Stepping up the effort to exploit one of northeast Scotland's most abundant but under-used resources - Scots pine - could deliver significant benefits to the rural economy.

That is the message that Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment, will deliver at a Forestry Commission Scotland seminar staged at Horizon Scotland, Forres, today.

Mr Lochhead, said: "Northern Scotland has 110,000 ha of Scots pine high forest - almost 80 per cent of the total area in Scotland - and this will increase over the next 15 years.

"This is a tremendous, sustainable timber resource that plays a key role in delivering a wide range of benefits to the rural economy - from attracting leisure, recreation and wildlife tourism to sustaining a thriving and growing timber sector. But it has the potential to contribute even more.

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"Capitalising on this resource will help Scotland to win a bigger share of the very competitive, quality timber market and I am confident that the growers, managers and processors here today will work together to make this happen."

A current strategic survey to assess the quality of the whole north Scotland pine resource will provide valuable information for growers and timber processors on the future potential of these forests.

Scotland's only native timber-producing conifer, Scots pine produces strong and easily worked timber that compares favourably with other home-grown commercial conifer species.

It is a staple of the timber processing industry centred around the Moray Firth - with 50% of the Scots pine harvested processed into panel board products and a further 40% processed for agricultural and domestic fencing.

The event is an opportunity for timber industry representatives to discuss how to assess and improve the quality of timber produced and how to extend the range of Scots pine products.

A 2008 Market Development Study carried out by Napier University's Centre for Timber Engineering (CTE), highlighted five products or areas with particular potential for development - playground equipment, stress laminated bridges, massive timber construction, external cladding, and wood modification such as Gluelam.

Partners in the research project include Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, BRE, Edinburgh Napier University, James Jones & Sons Ltd, Forest Enterprise Scotland, Seafield Estate and Cawdor Forestry.

(GK/BMcC)