Strange Request - I need some help...

[Gregory Hardy]

Hello, all. Though I am not really too particular about whoever it is that might be able to help me, I think this is really a request to those of you living in Scotland.

I am getting ready to start a themed custom fountain pen, and I would like to work with wood that is native to Scotland, and as far to the northwest as possible. Ideally, I would like something from the Outer Hebrides. Think "coastal western Scotland" as you consider whether or not you might have some wood blank material you would be willing to sell and ship to the US.

This is one of those cases where provenance is more important than wood species. I would prefer a hardwood, and I would prefer dark and some grain figure...but who wouldn't?!

If you have something in your cache in the shed that might fit the bill, please drop me a PM here. Thanks for taking the time to read. I know this is probably a taller order than is reasonable, but it never hurts to ask questions.

Thanks again!
Best regards-
-Greg

 

[martin.pearson]

I am at the wrong end of the County living in the South East lol but quick question, how dark is Dark? One thing I find difficult to obtain is really dark wood. Scotland doesn't seem to have any native spieces that I know of that are really dark, Elm is probably about the darkest I have encountered but the colour of elm seems to vary a lot & finding dark coloured wood is not so easy.
I am fairly new to woodworking so there may be spieces that I haven't come across but as far as I know the local sawmill where I buy the majority of my wood carries the majority of Scottish grown woods so I am basing this on what I have seen there.

 

[yorkshireman]

Phil Dart lives in the highlands, he may be able to help

 

[Phil Dart]

Your request is "native to Scotland" which I'm afraid narrows the field to a small handful of species, none of which are dark, or particularly interesting. "Grown in Scotland" , if you can accommodate that, would widen the field considerably, but it's true to say that most British species are light in colour.

 

[Dalboy]

If you can't find any how about trying to find some Oak from Scottish Whiskey distilleries. The wood may not be Scottish but at least the Whiskey is

 

[KevinMc]

Have you perhaps tried these guys?

Highland Woodturning Club - Promoting the art and craft of woodturning in the Scottish Highlands

Maybe some wood from a historic building on the island might work?? Eat some of the members have saved some at some point....

Kevin

 

[Gregory Hardy]

I suppose that "native" is not as important as "grown there." I really would like something from the person who harvested the wood, and for that person to be able to say, "This came from the coastal village of ______," or from the Isle of ______." I can certainly stain or dye wood. The theme of the pen will be around the legend of selkies, hence the interest in a coastal timber...

 

[Gregory Hardy]

Have you perhaps tried these guys?

Highland Woodturning Club - Promoting the art and craft of woodturning in the Scottish Highlands

Maybe some wood from a historic building on the island might work?? Eat some of the members have saved some at some point....

Kevin

I have not tried them, but certainly will investigate. Thanks, Kevin!

 

[KevinMc]

Arrrr that should have said BET some of the members have saved some at some point

 

[Penpal]

Have you perhaps tried these guys?

Highland Woodturning Club - Promoting the art and craft of woodturning in the Scottish Highlands

Maybe some wood from a historic building on the island might work?? Eat some of the members have saved some at some point....

Kevin

From the examples on the Highland Club there are dark timbers so a contact with people like them should yield results especially if you do a reciprocal effort from out your way timbers in exchange. Makes the world go round so well.

Peter.

 

[martin.pearson]

From the examples on the Highland Club there are dark timbers so a contact with people like them should yield results especially if you do a reciprocal effort from out your way timbers in exchange. Makes the world go round so well.

Peter.

Peter good bet those darker timbers aren't native or grown in Scotland, one of the links is to a Company called Reid timber who while being in Scotland seem to carry a fair bit of exotic hardwood which I very much doubt was grown in Scotland

 

[Gregory Hardy]

From the examples on the Highland Club there are dark timbers so a contact with people like them should yield results especially if you do a reciprocal effort from out your way timbers in exchange. Makes the world go round so well.

Peter.

That is true, and wise, and kind. I reached out to the Secretary. Seems like a good bunch. Trading things across the sea seems best. I offered money, but I hope in my heart that I meet a new friend who wants some wood from my part of the world. I extend the same to you, Peter, just for the good of the order. Send a PM when you are ready, mate.

 

[wm460]

I suppose that "native" is not as important as "grown there." I really would like something from the person who harvested the wood, and for that person to be able to say, "This came from the coastal village of ______," or from the Isle of ______." I can certainly stain or dye wood. The theme of the pen will be around the legend of selkies, hence the interest in a coastal timber...

"This came from a cold wet miserable place not fit for human habitation, commonly known as Pomgolia." :Toothless_Chuckle: