The Full Circle: Edition 14
Editor’s letter
For those of you who are not already aware, I have taken over the production of this and the next Full Circle, to give Nick the space he needs to recover from his operation. I’m sure I can speak for everybody in wishing him a full and speedy recovery.
Seven years and 14 editions on, the Full Circle continues to inspire, with its stories from the front line of the timber industry. Whether you’re a forester, a sawmiller, a furniture maker or something in between, there have been stories of struggle and success to entertain and educate alike. Its original remit to give all, regardless of company size or educational background, an equal opportunity to write their story in their own words has clearly been embraced by its growing readership.
The climate emergency, Brexit and the pandemic have all contributed to localism becoming a thing again. Food miles now matter more, as do wood miles. In issue 14 of the Full Circle you will find some upbeat, positive and enlightening stories reinforcing the effects of buying locally. We also have a special 8 page centre spread celebrating the Scottish Furniture Makers Association’s 20th anniversary, as well as the usual Forestry Scotland, ASHS, SFMA and Scottish Working Woods news pages. So read on and enjoy.
Many thanks to all of our contributors and advertisers, as well as our funders and members, who enable the Full Circle to continue being published.
Steve McLean, Editor
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The Full Circle is released twice per year, for a subscription rate of £14 per year.
In this issue:
ASHS News
Chairman Keith Threadgall shares updates from across the Association, including industry activity, member support, and the successful delivery of the first Working Woods Scotland course.
A Conversation: Scaling the Sector
A collaborative discussion between ASHS, SFMA and Scottish Forestry exploring how to grow small and medium-sized businesses, attract new entrants, and develop a stronger, unified industry presence in Scotland.
Working Woods Scotland Course
A detailed account of the first Working Woods Scotland course, bringing together foresters, sawmillers and makers to share knowledge, build practical skills, and strengthen connections across the timber sector. Working Woods Scotland has been modelled from the popular Woodland to Workshop course run by Woodland Heritage, with a twist to better fit within a Scottish context.
The Scottish Working Woods Label in Practice
A case study from Dovetail Scotland explaining the Scottish Working Woods Label, a certification scheme identifying locally sourced timber and supporting traceable supply chains, woodland management, and regional economic value.
CloudForest Marketplace
An introduction to CloudForest Marketplace, a new digital platform designed to improve how UK-grown timber is traded by directly connecting buyers and sellers across the supply chain. CloudForest Marketplace supports shorter supply chains, better material transparency, and stronger economic links between growers, mills, designers, and builders working within the UK’s evolving low-carbon construction and craft sectors.
Scottish Forestry Update
A sector update from Scottish Forestry focusing on workforce development, woodland expansion, and initiatives encouraging greater participation in forestry careers and long-term stewardship of Scotland’s woodland resource.
Ash Dieback in Scotland
An overview of Ash Dieback disease and its ongoing impact on Scottish landscapes, timber quality, and woodland management strategies, including how the sector is adapting to declining ash populations.
Felder Group in Scotland
A look at Felder’s role in Scotland’s woodworking sector, highlighting how modern machinery and tooling systems are supporting efficiency, precision, and production capability across workshops of all sizes.
Future SFMA Plans / News
Updates on upcoming Scottish Furniture Makers Association initiatives, exhibitions, and awards programmes, outlining continued efforts to promote design excellence, craftsmanship, and sustainable furniture making across Scotland.
SFMA 20th Anniversary Special
Celebrating 20 years of the Scottish Furniture Makers Association, reflecting on its growth, achievements and continued role in supporting makers across Scotland.
Beginnings: The Story of SFMA
Founding member Ross Samson recounts how the SFMA emerged from informal conversations among makers, highlighting early collaboration, shared ambition, and the value of collective support in furniture making.
Fife’s Local Forest Culture and Enterprise – Time to Grow and #BuildBackBetter
An exploration of Fife’s emerging woodland economy, linking forest stewardship, small-scale sawmilling, and community enterprise to wider discussions around local production and sustainable land use.
An Interview with Andy Dudley
Insights into the UK sawmilling market through Andy Dudley’s experience, covering shifting customer demand, machinery choices, and the growing interest in self-sufficiency and small-scale timber production.
Homegrown Timber Survey Analysis
Findings from a sector survey of architects, builders, and timber firms examining sourcing habits, material demand, and the challenges and opportunities in increasing the use of homegrown Scottish timber.
Wood-Mizer Sawmilling Systems
An overview of integrated sawmilling systems designed to combine processing stages into efficient production lines, reducing waste, improving throughput, and supporting scalable timber manufacturing operations.
