Videos
A selection of videos from throughout
100 years of forestry in Scotland.
A CENTURY IN THE FORESTS
George Stewart was a forest worker in the early days of the Forestry Commission. He witnessed some important turning points in the organisation’s history. George celebrates his 100th birthday in 2019.
His memories are a treasure trove of insights into the events of the past century. The Forestry and Land Scotland team had the great pleasure of speaking with George about his experiences, as he reflected on his years of service, and a life spent among the trees.
SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL TREE - THE SCOTS PINE
In 2015, Forestry Commission Scotland were involved in the process of helping to select Scotland’s National Tree. The majestic Scots Pine was chosen because it is a ‘pioneer’ species, very hardy, and able to adapt to many different climate and soil conditions.
The Scots Pine is also a long-standing resident of our beautiful forests, and a native of the once ancient Caledonian forests that used to cover Scotland. Nowadays, the Scots Pine is the only timber-producing conifer native to Scotland.
The video on the left tells the story of how FCS helped choose Scotland’s National Tree, while the video on the right tells the story of Scotland’s forests today, from commercial activity, to carbon capture, to the conservation of precious natural resources and native species.
CELEBRATING THE WOMEN’S TIMBER CORPS
Britain's first memorial to 5000 members of the Women's Timber Corps was unveiled in 2007 at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Aberfoyle, in the heart of central Scotland.
Women were recruited to the Women's Timber Corps (WTC) - part of the Women's Land Army - during World War Two and posted throughout Britain.
Many were sent to remote areas of Scotland, where they lived for months in spartan conditions, whilst they ensured that timber supplies were kept in steady supply, felling trees, loading lorries and sawmilling timber.
After the war, the WTC was disbanded in August 1946, and each member handed back her uniform and received a letter from HRH, Queen Elizabeth. The sculpture is an official recognition of their hard work and efforts during the war.
On the BBC's One Show, Tibby Scotland, Margaret Grant and Mary Weir relate their experiences in the Women’s Timber Corps.
For more photos, information and stories about the world-famous Lumberjills, explore our image gallery from the 1940s.
THE EVOLUTION OF FORESTRY TECHNIQUES
Three decades of rapid technological progress in forestry began after World War two, and continued throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s. More advanced methods were used side-by-side with traditional equipment and techniques throughout this period of rapid transition, especially during the post-war boom in planting, and the acquisition of forests.
Horses were used in forestry work right up until the end of the 60s, alongside more modern approaches. Even with the advent of all-terrain vehicles, the proliferation of new forest roads, and the development of hauling solutions and winches, sometimes the easiest technique was to use a horse and sledge. Even today, some trees are manually felled, although for the most part mechanised, automated forestry techniques have replaced traditional methods. The video on the bottom right shows how far techniques and technology had progressed by the 1970s.
Familiarising themselves with the new technology, forestry workers of the time would have had to be open to new processes and ways of working, constantly learning and up-skilling - much like workers in the digital economy today.
Footage of forestry operations in Dalavich Forest courtesy of Heritage North.
EXPLORING SCOTLAND’S FORESTS: 360 DEGREES
Recent advances in technology have allowed Forestry and Land Scotland to produce a series of films depicting all of the diverse wildlife, habitats, and activities in our forests in stunning, 360-degree HD.