Royal Scottish Forestry Society

08/12/2025

SLE and SLC at loggerheads over land reform survey

Of 1,200 respondents, 96% want to see more land reform in Scotland, according to a Scottish Land Commission report - though a landowners group has said the figures show less support than claimed.

Those surveyed picked out forestry as an area where they had concerns, according to the report, which said: 'People called for earlier and more meaningful involvement in decisions, particularly around housing, renewable energy, forestry and large-scale investment projects. They want to be part of shaping their area’s future, not just reacting to change.'

Respondents also highlighted neglected woodland: 'Many described situations where a field, forest or derelict building had been unused for years, yet no one knew who was responsible for it. When ownership is unknown, they said, communities are left powerless to act or even to start a conversation.'

The SLC said people indicated they wanted to see change in aspectes including:

- Clearer, more accessible information about who owns land
- Concerns about concentrated ownership limiting opportunities
- Absentee ownership and the need for more accountability
- Earlier, more meaningful involvement in decisions about land use
- Frustration about derelict or neglected sites
- Interest in how tax could encourage fairer and more productive use of land.

However, Scottish Land and Estates argued that the same survey showed that 'political agendas on land reform and are out of step with public priorities', highlighting that only a quarter of respondents felt ownership was too concentrated.

SLC's findings are set out in a new report, Scotland Futures: What We Heard.

08/12/2025

Scores of Scottish NTG staff laid off by administrators

Fears for timber-related jobs have materialised after 169 workers across Scotland were made redundant by National Timber Group's administrators on 24 November.

The last edition of the RSFS e-News reported the company going into administration, and 561 people have now been confirmed to have been laid off across the UK.

Six Scottish sites have been closed in Dumbarton, Forfar, Newton Stewart, Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Administrators said they still hoped to sell the company but that the immediate redundancies had been necessary. The BBC and STV carried the story.

Six sites which were part of National Timber Group in Scotland have shut after the firm called in administrators

08/12/2025

Interested in gifting RSFS membership to a friend or loved one this Christmas?

To purchase a gift membership of the society, please take out a full individual membership (£84.10 per annum) using a credit card, and then provide us with the recipient’s details by email to [email protected]. We will then write to the person to confirm their gift membership and let you know it has been set up. You’re also welcome to include a gift message if you would like us to pass that on.

04/12/2025

** THINGS ARE CHANGING IN 2026

A new RSFS page will launch in the New Year.

The new page will be a community group for RSFS members only, and we hope it will become a place for discussion, ideas, advice and memories.

Over subsequent months this page on Facebook, which has been around now for about 10 years, will be retired and no longer active.

Keep checking in to find out when this change will take place and how to stay up to date with RSFS activity. Student annual membership is very reasonable and it's not expensive for the hard working public either.