Steep-ground trees used in log-cabin build

Specialist construction company, Bedrock Buildings, is preparing the logs at its workshop and is anticipating beginning work in the early summer to construct the building on a plot of land in the village of Tomich.

The log work (peeling, scribing cutting and assembly) takes place mostly in the workshop and yard, ahead of a short (2-3 day) assembly on site after which the roof, floors and windows are all added.

While the vast majority of FLS timber is sold to a limited number of major sawmillers, who have extensive buying powers, these logs have been supplied to Ross Balharry, owner of Bedrock Buildings as part of FLS’s ‘local marketing strategy’. 

The strategy allows FLS to engage with SME’s and craftspeople such as furniture makers, who are looking for special timber in small quantities and who would otherwise struggle to purchase timber in the volumes FLS would usually market. 

Speaking about the project, Graham Godsman, Marketing and Sales Business Manager at Forestry and Land Scotland, said: 

“This is the type of initiative that FLS will be looking to support through a future local marketing strategy; it’s important we reach out to small and medium sized businesses who may not have the capacity or resources to compete for large scale contracts or who may require to purchase niche products and species from us.” 

Ross Balharry, who founded Bedrock Buildings in 2001 after building his first log cabin with his brother, thanked FLS for going the extra mile and being interested in what he is hoping to achieve.

Ross explained; 

“Working with FLS and Calum Duffy has been great: knowing that the requirement was a bespoke order, for log cabin construction, they helped to find practical solutions throughout, from order to cutting spec, purchase and collection.

“I was given an opportunity to view and select logs at the felling site, allowing for detailed assessment and measuring up, prior to purchase. This was a huge benefit for me with regards to planning and logistics.

“The current project is a log house for my mother, - a modest 100m² 1 bedroom build, with mezzanine floor and large veranda. We are still at the beginning of our journey but hope to have four full time employees by the end of the year and aim to construct 2-4 projects like this a year.”