Forestry firm flourishing at 50 years

A leading Scottish forestry management company has marked its 50th birthday by planting a “celebration woodland” of 50 new trees on the grounds of long-standing client Crieff Hydro.

Scottish Woodlands has also increased its profits by 20% in its landmark year.

It was established as a cooperative and has developed significantly in the last two decades.

Now a major player in the British forestry and timber industry, it delivers more than one million tonnes of timber per annum into UK sawmillers, mostly from sites in Scotland, and plants in excess of 25% of private sector new woodland expansion.

The largely employee-owned business reported a turnover up by almost £1 million to £70.36m in the year to September 2016, with profits up 19.77% to £1.57m.

Chairman Tom R Bruce-Jones said: “The Brexit vote and US election result have created uncertain macro conditions which could impact for a long period of time.

“The strengthening of the euro after Brexit has, however, made domestic processors more competitive.

“Politically (in Scotland), there appears to be a focus on new planting and restocking and it is hoped this impetus will continue as well as providing the platform for stronger investor confidence in forestry.”

Managing director Ralland Browne helped to plant the celebration woodland with resort operations director Russell Crighton.

He said: “I have been planting trees at Crieff Hydro for almost 30 years – and won a forestry award for my work there back in 1991.

“The company’s relationship with Crieff Hydro goes back well beyond then, and I estimate that we have planted at least quarter of a million trees here.

“Crieff Hydro has been a great client and it was the natural place to plant the celebration woodland – and to host our annual meeting.”

The company also marked its 50 years by publishing a book, The Wood and the Trees: A History of Scottish Woodlands Ltd and its People.

Around half of Scottish Woodlands’ 140-plus staff own shares in the firm.

Picture: Andrew O’Brien. Ralland Browne, left, planting the trees at Crieff Hydro with Russell Crighton.