Royal Scottish Forestry Society
For those who love Scotland’s forests, woodlands and trees
Sharing knowledge, building skills, and inspiring sustainable forestry across Scotland.
We are an educational charity and membership organisation working across Scotland. We organise forestry field days and online events, open to all. For our members, we also provide skills workshops and publish the Scottish Forestry journal and a fortnightly news digest. We offer funding and grants to promote forestry learning and activities, and we nurture an engaged network of people who care for our forests.
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Ye may aye be sticking in a tree.
It will be growing when ye’re sleeping.
Scottish Forestry
Current Issue
This Summer 2026 edition, with its colourful cover by RSFS member Eleanor Harris depicting a woodland creation site in the Borders, carries two pairs of articles on pivotal subjects for forestry. First, the Scottish Land Commission and Scottish Land & Estates give their analyses of how recent land reform legislation will affect the sector. We also platform two proposals for how deer control could be managed better for woodland health. With our main scientific article on the properties of tree species mooted for future use we are also publishing a plain-English summary of the key points for forestry practitioners. As well as a full report from the RSFS Annual Study Tour, some astonishing ancient oaks, book reviews and regional field visits, we can report strange goings-on in Crofthead Forest involving microscopes, bacterial art and fungi wired up to synthesisers…
Explore Forestry
Cairngorms wildfire #1
A wildfire in the Cairngorms lasted more than 10 days in July, battled by firefighters at locations including Ballater. © Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Cairngorms wildfire #2
The Cairngorms wildfire damaged land including areas of woodland, and saw some Nethy Bridge residents evacuated as a precaution. © Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Cairngorms wildfire #3
Trees and moorland can be seen smouldering in this drone footage of the national park. Wetter, less windy conditions on 27 July aided firefighting efforts. © Cairngorms National Park Authority
Cairngorms wildfire #4
By 27 July 25 sq km of the Cairngorms had been affected by the fire. Volunteers provided bulldozers to create firebreaks, while helicopters carried out waterbombing. © Thurso Community Fire Station
Nae mounder
RSFS members enjoyed a visit to the Garrique in June to witness a new invention in operation: Nander Robertson’s Nae-Mounder is a faster, safer and greener approach to ground prep on restock sites. © Virginia Harden Scott
Nae mounder #2
RSFS members make their way downhill during their visit to witness Nander Robertson’s Nae-Mounder invention in action. © Cat Wilson
Climate planning
Forest Research Chief Scientist Bianca Ambrose-Oji and Head of Climate Change Science Gail Atkinson welcoming RSFS members to our Climate Change Planning workshop, which covered the latest research in drought and windthrow. © Cat Wilson
Affric kit
A beaver kit in Glen Affric. FLS and Trees for Life announced the first such births in the area in 400 years, with two healthy babies recorded in Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin. © Trees for Life.
Wee trees
Conservation Manager Sarah Watt at work on the Corrour Estate. Lochaber’s ‘wee trees’ – making up one of Scotland’s rarest habitats – are set for recovery thanks to funding from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, it was announced in July.
Featured event
Forest pests and diseases, and biosecurity – 17 september
This training day, in partnership with Forest Research, offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of forest pests and diseases that impact our woodland ecosystems. As climate change and global trade increase, recognising threats to tree health have never been more important for forestry professionals.
Inside RSFS
Meet some of our diverse members and keep up to date with our news.
Join the Royal Scottish Forestry Society to become part of our network and enjoy a range of benefits. We offer categories of student, individual and corporate membership.
Member Profiles
Meet more of our members.
Meet Angela Douglas, an RSFS member for over 40 years
Meet Sam Boley, an RSFS member for five years
Meet Shireen Chambers, an RSFS member for over 20 years
Meet Nander Robertson, one of our life members
Meet Ruth Forrester, who has been an RSFS member since 2023
News and views
For our latest news, members’ views and our bank of previous news items.
Trophies awarded for year’s outstanding articles in Scottish Forestry journal
Director’s update, summer 2026
Devotion to creating a new native riparian woodland
Workers reach breaking point as new report reveals quiet mental health crisis in forestry
Member blog: The Sunart rainforest deer cull incentivisation scheme 2025-26
Forestry Memories
The Forestry Memories Image Library was a manifestation of the partnership between the University of the Highlands and Islands Centre for History, Scottish Forestry, and the Scottish Forestry Trust, based on a wider research project into the social history of forestry in Scotland in the twentieth century.
