WHAT CAN THE SCOTS PINE DO FOR SCOTLAND?

Home to equally iconic wildlife species such as capercaillie and red squirrels, Caledonian pinewoods have been the subject of intensive conservation and regeneration efforts over the past 40 years. Scots pine forests also provide an important opportunity to add value locally to timber products, particularly in house building and renewable energy, and to provide non-market benefits such as wildlife tourism.

Now, people with an interest in their woods and trees, the wood-using industries, nature conservation, tourism, and rural and community development will meet to explore just how much Scots pines contribute, and could contribute, to rural development.

The "Scots Pine and Rural Development" conference will be held on Friday the 1st and Saturday the 2nd October at the Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel, near Aviemore - on the doorstep of some of Scotland's most magnificent pinewoods. There are still places available at the conference.

Conference organiser Steve Smith, of Forestry Commission Scotland, said,

"The Scots pine is Scotland's only timber-producing native conifer tree. As such it makes a unique contribution to sustainable rural development through the production of high-quality timber as well as the provision of considerable environmental and social benefits to rural communities. The management of Scots pine woods has a large bearing on the provision and balance of these benefits, and this conference will explore the relationship between positive forest management and the contribution to sustainable rural development."

• Simon Pepper, Director of WWF Scotland - closing speech: looking to the future - a changing role for Scots pine;
• Andrew Thin, Convenor of the Cairngorms National Park Authority;
• Margaret Davidson of the Abriachan Community Woodland Trust, and Chris Piper of the Forres Community Woodland Trust - community values from Scots pine: case studies from Abriachan and Forres;
• Neil Sutherland, an architect who designs and builds exclusively in timber;
• Robin Callander of the Birse Community Woodland Trust;
• Sally Dowden of Speyside Wildlife - a case study of wildlife tourism; and
• Charlie Taylor, Tay Forest District manager for Forestry Commission Scotland, and Irvine Ross of The Ross Partnership, who will speak about current trends and future options for the silviculture of Scots pine in Scotland.

The afternoon of each day will comprise field visits to sites including Russwood Ltd (a local sawmill and joinery company), Inshriach Forest, Anagach Wood, Glenmore Forest Park research plots, the RSPB's Abernethy Forest Reserve and its osprey viewing facility at Boat of Garten, and Rothiemurchus Estate.

The conference fee is £35 per day, and there will be a conference dinner on the Friday evening, priced £17.95 per person. Representatives of community groups will be entitled to a significantly discounted rate. These fees need to be pre-paid using the booking form available on the website, www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

Accommodation is available at the Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel; delegates wishing to stay in the hotel should make their own reservations by phoning 01479 811811 or by e-mail through the hotel's website, www.hilton.co.uk

The conference is being organised by Forestry Commission Scotland and the Forest of Spey partnership. Further information is available from, and conference bookings should be sent to, Stella Magill, Highland Conservancy, Forestry Commission Scotland, Woodlands, Fodderty Way, Dingwall, Ross-shire IV15 9XB; telephone 01349 862144; fax: 01349 866624; e-mail: highland.cons@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Information and a booking form are also available on the website, www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. The total area of remnant, natural pine forest in Scotland was estimated to be about 18,000 hectares in 1999. They are believed to have reached their lowest extent about 1987, when it was estimated there were about 12,000ha - less than 1 per cent of their original area. In addition, Forestry Commission Scotland estimates that more than 50,000ha of new native pine forest (in mixtures of up to 50 per cent birch and other species) have been established since the late 1980s. (The total area of all forested land in Scotland is 1.35 million hectares.)
2. Forests of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris ) and associated species, such as birch and juniper, colonised large areas of Scotland, particularly the north of Scotland, after the last Ice Age ended about 10,000 years ago. They have since undergone a steady decline in extent and condition caused by a number of factors, including climate change and human activities such as felling for timber and to make way for grazing, agriculture and development. Grazing pressure from deer and sheep has meant that in many areas the forests have been unable to regenerate.
3. Pinewoods are important habitats for a number of wildlife species, such as capercaillie, black grouse, pine marten and Scottish crossbill.
4. Forestry Commission Scotland is part of the Forestry Commission and serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department. It manages more than 666,000 hectares of national forest land owned by Scottish Ministers for multiple benefits, including timber production, nature conservation and public recreation; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; and advises Ministers on forestry policy.
5. Forest Research is an agency of the Forestry Commission that carries out scientific research and technical development relevant to forestry.
6. The Forest of Spey partnership works for the protection and expansion of native forests in Speyside. Partners include Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, local landowners, Highland Council and Scottish Enterprise Badenoch & Strathspey.