Forestry: Glenmore Forest Park pictured through the years

At the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Glenmore was purchased from the Duke of Gordon in 1923, only four years after the establishment of the Forestry Commission. 

READ MORE: Foresters past and present come together to mark 100 years of Glenmore

Since its entry into public forestry, it has experienced all of the changes in the sector, including the early years of forestry expansion, the decades of technological and sociological change, and – over the past 40 years – the balancing of commercial concerns with conservation.

Wood cutters at Carr Bridge in 1925 (Image: Ian MacInnes)

Amid a range of celebrations (including a recent gathering of foresters past and present), here is a look back at the recent history of the park and some images from the first 100 years of public ownership. 

1935

Glenmore was given the name “Queen's Forest” to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George and Queen Mary.

1938 

Aberdeen University was presented with a giant log illustrative of the timber formerly grown in the ancient forest of Glenmore. The log had lain in Gordon Castle for more than 130 years and still bore the brass plaque fixed to it when presented to the Laird in 1806.

Canadian Forestry Corps at Marr Lodge in around 1943 (Image: Ian MacInnes)
1951

The number of overnight stays at the camping ground was recorded as 19,200.

Mikel Utsi and reindeer in 1956 (Image: Mary Ferguson)

1960 

A major blaze started by a cigarette set fire to Glenmore and Rothiemurchus. Fire crews from Inverness, Dingwall and Fort William were in attendance and were assisted by nearly 200 volunteers from Aviemore and neighbouring villages. In total, 314 acres of the Queen’s Forest were destroyed and almost 1000 acres of Rothiemurchus.

1971

Pollen samples from 4,000 BC, taken from sediment from Loch Morlich, showed that the main tree pollen type was pine, confirming local traditions that Loch Morlich lay within the area of ancient Caledonian forest.

1974 

Bathymetric Survey of Loch Morlich undertaken by West Park Secondary School, South Shields,  described the loch as relatively shallow at 10 metres, although there is a deeper section closer to the Forest Park campsite of up to 12 m.

Fort Augustus slide – circa 1975 – indicative of campsites on forestry land (Image: FLS/Supplied)

1978

The Cairngorm bridge over the Allt Mhor River was washed away and replaced the following year by a new structure, built by 50 apprentices from HMS Caledonia. This in turn was replaced in 2020.

The flag was found in an unused storage area and, in old Forestry Commission colours, could date back to the era of King George (Image: FLS)

1984 

First sled dog rally was held in Glenmore – an event that still takes place every January.

1994

Core samples taken from some of the Scot pine trees at Ryvoan Pass found an age range from 40 years to 305 years.

2003 

30th anniversary of unveiling of Kompani Linge memorial stone

Visit of 92-year-old Joachim Ronneberg who laid a wreath at the Kompani Linge (Image: FLS/Supplied)

2012 

Visit of 92-year-old Joachim Ronneberg, who laid a wreath at the Kompani Linge memorial stone at the Glenmore Visitor Centre. Joachim trained in Glenmore during the war and famously took part in the raid against the Norsk Hydro production plant in Vemork Norway in 1943.

2022 

Ten-year land management plan marked the start of a 50-year vision to transform the Glenmore Queen’s Forest into a native pinewood forest.