Fochaber's Studio

John Tully & the Fochaber's studio.
John Tully was born on 2 January 1862, the eldest son of Thomas Tully, a builder's carpenter in Fochabers, and his wife Anne Brand. Trained in his father's workshop, John developed the skills that would define his life's work. In 1880, at just 18, he joined the staff of Gordon Castle, where he served for nearly fifty years-beginning in the carpenters' shop and ultimately becoming Clerk of Works.
In 1905 he married Isabella "Dhuie" Russell, daughter of the renowned fish modeller John Russell. Together, John and Isabella continued and expanded her father's legacy, establishing the Fochabers studio as one of the most respected creators of carved wooden fish models in the world. Anglers from across the globe came to know their work: meticulously scaled replicas based on exact measurements, capturing the natural colours and proportions of each individual fish.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Gordon Castle and its famous stretch of the River Spey hosted anglers from around the world. The Duke of Richmond and Gordon arrived each autumn, and from 1 September to 15 October the celebrated waters produced some of Scotland's finest salmon fishing. Augustus Grimble wrote in The Salmon Rivers of Scotland that guests at the Castle aspired "to get into the smoking-room," where models of salmon weighing 40 lbs and above were proudly displayed. He noted: "These models of big fish are very cleverly done; one John Tully, carpenter, cuts out the wooden patterns, which are afterwards painted in a

John Tully & the Fochaber's studio.
John Tully was born on 2 January 1862, the eldest son of Thomas Tully, a builder's carpenter in Fochabers, and his wife Anne Brand. Trained in his father's workshop, John developed the skills that would define his life's work. In 1880, at just 18, he joined the staff of Gordon Castle, where he served for nearly fifty years-beginning in the carpenters' shop and ultimately becoming Clerk of Works.
In 1905 he married Isabella "Dhuie" Russell, daughter of the renowned fish modeller John Russell. Together, John and Isabella continued and expanded her father's legacy, establishing the Fochabers studio as one of the most respected creators of carved wooden fish models in the world. Anglers from across the globe came to know their work: meticulously scaled replicas based on exact measurements, capturing the natural colours and proportions of each individual fish.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Gordon Castle and its famous stretch of the River Spey hosted anglers from around the world. The Duke of Richmond and Gordon arrived each autumn, and from 1 September to 15 October the celebrated waters produced some of Scotland's finest salmon fishing. Augustus Grimble wrote in The Salmon Rivers of Scotland that guests at the Castle aspired "to get into the smoking-room," where models of salmon weighing 40 lbs and above were proudly displayed. He noted: "These models of big fish are very cleverly done; one John Tully, carpenter, cuts out the wooden patterns, which are afterwards painted in a

most life-like manner by Miss Russell, both artists residing at Fochabers."
Their craftsmanship placed the Fochabers studio alongside leading British makers of carved wooden fish trophies, such as P.D. Malloch of Perth, Hardy Brothers of Alnwick, and Farlow & Co. of London-the latter for whom the Tullys produced numerous models from customer-supplied measurements and photographs. Although wooden fish models appeared in Farlow's catalogues as early as 1891, mounted examples began to feature from 1908, with earlier specimens known from the late 1890s.
John and Isabella Tully-he carving the forms, she painting them with remarkable accuracy-produced hundreds of models between them. Their work transformed a local craft into an internationally recognised art form, securing Fochabers' place in angling history.
Adapted from the booklet 'Carved Wood Fish models' by Simon Brett.

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