The UK’s largest forest management company has reported strong growth in turnover and profits, saying it is well-positioned to help reduce the country’s reliance on imported timber.
Scottish Woodlands (SWL), based in Riccarton, Edinburgh, manages a wide range of forestry activities, including tree planting, timber harvesting, and utilities and infrastructure services.
Managing director Ian Robinson said: “While the results include the impact of acquiring RTS Forestry, the underlying performance of the parent company was very strong.”
The company planted 2,750 hectares of new woodland in Scotland during 2024-25, accounting for around one-third of all new woodland creation. A similar share is expected when updated planting figures are released in June.
In its strategic report, published alongside the annual results, SWL said: “The company is well-placed to not only meet the requirements of improving markets and increasing demand, but also to deliver new productive forests, which are greatly needed to reduce the UK reliance on imported timber.”
Scottish Woodlands is also working with industry body Confor to address barriers to woodland creation, which is seen as essential to meeting climate and housing targets.
Turnover rose to £143.74 million in the year to 30 September 2025, up from £118.16m a year earlier, while operating profit increased from £4.54m to £5.99m.
In December 2024, SWL acquired RTS Forestry, which has offices in Crieff, Inverurie, Inverness and Hexham. The combined business now employs more than 300 people across 23 offices in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The company is 80% employee-owned, with the remaining 20% held by sawmiller James Jones & Sons. It has also operated a Graduate Development Programme for the past decade to help tackle skills shortages in the forestry sector.
