The Orchardbank-based timber merchant, which shut suddenly last month with staff made redundant, will reopen in mid-January under its existing name. Workers who lost their jobs have been offered the chance to return, with Beatsons pledging to “retain the skilled team” and invest in stock, facilities and service.

Orchard Timber’s Livingston branch will also reopen, meaning around 50 staff will be employed across the two sites. The company has been a main sponsor of Forfar Athletic FC since 2006, making its revival a boost for both the local economy and community.

John Marshall, chairman of Beatsons, said: “We are delighted to welcome Orchard Timber Products into the Beatsons family. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategy to expand our geographic reach and broaden our product offering. Orchard Timber’s expertise and established customer relationships make them a perfect fit, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth.”

Wider closures across Scotland

While the Forfar and Livingston reprieve offers hope, the collapse of parent company National Timber Group has left a heavy toll across Scotland.

Administrators Alvarez & Marsal confirmed that more than 200 jobs have now been lost following the closure of 11 Scottish sites.

Six branches shut last month in Dumbarton, Forfar, Newton Stewart, Edinburgh (Hawkhill), Anniesland and Stirling.

A further five sites – in Coatbridge, Baldovie, Inverness, Inverurie and Glasgow – closed last week, with 33 jobs lost.

Another 11 roles were cut at previously closed sites in Dumbarton, Forfar and Grangemouth.

National Timber, which operated 25 Scottish locations and employed 1,200 people across the UK, had faced “liquidity challenges” before entering administration in late November.

Administrators said offers had been received for some sites but not for the business as a whole, making further redundancies unavoidable.

A statement read: “We have received offers for a number of the group’s sites, but not for the whole business. As a result, it has been necessary to make further redundancies in the branches where we have received no offers for a sale.”