Aberdeenshire-based Highland Heritage Woodworks (HHW) has received a crucial boost from Scottish Forestry, securing £33,000 in grant funding to support the expansion of its sustainable, high-quality Scottish timber production.

The funding, provided through the Harvesting & Processing Grant, contributed towards the costs of installing a new biomass-powered 60m³ lumber drying kiln and a handheld timber grading machine.

Based on the Dunecht Estate, HHW specialises in precision-cut Scottish timber, bespoke carpentry, and high-end wooden cabins, having built a strong reputation for championing home-grown wood from sustainably managed forests across north-east Scotland.

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CEO of HHW, Guy Phillips, welcomed the investment, stating it has been "great news" for the business, allowing them to provide a unique Scottish alternative to imported European timber. The new equipment has helped the company grow its team and significantly increase its capability to process locally sourced larch, Douglas fir, spruce, and pine.

By grading and drying its own timber, HHW is able to supply structurally graded softwood to local construction companies and carpenters, as well as its own internal team. This vertical integration strengthens its supply chain, supports local employment, and adds value to locally grown timber.

John Mackie, Scottish Forestry's Operations Manager for the Grampian region, highlighted the impact of the grant: "This project demonstrates how, with some modest funding, local enterprises can create new opportunities in the timber supply chain, strengthen the rural economy, and make the most of Scotland's outstanding forest resources."

HHW has grown its highly skilled team from three employees in 2021 to 12 by the end of 2025 and plans to increase staff numbers to around 20 over the next 12 to 18 months as its operations expand.