8.4.7 Timber and Woodworking

Much of the research concerning the post-medieval timber industry in Perth and Kinross has focused on the Black Wood of Rannoch. In the early 1670s a sawmill was established at the mouth of Loch Rannoch (Lindsay 1974, 264; Mills 2010). This was one of the earliest recorded sawmills in Scotland and appears to have produced pine deals, or boards, mainly for local use. A further sawmill existed at Carie by the 1680s (Lindsay 1974, 265). Extensive 18th-century records survive regarding the Black Wood, particularly following the area’s forfeiture to the British government. Wood from Rannoch was sent to Perth and other locations in the region; it is likely that a significant amount of Rannoch pine survives in standing buildings in Perth and Kinross. Dendrochronological investigation, in particular of historic sarking boards, might help identify the products of early sawmills in the region.

Black Wood of Rannoch ©️ Richard Webb (CC BY-SA)

Waterways appear to have been key to moving timber around the region during the post-medieval period, with considerable quantities of wood being transported along lochs and rivers (Lindsay 1974). There is also evidence in the Black Wood of Rannoch of canal-like chutes being used to move felled timber, although the exact date of these structures is unclear. Far more archaeological research could be undertaken regarding post-medieval remains from the timber industry (Lindsay 1974; Mills 2010; Mills 2021).

A great deal could be learned about built heritage, timber supply and landscape change through the dendrochronological analysis of 17th- and 18th-century buildings in Perth and Kinross. Surprisingly little dendrochronological study has been undertaken on post-medieval buildings in the region, although there has been recent investigation at Sunnybrae Cottage (MPK13872) in Pitlochry (Mills 2021; Mills and Crone forthcoming). This ash cruck cottage is probably from the late 18th or early 19th century, but further extension of the native ash tree-ring records is required before it can be securely dated through dendrochronology.

Original woodworking in Sunnybrae House, Pitlochry ©️ HES

While it is likely that some native timber was used for construction work in post-medieval Perth and Kinross, imported timber was also important. The 18th century is an especially interesting period regarding timber supply. In other parts of Scotland, we see a shift at this time from Scandinavian to Eastern Baltic structural timbers (Crone and Mills 2013). Further research is needed to see whether a similar pattern applies to Perth and Kinross.

Bobbin and other turning mills can be found in forested areas. A survey drawing on map and documentary evidence found 23 turning mills in Perthshire during the 19th century (Gilliat 2018). One of these mills, in Perth, was steam-driven. A similar study of Kinross-shire might be of interest. Many of the bobbin mills in Perthshire served other functions before they started producing bobbins and shuttles for the textile industry. Greater research into these sites would be desirable.

Research Priorities

PKARF Agenda 8.74: Wider use of dendrochronology with the aim of creating a detailed tree-ring record for the region.

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PKARF Agenda 8.75: Research into how the sources and use of imported timber changed in Perth and Kinross over the course of the post-medieval period.

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PKARF Agenda 8.76: Research into how different technological developments affect woodworking in Perth and Kinross.

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Research Questions

PKARF Qu 8.104: What can we learn about timber supply from the application of dendrochronology to the region’s standing buildings?

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PKARF Qu 8.105: How does the introduction of new technologies impact woodworking in Perth and Kinross over the course of the post-medieval period?

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