At Logie Timber, we’re big believers in continually investing in our team. The more knowledge and experience our staff gain, the stronger our business becomes — and the better service we can offer our customers.
Last month, that commitment to learning saw two members of our team, Olly (Head of Hardwoods) and Rob (Sales Manager), hit the road before dawn and head south through snow-covered roads to attend the ASHS AGM in the Borders.
Who Are ASHS?
The Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers (ASHS) is a cooperative of small to medium-sized businesses supplying Scottish hardwoods and premium softwoods throughout the UK. As members of ASHS, we value the chance to meet like-minded makers, millers, and woodland managers who are just as passionate about Scottish-grown timber as we are.
This year’s AGM, held near Jedburgh, brought together around 50 delegates from across Scotland for two days of mill tours, workshops, forest walks, and sharing ideas.
Day One: Real Wood Studios & Caledonian Log Homes
Real Wood Studios
The first stop was Real Wood Studios, a uniquely structured cooperative bringing together furniture makers, a sawmill, a timber merchant, and a collectively managed workshop all under one roof.
It was great to meet the full group of delegates here and start the day with a detailed tour of their mill. Olly and Rob were especially excited to see their newly purchased Trakmet sawmill — a newer, slightly more advanced version of the very machine Mark and Alec started Logie Timber with back in 2017 (and which still runs daily at our yard). Hearing how much this upgrade has boosted their production was inspiring.
From there, the tour moved into the timber store and workshop spaces, where the cooperative model really shines. Skilled makers hire time on the machines, buy timber directly from the mill, and create exceptional pieces of handcrafted furniture. The standard of craftsmanship impressed both Olly and Rob, and it was inspiring to see such a successful community of artisans working collaboratively.
Caledonian Timber & Caledonian Log Homes
The next visit of the day could not have been more different , but just as impressive.
Caledonian Log Homes, led by Chris Houston, specialises in building some of Scotland’s finest log cabins using traditional overscribe techniques Chris learned in Canada, before honing his craft in France, Austria, and New Zealand. He established the company in 2011, and it has been growing from strength to strength ever since.
As Olly and Rob approached the site, the first sight to greet them was a breathtaking row of massive Douglas fir logs, draw-knifed, shaped, and ready to be numbered for transport to their final location.
Inside the mill, activity was in full swing. The team were introduced to yet another Trackmet mill, but this time a super-sized version capable of handling 10-metre logs. Seeing the scale, precision, and dedication that goes into crafting these log homes was a brilliant insight into a very different side of Scottish timber production.
Chris and his team were incredibly generous with their time, sharing knowledge, answering questions, and offering an honest look at the passion that drives their work.
After a long and inspiring first day, Olly and Rob headed back to their hotel with plenty to think about, and excited for day two.
Day Two: Abbey Timber & a Walk Through Winston Estate
Abbey Timber
The second day began with another crisp, cold morning and a visit to Abbey Timber, a family-run mill involved in the entire lifecycle of their timber, from trees grown on their own land right through to the finished product.
The group was welcomed by Willie and his daughter Eleanor, who is gradually taking over the reins after Willie’s lifetime of building the business. Their passion for the full circle of forestry, planting, managing, milling, and selling, was immediately clear.
The site offered a great mix of traditional and modern machinery, including a smaller version of Logie Timber’s own Mebor saw, and the tour concluded with a walk through the forest. Here, the delegates saw first-hand the impressive regeneration work undertaken after major storms hit the area several years ago. The recovery and new management approaches were fantastic to see.
Afterward, the group was invited to Willie’s home for lunch. Even the short walk revealed heritage everywhere, including the original sawmill buildings from the 1800s, once powered by a waterwheel. Inside the house, beautifully crafted features such as bespoke flooring, kitchen worktops, windowsills, and mantles showcased how timber from the estate had been used throughout.
Winston Estate Forest Tour
The final stop of the trip was Winston Estate, where the group explored a forest managed under alternative woodland techniques. The aim here is to reduce the impact of traditional management practices while increasing species diversity, including hemlock, Douglas fir, and cedar, with a long-term plan of milling the timber on-site.
It was clear how much care has gone into this project over many years, and the forest is now enjoyed not just for timber production but by the wider community of walkers, runners, and cyclists.
Heading Home – Full of Ideas and Inspiration
After two packed days, Olly and Rob made the journey back up the A9 with their heads full of new ideas, fresh perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the incredible range of work happening across Scotland’s sawmills, workshops, and woodlands.
Trips like this are invaluable, not just for professional development, but for strengthening the connections that make the Scottish timber community so special. We’re proud to be part of ASHS, and even prouder of the passion our team brings to continually learning, sharing, and growing within our industry.
