The sawmill opened in 1962 and primarily serves the Scottish market, but also exports to Australia and New Zealand.

It was rebuilt in 1991, and Charles visited eight years later when he was Prince of Wales, which some workers remembered.

Company chairman Tom Bruce-Jones, whose father welcomed Charles in 1999, replied back to the monarch and joked it was “too expensive”.

Charles said: “Well done everybody thank you very much for all the efforts you made.

“Thank you for dealing with some of the Balmoral timber.”

“Whether I will be able to come back in another 24 years, I don’t know if I will be around.

“I hadn’t realised what an area you cover around the world, it depends on all the marvellous people who put so much into it.”

During his visit, King Charles was introduced to the site manager, primary processing manager and saw-line operator at the five-generation firm.

He also unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit, which was made on-site, and signed the visitor book.