Forestry management company Scottish Woodlands is toasting a successful event at Turriff Show.

Director Neil Crookston said: “While we are there to showcase Scottish Woodlands Ltd it is a great chance for our staff to meet others and increase their awareness of issues impacting the rural sector.

“There was a lot of discussion on the wider implications for Asulox restrictions and rural crime which is affecting so many in Grampian - not just the forestry sector.”

Mr Crookston said the event draws a wide audience from across the rural sector and the public which allows for a wide range of conversations.

He said: “Even in part of the country with a strong arable component, there is good awareness and interest in the forestry sector.

“There is inevitable and important discussion on planting woodland on good agricultural land and the impact carbon credits have on driving afforestation.

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“The views are mixed, information is often confusing and conflicting. My experience on the show was that a lot of fears were usually put to rest given the chance the discuss it openly.

“As with all decisions that affect land, taking time to understand the options and opportunity around forestry remains good advice. There is a lot of common ground between farming and forestry – it is essential both sectors openly discuss these.”

Most of the staff from the firm’s north east office attended the event, describing it as one of the key dates in the area calendar.