Heading out the door nice and early, samples in hand and a spring in my step, I was looking forward to the day ahead. I’ll admit there were a few nerves too, my first appointment was with the highly respected Mary Arnold Forster Architects and her team.
Based in Dunkeld, Mary Arnold Forster Architects have been at the forefront of modern architecture in Scotland since 2001. Their work has received wide recognition, including multiple awards and a shortlist place for the RIBA Northwest Award in 2004. Their architecture is thoughtful, landscape-led, and deeply connected to place, values that resonate strongly with us at Logie Timber.
Mary is also the publisher and editor of Alder Magazine, an annual architectural publication that truly breaks the mould. Alder explores not just buildings, but landscape, materials, ways of living, politics, and the natural environment. It’s as much for clients and makers as it is for architects and is a genuinely inspiring read for anyone interested in design and nature.
On arrival in the beautiful town of Dunkeld, my nerves quickly disappeared thanks to a warm welcome from Mary, followed by a cup of tea and an engaging conversation with her team. Their genuine interest in timber, and in what we do at Logie, made the meeting both relaxed and productive.
Looking around the studio, it was clear that Mary and her team have created some truly stunning buildings. Many of their projects are timber-clad and sit comfortably within their landscapes, always a pleasure to see. My job became easy as I worked through the samples: home-grown Scottish timber at its best. Douglas fir cladding, pine flooring, larch rainscreen, cedar shadow gap, and of course a wide range of Harwoods, each was well received and sparked thoughtful discussion around material choice and application.
I was especially delighted when James shared a model of a project he’s currently working on in Knoydart, West Scotland. The design may require pine and potentially other Scottish timbers, and it looked fantastic. We agreed that a visit to Logie would be invaluable for both James and the contractor, Rob Cant of Fort Builders, to gain a deeper understanding of how timber is milled and the full range of options available.
Not long after, James and Rob arrived at Logie, and we got straight into it. We talked in detail about the Knoydart project, the specific timber requirements, and the qualities of different species and their best uses. I showed them around — from our new Mebor sawmill, through processing, grading, kiln drying and planing, and into the hardwood department with Olly. We wrapped up in the office, reviewing the plans in more detail with the help of our Operations Manager, Angus, and collectively mapped out a positive way forward.
We’re hopeful Logie Timber can play a part in this project. It aligns perfectly with the shared values of Mary Arnold Forster Architects and ourselves, thoughtful design, respect for landscape, and making the most of Scottish home-grown timber.
All in all, a fantastic outcome from a first visit, and hopefully the beginning of a great collaboration. At Logie Timber, we’re proud to be doing what we do best:
cutting home-grown Scottish timber, right here in Scotland.
