799
	Norman Davidson
	1954

AG & WJ Riddoch Ltd staff social event in Keith

Photograph courtesy of Sandy Tough, Huntly.

AG and WJ Riddoch Ltd Annual party held at one of the Keith Hotels for senior staff, partners and office staff.

A. G. and W. J. Riddoch Ltd., wood merchants of Rothiemay, was established in 1841 by George Riddoch, grandfather of Alex and Willie Riddoch whose initials appear as the company name. George’s son (also called George) carried on the sawmilling business until in turn his sons took over around the early 1920s. It seems that in addition to felling and milling the timber, Riddochs also provided a planting and replanting service to the estates that they worked with.

Up to the 1950s and beyond the three sons managed the business (Wynes the youngest son joining the company after returning from Canada) with Alex the eldest responsible for the management of the harvesting, felling and planting operations. Willie was overall General Manager particularly following death of Alex in 1957 and Wynes was Commercial Manager.
Riddochs had a reputation for looking after their staff and although the salaries may not have been the highest they took an active interest in the welfare of their employees.

The following people are named as:
1. Willie Munro (Foreman - Strathdon)
2.
3. Wyness D Riddoch (Commercial Director)
4.
5.
6. Ella Macintosh (Clerkess at AR Watson Mill)
7. Donald Scott ( Planting and Fencing Foreman)
8. Mrs W Munro (Wife of No1)
9.
10.
11. AR Watson (Associate Member)
12. Willie J Riddoch (Managing Director)
13. Ian Richards (Planting, Fencing Manager)
14. Willie MacPherson (Area Manager)
15. Bill Loggie (Riddochs Office Staff)
16. Peter Milne (Office Manager)
17.
18. Alex Macdonald (Rothiemay Area manager)
19. Alex McIntosh (Buckie Area manager)
20. Ella Henderson (Riddochs Office Staff)
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30. Mrs W MacPherson (Wife of No 14)
31. John Morrison (Forres Area Manager)
32. Mrs T Woolridge (Wife of No 34)
33. Alex G Riddoch (Director)
34. Tom W Woolridge (Director)
35. Tom Beange (Elgin Area Manager)
36. Mrs P Milne (Wife of No 16)
37.
38.
39. Mrs T Beange (Wife of No 35)
40. Margaret Watt (Riddochs Office Staff)
41. Ivy Ewan (Riddochs Office Staff)
42. Mary Bremner (Riddochs Office Staff)
43. Amy Watt (Riddochs Office Staff)
44. Mrs W Loggie (Wife of No 15
45. Elizabeth McIntosh (Riddochs Office Staff)
46.
47. Margaret McEwan (Riddochs Office Staff)
48. Ella Henderson (Riddochs Office Staff)
49. ? (Over from Denmark)
50.
51.
52. Bill Thomson (Driver)
53.
54.

Any help to provide more information on names or correction of names would be greatly appreciated.

Picture Added on 04 January 2011.