Professional Forestry & Chainsaw Training
Built in the forest. Proven in the field. Patient, hands-on training backed by five generations and 35+ years of real commercial forestry experience.I'm Craig MacNeil — a fifth-generation logger and certified instructor based in Kielder Forest, Northumberland.
With over 35 years working in silviculture, arboriculture and commercial forestry, I bring real, hands-on experience to every course I teach. My approach is patient and practical: I take complex, real-world challenges and turn them into clear, manageable techniques.
The aim is simple — you should leave feeling safe, capable and ready for the next step in your forestry journey, whatever your starting point.
In the field — Kielder
Five generations of woodsmen — the same respect for the forest, brought into the modern era.
We set out to be the most welcoming and accessible entry point into forestry careers — patient guidance, real working conditions, and safety at the centre of everything.
New to the saw or the forest? You'll get patient, supportive instruction with no pressure — space to build genuine confidence and skill.
Training takes place in genuine working forest conditions in Kielder, so what you learn transfers straight to real-world commercial work.
Every course is built around current industry safety standards. We combine traditional forestry knowledge with today's best safety practice.
Craig's patience made all the difference. I came in nervous and left with my CS30/31 and real confidence on the saw.
First-class instruction in a proper working forest. The small group meant I got real hands-on time, not just standing and watching.
Booked my forwarder assessment with M5 — the most practical, no-nonsense training I've done in years. Highly recommended.
Get in touch to talk through your goals, check availability and book your place. One-to-one and small-group training across the year.