The inter-relationship of afforestation and agriculture in Scotland

Abstract

ABSTRACT A major expansion in Scotland's forest area has occurred during the twentieth century. Most of the afforested area was previously hill land used for extensive sheep grazing. Despite the loss of hill grazings, sheep numbers have increased. It is concluded that the policy objectives of forest expansion and of protection of agricultural production have been clearly achieved. On the other hand, the afforestation programme may be seen as less successful when judged from environmental and social criteria. At the local level, the maintenance or expansion of agricultural production has accompanied afforestation up to a certain level, but thereafter further forest expansion is followed by agricultural retrenchment. A radical restructuring of agriculture has accompanied afforestation in some areas, and extensive social change has occurred as houses released from agriculture have been acquired as second homes or by incomers. Farmers have generally played a passive rather than active role in afforestation, and in some casesa defensive attitude towards afforestation is evidenced. The significance of social and cultural factors informers' attitudes towards afforestation is emphasised.