arrives at Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire, showcasing work by 20 Scottish furniture makers and craftspeople using timber affected by ash dieback. The exhibition celebrates the value of Scottish ash while highlighting the disease’s impact on our woodlands.
Scottish Furniture Makers Association Celebrates 25 Years
Marking 25 years of the Scottish Furniture Makers Association, this article looks back at the organisation’s beginnings and the development of its annual exhibitions, culminating in a successful anniversary show at Dalkeith Palace featuring contemporary furniture from makers across Scotland.
A Brief History of a Small Scottish Sawmill – Abbey Timber
Willie Dobie traces the history of Abbey Timber at Abbey St Bathans, from its origins as a water-powered mill in the nineteenth century to a modern sawmill producing cladding, beams and flooring, reflecting on changing machinery, timber markets and the importance of local processing.
Yard Visit to Killearn-Based Tree Surgery & Sawmill
Archie Wilson introduces Tree Surgery & Sawmill Ltd, a family-run business combining arboriculture with timber processing in Stirlingshire. The article explores the team’s commitment to training, local employment and making full use of felled trees, from sawn timber and firewood to compost production.
Restoring Hazel Coppicing in Scotland, One Stick at a Time
Jo Edwards of Green Aspirations shares the organisation’s work reviving traditional hazel coppicing in central Scotland, exploring its benefits for biodiversity, sustainable woodland products and community wellbeing, alongside efforts to rebuild coppicing skills and develop markets for locally harvested materials.
Finzean Bucket Mill Restoration
The story of Owen Bushell’s efforts to restore the historic water-powered Bucket Mill in Aberdeenshire, combining traditional millwrighting, timber processing and heritage craft skills. The project aims to bring the mill back into working use while creating opportunities for training and preserving endangered skills.
Steven Noble Furniture
Furniture maker Steven Noble reflects on his journey from joinery and historic building restoration to designing contemporary furniture. Drawing on traditional craftsmanship, locally sourced timber and mid-century design influences, he shares the experiences and materials that shape his work.
From Logs to Landmark – Crafting a Douglas Fir Pergola
David Mackay of Wood Art shares the story of an ambitious timber project, following the journey of large Scottish Douglas fir beams from the sawmill to an intricately crafted pergola. The article celebrates the patience and skill of Marek Wojciechowski, who undertook the build in his spare time.
Felder Group Editorial – 70 Years of Woodworking Machinery
Celebrating its 70th anniversary, Felder Group introduces developments within its Scottish sales and support team, including the appointment of Sophie Maley. The article highlights the company’s continued investment in local customer support, woodworking machinery and services for professional and independent makers.
Trak-Met UK Editorial – Chris Houston’s Journey into Sawmilling
Chris Houston of Caledonian Log Homes reflects on two decades in timber, from discovering log building in British Columbia to establishing his own business in the Scottish Borders. He shares how acquiring a sawmill yard and becoming the UK agent for Trak-Met helped shape the business’s development.
