Background: The Scottish Woodland History Discussion Group (SWHDG), was set up in 1996 by Professor Chris Smout and Dr Fiona Watson with the aim of furthering the study of the history of Scottish woodlands in a way that is of interest and relevance to foresters, land managers and conservationists today.   In 2006 it became part of the Native Woodlands Discussion Group and we are continuing and expanding its work.  The former SWHDG is now known as the Woodland History Group within NWDG.  Coralie Mills, Peter Quelch and Jonathan Wordsworth represent Woodland History matters on the NWDG committee.

Activities: We organise an annual one-day autumn conference on Woodland History (click on 'Conference' to find out more) and also run archaeological field excursions, thus complementing the main NWDG programme.  Please contact Mairi Stewart for information about the conference or if you wish to be added to the mailing list.  No field excursion is planned at present, but contact Peter Quelch if you would like to learn more about current archaeological work in Scottish woodlands.

We have found a great deal of benefit comes from the sharing of ideas between woodland archaeologists and historians on the one hand, and those concerned with modern woodland ecology, management and policy on the other.   While the conference brings together a range of invited speakers from both academic and practical backgrounds, the emphasis is very much on discussion.

We will continue to publish Scottish Woodland History ‘Notes’ following our autumn conference. The past Notes are now available as pdf files to download: click on 'History Archive' to find them.

Our recent activities included:

2009 Autumn conference
This was another successful event with a good turnout.  The themes were ancient trees and woodlands, woodland use in north-eastern Scotland, and tree age in north-west Scotland.

2008 Autumn conference:

The theme of the conference was: "Steven & Carlisle’s ‘The Pinewoods of Scotland’ – 50 years on” and was introduced by Chris Smout.
 

Spring 2008: Woodland Archaeology Event
A three-day field meeting was led by Jonathan Wordsworth and Peter Quelch and was based at the Anancaun Field Study Centre, Kinlochewe, Wester Ross.

2007 Autumn conference:
The themes were oral history, woodland archaeology and veteran trees and Dr Ian Rotherham of Sheffield Hallam University spoke about 'The Archaeology of Woodland Landscapes; Issues for Managers.'   

The 2009 Woodland History Conference.  Discussion over lunch in the attractive surroundings of the Birnam Institute.  Photo by Alison Averis