Site Visit: James Jones & Sons Ltd [Sustainable Land Management Connectors]

What does a ‘commercial’ forest look like? At Crofthead, planted in 2018, forester Andrew Macqueen has re-written the rulebook and inspired foresters across Scotland and beyond.

A graduate in Forestry from Aberdeen University, Andrew spent nearly ten years with a large company before setting up his own business to focus greater attention on diverse species and silvicultural systems. Winner of the 2020 UK Future Forestry Leader Award, Andrew is leading a movement within forestry to reduce polarisation between ‘productive’ and ‘native’ forestry, to create forests and woodlands which work for nature and people as well as production. I first visited Crofthead soon after it was planted, and again earlier this year, and it remains the most progressive and interesting woodland creation example I have seen.

Where do the timber lorries go? Visiting a sawmill for the first time was a revelatory experience for me, unlocking insights into natural capital, supply chains, forestry, the low-carbon economy, and wood in construction. The theory and statistics did not prepare me for the experience of seeing it with my own eyes, and I would recommend it to everybody. James Jones Lockerbie is one of the UK’s biggest mills, and one of the most technologically advanced in Europe, producing a wide range of wood products for all kinds of essential uses, and employing 150 people. This is a unique opportunity to see what goes on inside, which I would love to share with the natural capital community and see what you think.

Itinerary

9:30am – Arrival

By train:

• Meet at Lockerbie Train Station at 9:15-9:30 AM.
• A lift will be provided to the forest.
• Train from Edinburgh: Departs Waverley at 8:12 AM, arrives Lockerbie at 9:09 AM.

By car:

• Meet at Sawmill Carpark (GPS link here) at 9:45 AM.

10:00am – Forest morning

• Group carpool from meeting points to the forest.
• Guided tour of the forest, including key features and highlights.

12:30pm – Lunch

• Lunch will be provided on-site.

13:30pm – Sawmill afternoon

• Tour of the sawmill facilities.
• Presentations and / or discussions of the day

4:00pm – Departure

• Return to meeting points or arrange onward travel.

Additional Notes:

• Dress for outdoor weather and walking.
• Parking/train details confirmed upon RSVP.
• Contact Sally (smatchett@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk) for questions.

The trip has been designed by Eleanor Harris, chair of the Sustainable Land Management Connectors.