The forest industry in Scotland
Forestry plays a key role in Scotland’s economy. Activities include the planting, managing and harvesting of forests as well as downstream activities such as sawmilling, producing pulp, paper and board, and manufacturing of higher value goods.
Many rural communities rely on forestry jobs as a vital element in their local economy. The industry has close links with the chemicals and machinery sectors. Forestry also plays a significant role in the tourism industry with many forests available for walking, cycling, riding and fishing.
Key statistics
- Forests cover 16 per cent of Scotland's land area.
- Most of the timber resource is found in Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, Tayside, Forth Valley, Argyll, Grampian, and the Highlands and Islands.
- Scotland accounts for 60 per cent of the British conifer harvest (4.8 million cubic metres)
- Scottish sawmills produce 42 per cent of British lumber production.
- The next largest softwood user is the wood-based panels sector, which, together with the pulp and paper sector, account for over 55 per cent of total roundwood consumption in Scotland.
- There are panel/board manufacturers in Inverness and near Stirling, and paper manufacturers in Ayrshire.
- Although the production of softwood dominates the industry, there is a significant amount of hardwood production taking place in Scotland.
- By 2016 the supply of softwood in Scotland will exceed 8.4 million cubic metres - a doubling of the existing harvest.
- The Scottish Forest Industries Cluster is in a unique position, as Britain imports 90 per cent of its paper; almost 80 per cent of its lumber; and a third of its wood-based panel consumption.
- Currently the annual cost of these imports is £6 billion.
- There are clear opportunities for import substitution and additional job creation with minimal displacement.
- Imports could be reduced by over one fifth, with Scotland benefiting from a transfer of £1.5 billion and 3,000 additional jobs.
- New markets are developing for biomass energy projects and there are already examples of biomass power generation associated with sawmill residues in the Highlands and Islands.
Forestry Commission
To access statistics for the UK forest industries, visit the Forestry Commission website.
Research
Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI)
SCRI aims to:
- increase knowledge in the basic biological sciences;
- improve crop quality and utilisation via conventional and molecular genetical techniques and novel agronomic practices; and
- develop environmentally benign methods of protecting crops from depredations by pests, pathogens and weeds.
To learn more about these research programmes, visit the Scottish Crop Research Institute website
The Macaulay Institute
The Macaulay Institute aims to be an international leader in research on the use of rural land resources for the benefit of people and the environment.
To learn more and obtain research reports, visit the Macaulay Institute website