FORESTERS past and present were joined by a senior government minister last week to mark the centenary of Glenmore Forest Park being in public ownership.

Glenmore was purchased from the Duke of Gordon in 1923, only four years after the establishment of the Forestry Commission. 

Since its entry into public forestry, Glenmore, at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, has experienced all of the changes in the forestry sector, including the early years of forestry expansion, the decades of technological and sociological change, and – over the past 40 years – the balancing of commercial concerns with conservation.

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Minister for Energy and the Environment, Gillian Martin, said: “It is a pleasure to meet some of the foresters – past and present – whose efforts have contributed to making Glenmore Forest Park what it is today. 

Forestry Journal: Glenmore is widely seen as one of Scotland's finest forests Glenmore is widely seen as one of Scotland's finest forests (Image: FLS/Supplied)

“It is quite a unique location that embodies the evolution of forestry practice – and the results that those changes have wrought – across the country over the past 100 years. 

“Timber production still has a part to play but Glenmore has become a much loved and hugely popular visitor destination and is also recognised for the major contribution made here to habitat restoration and species conservation – not least of the endangered capercaillie and more recently the release of wildcats into Glenmore Forest. 

“Having played a significant role in Scotland’s past, forests like Glenmore are even more critical to our future, capturing carbon emissions and helping to mitigate climate change." 

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Over the last 30 years an extensive felling programme of non-native conifers (around 500 hectares) and effective deer control has helped to expand the native Scots pine forest, largely through natural regeneration. This work will continue with Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) estimating the non-native conifer removal will take another 15 years to complete. 

Balancing conservation, forestry, recreation and community interests has been made considerably more challenging with the additional pressures of the impacts of the Climate Emergency and the biodiversity crisis.  

Forestry Journal: Glenmore's 100 years of public ownership also provide an insight into how forestry has changed in that time Glenmore's 100 years of public ownership also provide an insight into how forestry has changed in that time (Image: FLS/Supplied)

From the Forestry Commission being the only public agency working with private landowners in the area in 1923, FLS now works in partnership with many other organisations – including Cairngorm Connect, RSPB Scotland, RZSS, CNPA, HIE, as well as many community organisations and businesses – to address these challenges.  

Ms Martin added: “The next 100 years will bring new challenges but I have no doubt that the passion, dedication and expertise of the foresters who look after this amazing place will ensure that Glenmore Forest Park continues to thrive.”