Totem Pole
On Friday 28th August 2009 we took delivery of our very own specially designed and hand-carved totem pole. After almost a year of hard work, it was erected at Glengoyne Lodge where it will now look over the building.
This page tells the story of it - from a tall tree to an imposing eagle.
About 1950, a tree was planted in Kirroughtree Forest near Newton Stewart. A larch tree, it was specially selected from trees at Bruntis Loch, and donated to us by the Forestry Commission, to whom we owe many thanks.
Once delivered, the hard work really began! The bark had to be stripped off the tree, using a "peeling spade". The next stage was designing the animals and objects which would appear on the pole. It was decided to follow a Jungle Book theme with some Scouting objects added in. The work of carving the characters could then begin.
Once the pole itself was carved, the next stage was to construct the wings which were fitted later. These were carved from one piece of timber, and then worked until all the feathers on the eagle were defined.
Once all the carving and painting was completed, the pole could then be transported from Creetown to Auchengillan and its final destination. This took a considerable amount of effort - the pole is certainly not light!
A tilly bar and heavy mel were used to dig a hole big enough (through considerable roots and stones), and the pole was then put in place. Concrete was added around it for additional support, and it was left to dry overnight with some supports in place.
The totem pole now stands completed outside the Lodge. Can you remember how many animals are depicted on it?
Thanks must go to:-
Robert and Joyce Allan (the carver and designed respectively)
The Forestry Commission (Dumfries and Galloway)
