Canadian Forestry camp revisited

Following the recent talk about the Canadian Forestry Corps in the area I thought it was time for another exploration of the local camp, Lovat No 1, Teanacoil. The walk to the sawmill passes a small pond on the way that looks man-made, but I don’t know if this is associated with the sawmill or not.

The accommodation block is still standing, but although I went inside for a few photos I didn’t stay long as it looks very unstable. I honestly don’t think I’d go inside if alone now, but with Neil there we hoped we’d be able to rescue each other!!

All that remains standing of the sawmill itself is the one concrete block wall

There is a trough structure (with what looks to be asbestos) close to the edge of the sawmill

And this concrete pipe with steps (rungs) inside.

Another structure of unknown use if this concrete ‘building’.

The concrete is only about less then one metre deep and there is a wooden frame with hinges for a door on the far side at the front. It appears to be a ramp behind but it does not go to the full height of the structure. The question is how old is the beech tree in the front left (right edge of photo)? I measured it as my arms span. A very rough estimate of age for beech = girth (at chest height) x 0.45,  in this case 150cm x 0.45 = 67 years. This gives a very rough estimate as 1944, but as the tree trunk is beginning to fork about chest height it probably gives a larger size than it would for a straight trunk, so it could conceivable have grown there post-war.

Another artefact is this old truck cab. The back of the truck is there too, but it is mainly a wooden structure and has fallen to bits.

I suppose many of the vehicles were put to good use by locals following the war, both as intact vehicles, then stripped down for spares.