New Highlands group will help fuel demand for timber
A groundbreaking gathering of players in one of the north’s fastest growing green industries will meet in Kingussie later this week.
The second meeting of the fledgeling Highlands and Islands Woodfuel Group takes place in the Duke of Gordon Hotel this Wednesday.
At an inaugural gathering in February, more than 50 woodland managers, forestry contractors, researchers, stove and boiler installers and suppliers of pellets, woodchips and logs gave a resounding thumbs up to proposals for a new regional forum to represent the sector.
Now stakeholders are being invited to come and formally establish the new group.
"Woodfuel offers great scope for people to have a bigger stake in their own local energy supplies," said event organiser Amanda Calvert, of woodland charity Highland Birchwoods.
"We’re keen for all those involved in this dynamic and exciting sector to get involved in shaping productive and co-operative ways of working together.
"This will help ensure the industry thrives and grows, bringing jobs to the area and boosting the local economy.
"Among the topics on the agenda for the day are business development and financing installations and there will be an opportunity to see a working commercial woodfuel boiler in action at the venue, the Duke of Gordon Hotel."
The meeting is being funded by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) which has played an important role in supporting and developing the woodfuel industry in the area.
Land and conservation programme manager Will Boyd-Wallis said: "The Cairngoms National Park Authority is delighted to support the blossoming Highlands and Islands Woodfuel Group by hosting its second meeting in Kingussie within the national park.
"We hope the event will appeal to the many local woodfuel producers, users and others involved in the industry, as well as those from the wider Highlands.
"The meeting offers a valuable learning and networking opportunity on our door step."
