Behind the Scenes: Renewable Heat for Timber Drying at Highland Heritage Woodworks

Renewable Heat at the Heart of Sustainable Timber Production

Highland Heritage Woodworks in Aberdeenshire is a business built on sustainability. From harvesting Scottish timber to producing high-quality sawn wood and bespoke joinery, every stage of their process reflects their “forest to front door” ethos.

To make their operations even more sustainable, Treco installed a woodchip biomass boiler system to provide renewable heat for their sawmill and timber drying kiln.

Sawmill Powered by Biomass

The new system provides consistent, renewable heat to support the precision drying of specialist timber on site. By switching to a biomass-based heating system, Highland Heritage Woodworks can use locally sourced woodchip, helping to close the loop between forestry, sawmilling, and energy generation.

The installation replaces fossil fuel use with a renewable source, turning the fossil fuel boiler into a carbon-neutral backup and aligning perfectly with the company’s focus on sustainable production and resource efficiency.

This biomass system provides reliable heat for their drying kilns all year round, helping maintain high-quality timber while keeping the energy source in harmony with the material itself.

A Shared Commitment to Sustainability

Highland Heritage Woodworks is Grown in Britain, FSC, and PEFC certified, demonstrating their commitment to responsible forestry and local supply chains. Their goal is to add value to Scottish timber while reducing the UK’s dependence on imported wood.

For Treco, this project represents the kind of collaboration that makes a lasting impact: renewable technology supporting a renewable material. It’s a clear example of how biomass systems can help sawmills and timber businesses cut carbon emissions, improve energy security and in the long term make full use of the circular economy.

Powering Local Timber with Local Energy

By using woodchip produced from local forestry operations, Highland Heritage Woodworks keeps energy costs under control while contributing to Scotland’s circular economy. The project also demonstrates how biomass heating can unlock new opportunities for small and medium-sized timber processors, from kiln drying to workshop heating and hot water.

For other sawmills, joinery workshops, or manufacturing sites with a steady demand for heat, a woodchip boiler offers an efficient and sustainable solution that can make the most of their existing by-products.

From Concept to Commissioning

Treco managed the full installation process, from design and equipment supply through to commissioning and training. The system now delivers reliable renewable heat to the site, helping Highland Heritage Woodworks grow their business sustainably.

As one of the UK’s most experienced biomass boiler specialists, Treco has worked on hundreds of projects across commercial, agricultural, and industrial sectors. Each system is designed around the client’s specific energy needs, whether that’s heating a sawmill with biomass, grain dryer, factory, or district heating network.

Watch the Project in Action

Highland Heritage Woodworks have documented the progress of their biomass installation and have kindly allowed us to share their videos. These show the system in action and offer valuable insight into the process and considerations when using biomass to heat a drying kiln.

Interested in using a biomass boiler for your drying kiln?

Get in touch with our team to discuss how a biomass boiler could work for your site.

Highland Heritage Woodworks https://woodworks.scot/