A stunning, handmade Yew box containing a curated selection of Scottish hardwoods – showcasing not only the beautiful colours and distinctive grain patterns, but also the range and quality of Scottish native hardwoods.
This box was presented to Prince Charles by Scottish Wood founder Jim Birley last Sunday when attending a meeting at Dumfries House, on behalf of the Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers and the Storm Arwen Steering Group.
The Storm Arwen Steering Group
Following the destruction of millions of trees during Storm Arwen and subsequent storms – among the most severe to impact the UK in decade – the Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers has taken an active role in the Storm Arwen Steering Group. Established at the request of Prince Charles and organised by Douglas Halliday and Alexander Manson, the group brings together representatives from across the UK forestry and hardwood sector to develop practical solutions to increase the use and market for storm-damaged hardwoods.
Current work by the group includes contributing to Scottish Forestry guidance for landowners on how to make the most of storm-damaged hardwood, as well as increasing the links and awareness between timber suppliers and ASHS members.
Scottish Wood is a longstanding member of ASHS, a co-operative organisation of small Scottish sawmills and timber processing businesses. ASHS aims to promote and increase the marketplace awareness of locally grown timber – especially hardwoods – and revitalise the culture and practise of sourcing locally grown timber from local mills and processors.
An update from the Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers
This update was posted in the ASHS twice yearly journal, the Full Circle (linked below).
“With the destruction incurred by the swathe of storms that took place over the last few months, ASHS have been taking an active role in the Storm Arwen steering group. Organised by Douglas Halliday and Alexander Manson – at the behest of Prince Charles – the steering group has brought together members from across the UK and the forestry/hardwood sector to help come up with a solution that will increase the market and utilisation of the large numbers of hardwoods – in particular beech – which have come down in the storms.
The current actions of the group have included a press release from Scottish Forestry which includes guidance for landlords on how to make the most of their storm-blown hardwoods.
Part of the work that the Storm Arwen Steering Group is trying to achieve is to increase the links and awareness between timber suppliers (e.g. landowners, tree surgeons, energy companies, etc.) and ASHS members. This is the angle that ASHS have already been working on in the development of an ASHS ‘Buy and Sell group’, which is an email platform that brings together round log suppliers and ASHS members to help increase timber buying opportunities for our members and allow suppliers to get the best value from their hardwoods.”
Update from ASHS Co-ordinator Nick Marshall, published in the Spring 2022 edition of the ASHS journal – The Full Circle.
This blog post was updated in May 2026, as a part of the migration to the new Scottish Wood website.
