A Scottish sawmill originally founded to provide timber for the mines is winding up after the family owners were unable to find a buyer for the business.
G&R Forbes, based at Airfield Sawmills in Errol, is selling all its equipment including a Stenner bandsaw, Bertrand twin band saw, Wadkin crosscut and Storti edger after retiring owners George and Robert Forbes tried unsuccessfully to sell the business as a going concern.
At its height, the sawmill was producing 30-50m3 of timber daily, supplying a range of businesses, including fencing manufacturers.
“I started with £100 and my brother had a small lorry,” said George Forbes. “We supplied timber for the mines.”
The business started in 1964 near Perth, with production also including bags of silver birch firewood. Spruce, Douglas fir and pine were the main species milled.
It then moved to its current site at a former Second World War airbase (used by Lancaster bombers) in 1979, where it owns a 200ftx57ft hangar.
A serious fire in 2005 destroyed the saw servicing shop.
An auction, to also include logs sawn timber and sleepers, will take place on August 21 at Airfield Sawmills and is hoped to raise a total of about £100,000.
