caledonian bob

Dont know if its exactly what you'r after but it would be worth looking at Anquet maps. I've used them for 3 or 4 years & the new version can even be loaded onto a smart phone and used with GPS.

Sounds like a good excuse for a day out. I'll definately try to be there.

Where is the best place to buy one as I fancy giving one a try ?

I,ve done loads of work with a licenced bat handler ie climbing inspections (there aren,t many ecologists that can climb) and i,ve found many bats in trees. There are signs that you can look for when inspecting a tree but the best way if you are in any doubt is to get a climb inspection. Fines for destroying roosts can be fairly hefty. If anyone wants a good climbing ecologist pm me for details.

I'll give these guys in Hamilton a try. Any idea what their trading name is ?

Thanks all for your replys, I know some guys with large mulchers & tractor mounted, but didn't know any with bobcat mounted type. I'll give some of your suggestions a try.

south lanarkshire, Biggar/Lanark area

Did 6 Cherries last Saturday on a village green, pruned them by 15-20% and charged £380, nice job for a Saturday morning.

Does anyone know if I can hire a selfdrive or operator driven mulcher (bobcat mounted type) in Scotland ?

Found one on an Elm in South Lanarkshire. Used it for RFS ident

I would say go for it. I started doing my NPTCs at the age of 38 and did the RFS cert arb at 39. Started my own tree business shortly after. I was lucky when I was training as I met a guy with loads of experience who had run his own business and had also been head arborist for the Queen at Windsor. He is also an NPTC trainer and assessor. Picked up loads of work with him and also branched out (sorry for the pun) into bat work. Im now almost 43 and enjoying what I do. I have to admit that Im not as fastest climber but so what.