With energy bills having soared, people across Tayside and Fife are looking for alternative ways to heat their homes.
Households are opting to use wood in fireplaces and fuel stoves to heat their homes.
An Angus firm that supplies groundcare machinery has reported its chainsaw sales have doubled in the past year.
Les Gammie, who runs Fofar business Gammies, said there has been a noticeable increase in non-industrial customers.
He said: “We reported a positive increase in sales figures this year, particularly our chainsaw sales, due to storms early in the year and the rising cost of oil and gas.
“The majority of our customer base is industrial and agricultural but it’s chainsaw purchases for personal use where we are seeing the biggest uptick.”
Mr Gammie added storms in the early part of the year also led to the sales rise.
Chainsaw sales double, but caution urged
Meanwhile, area sales manager Gordon Edwards said it was not surprising to see people turning to burning wood.
“Everyone is looking for cheaper ways to heat their homes,” he said.
“Burning wood is absolutely one of the most cost-effective ways in today’s financial climate.”
However, he urged caution among chainsaw users and said it is important they are properly looked after.
“With increased reliance on chainsaws, the need to look after them properly has increased too,” Mr Edwards added.
“Good chainsaws should work well for 10-20 years but this really depends on how much time and energy is invested into looking after them.
“It’s imperative that chainsaws are looked after properly to avoid any unwanted replacement costs.”
‘Safety is paramount’
The firm is running two clinics, on Saturday 12 and 26 November, at its Forfar base.
Each clinic, which is free to attend, will run from 8am to 12pm
“For new users, safety is paramount,” Mr Gammie added.
“We have the know-how and provide the best tips and tricks to avoid accidents and get the most from your chainsaw.
“We’ll be sharing all at the clinics.”
Gammes has over 50 years’ experience supplying products and services for horticultural, agricultural and groundcare tasks.
The firm, established in 1968, now has more than 25 staff.
Conversation