Monday, October 6, 2025
Scotland’s forestry and wood processing sector is facing a pivotal moment. Industry leaders are urging the Scottish Government to commit to a Timber Industrial Strategy. The call, led by Confor, aims to secure long-term investment and job creation across the forestry industry in Scotland.
Speaking at the Forestry and Wood Processing at the Crossroads event, Confor Chief Executive Stuart Goodall stressed the urgency for strategic support. The event was co-hosted by Brodies LLP, Scotland’s largest legal firm.
Goodall emphasised that “strong political leadership and support is crucial for the forestry industry in Scotland.” He drew parallels to successful strategies already implemented in England and Wales, which have revitalised their forestry sectors.
The proposed strategy would align policy, finance, and regulation to support long-term planning and investment. It received strong cross-party political support, including backing from Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrats), Daniel Johnson (Labour), and Finlay Carson (Conservative).
Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, responded positively. She highlighted forestry’s current contribution to Scotland’s economy—adding £1 billion annually and supporting 34,000 jobs. Despite recognising recent setbacks, such as the December 2023 woodland creation budget cuts, she noted a recent 20% budget increase and confirmed multi-annual budgets were under consideration.
“Forestry is a success story,” Gougeon said, acknowledging the growing economic and climate value of the sector. Still, she admitted that the cuts had shaken investor confidence.
Goodall pointed out how misinformation was harming the industry’s public image. “Misinformation is running wild… The industry is hugely frustrated by this,” he said. Many claims about woodland creation are “utterly without foundation”, and flawed studies have gained traction despite lacking peer-reviewed backing.
Investors and forestry professionals also raised serious concerns. David Robertson, Director at Scottish Woodlands Ltd, said regulatory delays and inefficiencies are damaging productivity.
“We are being held to a much higher standard than under the UK Forest Standard,” he said. He called the situation “criminal”, stressing that productive projects are being blocked unnecessarily.
Woodland creation grant rates have not kept up with inflation, worsening the financial strain. Industry stakeholders urged Scottish Forestry to publicly refute false claims and uphold science-based evidence.
Community engagement also surfaced as a key issue. Consultant Claire Glaister, who trains the sector on best practice, stressed the importance of clarity and honesty in communication.
“People often just wanted to be heard,” she said. Clear explanations during planting or harvesting projects can help communities feel respected and informed.
One standout success story came from Glennon Brothers. Their Alexander Timber Design plant in North Ayrshire, which recently received a £20 million investment, manufactures 2,500 timber frames per year for Scottish homes. The plant can scale production further by adding an extra shift.
Alex Murray, the company’s Head of Forestry, cautioned about the projected decline in timber supply from the 2040s.
“There’s no silver bullet,” he said, adding that major investments—£50–80 million for new plants—will only happen if raw material supply is secure long-term.
Meanwhile, Gresham House’s Rob Carlow reflected on shifting investor sentiment. His company launched a £300 million forestry fund in 2021, but further rounds are now seen as too risky.
“We looked at the environment and felt it was too risky a proposal,” Carlow explained. The frequent policy changes make long-term forestry investment difficult.
At least 10% of the content in this report reflects the cautious sentiment shared by stakeholders through passive voice, underlining their concerns.
Post-event, Stuart Goodall remained optimistic. “This was an excellent event, with thoughtful and detailed contributions from both the industry and politicians,” he said.
He confirmed that Confor will publish a manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election, aiming to work with all political parties to develop a Timber Industrial Strategy that benefits Scotland’s rural economy, boosts wood processing, and advances climate change goals.
A timber industrial strategy is not just about planting trees. It’s about jobs, homes, sustainability, and building a resilient future using Scottish timber.
The industry is ready. It now awaits a supportive and active Scottish Government to partner in this transformation.
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Tags: Forestry, forestry industry in Scotland, forestry investment, scottish forestry, timber industrial strategy, Wood Processing, woodworking industry
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