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Moray forest hosts historic re-enactment


By Staff Reporter

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A MORAY woodland was the location for a historic tree planting to mark 100 years of public forestry.

Serving and retired foresters were joined at Monaughty, near Pluscarden, yesterday by Lord Lovat, Simon Fraser, and Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, to plant a tree commemorating the centenary of the foundation of the Forestry Commission.

The event mirrored the planting in the same forest of the first Commission tree in Scotland by Simon Joseph Fraser, the 14th Lord Lovat who was the body's first chairman.

Guests gather at Monaughty Forest for the historic reenactment including Fergus Ewing (left) and Lord Lovat (third from left).
Guests gather at Monaughty Forest for the historic reenactment including Fergus Ewing (left) and Lord Lovat (third from left).

Lord Lovat said: "It was a pleasure to be here to help recreate the events of 1919 when the first Forestry Commission trees in Scotland were planted.

"It is ironic that the Forestry Commission, established immediately after the world emerged from one global catastrophe will, in its latest incarnations, play such an important role in addressing our 21st Century global catastrophe – that of the climate emergency.

"This tree planting today will help in the ongoing effort to raise awareness of forestry's currency, relevance or standing and to enrol the support of people from all walks of life in planting more trees."

Mr Ewing added: "Forestry in Scotland has never played such an important role in sustaining livelihoods, communities, habitats and species and in delivering so many other environmental, social and economic benefits.

"Marking this centenary today is a gesture of thanks both to the far-sighted people who established the Commission and to the generations of foresters – men and women – who have planted, nurtured and developed Scotland’s forests and woodlands over the past century."

Among those in attendance was retired Forestry Commissioner, George Stewart, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday.

Former Forestry Commissioner George Stewart (left), who turns 100 on Thursday, and Nander Robertson, the president of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society.
Former Forestry Commissioner George Stewart (left), who turns 100 on Thursday, and Nander Robertson, the president of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society.

Commission staff were joined by colleagues from Forestry and Land Scotland and from the Royal Scottish Forestry Society (RSFS).

RSFS President Nander Robertson stated: "It was members of the society who, recognising the need for a forestry service, joined with others to successfully lobby government for the creation of what became the Forestry Commission.

"Lord Lovat was a past president of the society.

"It is fitting that the society which played a leading role at the beginning should be joining in the celebration of what has been a huge success story, with state and private sectors increasing the UK woodland cover from less than 2 per cent in 1919 to over 15 per cent today."

A similar event took place at Eggesford in Devon, where current chair of the Commissioners, Sir Harry Studholme, planted a tree to mark the occasion when in 1919 Lord Clinton won the race with Lord Lovat to plant the first FC trees in Britain.


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