Buying local at Christmas

Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham has encouraged people to buy home grown Christmas trees this year to help support Scotland’s rural economy.

During a visit to Scotland House, the Scottish Government’s Innovation and Investment Hub in London, Ms Cunningham added the final touches to a newly delivered a Nordman Fir, grown by Sylvestrus Ltd at Nordmann Croft, North Kessock.

Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:

“Scotland’s forestry industry is vitally important to our rural economy – contributing £1 billion and supporting 25,000 jobs – and the Scottish Government is committed to supporting the continued growth of this sector.

“I was delighted to add the final touches to our home grown Christmas tree proudly on display in Scotland House and want to thank Sylvestrus for providing this year’s tree. Christmas trees play a special role in our festive traditions and so it would be great if as many people as possible bought a home grown tree this year.”

Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, said: 

“Christmas trees are an important part of Scotland’s rural economy and the wider industry. Scotland’s £1 billion forestry and wood processing sector is the powerhouse of UK forestry. Christmas trees are just one seasonal export to the rest of the UK, alongside timber for housing, fencing, decking, pallets and much more.

“Scotland House was established as an innovation and investment hub in London and we were delighted to source Dietrich’s tree to provide some festive cheer - and to highlight how the 25,000 people in Scotland's booming forestry and wood processing industry are constantly innovating and investing. Hopefully, a Scottish tree in London will remind Scots in London of the beautiful, tree-filled landscapes back home.”

Background

Confor: promoting forestry and wood represents 1500 UK businesses, including around more than 600 in Scotland. It is based in George Street, Edinburgh, but operates across the whole of the UK: www.confor.org.uk