Planting for new UK productive forest gets underway

John Lamont MSP visited Larriston Farm to witness the start of planting work by Tilhill Forestry, with BSW Timber’s Hamish Macleod also in attendance to explain the importance of the investment to local industry.

“We need new forests like this to ensure a sustainable supply of timber for future generations,” said Mr Macleod.

“As a company, we are working to seek opportunities for better support and understanding for forestry in the wider land use context post Brexit and look forward to a thriving forestry and timber sector.”

“This type of ground was traditionally used for raising tough breeds of sheep, such as Blackface,” said Tilhill Forestry’s investment and property director Jason Sinden.

“However, in recent years, there has been a shift in production systems and we are now finding that many sheep farmers are raising their sheep on the lower ground. Because of this, increasing amounts of hill ground are becoming available for forestry.

“We can grow very high yields of timber on this type of ground and supply the timber processing mills throughout the region. When you work out the figures, it is a very attractive investment and, according to independent studies, it creates more jobs than alternative agricultural systems.”