As part of a fresh drive to conserve the rich historic environment found within Scotland’s woodlands and forests, new guidance published today will ensure owners are better placed to preserve them.
Many sites of historic significance, including historic buildings, ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and designed landscapes, are often located or unearthed amongst woodlands, which cover 17 per cent of the country.
For this reason, woodland owners and managers are being targeted with a new one-stop route map that details all the information and advice sources necessary to help conserve historic environment sites.
On launching the new publication, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said:
“Our forests and woodlands are a vital element of the rural economy, providing jobs, business opportunities and an important boosts to tourism through recreation. There is a need to balance these priorities with the protection and conservation of our historic environment.
“In many cases, precious archaeological sites, ancient trees and historic landscapes have survived through the actions of successive land managers. Sometimes this is intentional and on occasion it is by accident. It is by good fortune that the natural inclination of most land managers is to leave any findings and then seek guidance.
“The information and advice that is being published today provides a comprehensive tool for woodland managers to better understand their responsibilities and take action to protect our historical heritage.”
To prepare this resource, Forestry Commission Scotland joined forces with Historic Scotland, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, Archaeology Scotland, the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers, and the Garden History Society in Scotland. To help them, the group commissioned Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, who delivered this guide after some six months intensive work.
The publication Historic Environment Information & Advice for Woodland Managers in Scotland provides details on historic environment designations, relevant legislation, national, regional and local information sources, all in the context of the policy and regulatory framework for forestry.
For a copy of the document log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/histenvpolicy.
Notes to news editors
1. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry directorate and manages the 665,000 hectare national forest estate. The Commission has previously produced guidance for handling archaeological sites and technical advice on planting around historical sites of interest.
2. Media enquiries to Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6508.