RHONA BRANKIN RETURNS AS FORESTRY MINISTER FOR SCOTLAND

Ms Brankin previously served as Forestry Minister in the Scottish Executive in 2000 and 2001. During that period she launched the first Scottish Forestry Strategy, which is now undergoing its first five-yearly review, and before that she served as Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport.

Ms Brankin replaces Lewis Macdonald, who has taken over her previous post as Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care.

A graduate of Aberdeen University, Ms Brankin has previously been a teacher and a lecturer on special educational needs. She is married with two grown-up daughters, and outside politics she enjoys music, horse riding and outdoor pursuits.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The post of Forestry Minister in the Scottish Executive is officially known as Deputy Minister for Environment & Rural Development. The Scottish Executive is the name of the devolved government of Scotland, and Forestry Commission Scotland, part of the Forestry Commission, serves as the Executive's forestry department.

MEDIA CONTACT: Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, 0131 31 6508