 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 April 2019 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Type | Executive Agency of the Scottish Government |
| Jurisdiction | Scotland |
| Headquarters | Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | Official website |
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) (Scottish Gaelic: Coilltearachd agus Fearann Alba) is responsible for managing and promoting Scotland's national forest estate: land, predominantly covered in forest, owned by the Scottish Government on behalf of the nation. It was formed on 1 April 2019, to take over some of the responsibilities of Forestry Commission Scotland, which was dissolved. The organisation exists alongside Scottish Forestry, also established on 1 April 2019, which is responsible for regulation, policy and support to landowners.[1] Forestry and Land Scotland's key functions are to look after the national forest estate, including unforested land within this portfolio, and to produce and supply timber. Within this remit they are expected to enhance biodiversity, increase public access to the outdoors, encourage tourism and support the rural economy.[2]
The agency has been established initially to manage only the national forest estate, however it is intended that in future it may also take over management of other publicly owned land in Scotland.[3] This could include land currently managed by other public bodies such as Crown Estate Scotland and NatureScot; crofting estates and agricultural land owned by the Scottish Government; land owned by local authorities; and land owned by the UK Ministry of Defence.[4]
- ^ "Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Enterprise Scotland no longer exist". Scottish Government. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "About Us". Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "The future of forestry in Scotland: consultation". Scottish Government. 31 August 2016. p. 11. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ "The future of forestry in Scotland: consultation analysis". Scottish Government. 13 February 2017. p. 13. Retrieved 10 April 2019.[permanent dead link]