Details of who we are funded by, how we are managed and governed, and how we are structured. For contact details please see the contact us section.
Who are we?
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) was created on 1 April 2003 as a result of the Forestry Devolution Review. We serve as the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government, advising on and implementing forestry policy and managing the national forest estate.
- The Forestry Minister is Roseanna Cunningham MSP.
Mission statement
Our mission is to protect and expand Scotland's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment.
Funding and direction
We are funded by the Scottish Parliament and directed by Scottish Ministers through our Board of Commissioners and our National Committee for Scotland.
Working with the Scottish Government
We work with the Scottish Government to deliver the Scottish Forestry Strategy. We also contribute to many aspects of wider Scottish Government policy such as energy, environment and climate change, biodiversity, healthy living, rural transport, tourism and education.
We are also a partner in Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services (SEARS).
Our management
- The Forestry Commission Scotland Management Board oversees our business systems and administration, and our relationships with other organisations and stakeholders.
- We have five conservancies which carry out our regulatory and grant support functions around Scotland. They provide advice and information on forestry to woodland owners.
Forest Enterprise Scotland
- The National Forest Estate is managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES), which is part of FCS. Forest Enterprise Scotland's Management Board (FESMB) gives strategic direction and leadership to the Scottish Forest Districts. View details of the FESMB and minutes of their meetings.
- FES works to a framework document (PDF 126k), revised May 2008.
- The strategic plan for the National Forest Estate sets out FES's strategy for managing the National Forest Estate.
- The 10 Forest Districts manage and maintain Scotland's woods and forests. Their tasks include planting, forest design, marketing timber and providing facilities and access for the public. The recreation framework sets out priorities for managing recreation on the national forest estate.
Related documents
An indicative allocation of the Forestry Commission Scotland funding from the Scottish Government for 2008-09 through to 2010-11 is on the Spending Review 2007 - position for forestry page.
A review of land managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland was carried out in 2004 and its recommendations accepted by Scottish Ministers.
Our structure
Our organisational structure is illustrated in the Forestry Commission Scotland structure chart (PDF 1.6Mb).
Advisory Bodies
We co-ordinate the Scottish Forestry Forum and five Regional Forestry Forums. The forums advise us on a broad range of forestry matters.
We are also supported by a Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) whose role is to adjudicate on disputed applications for grants or felling licenses and in disputes by statutory bodies arising from Forest Enterprise Scotland design plans.
