Scottish Wood is the trading arm of Dynamic Woods, a Scottish Charity, and profits raised through the sale of the Timber you buy from us goes directly towards supporting local community projects and the development of sustainable woodland culture with funds being split between reinvestment in the yard, to help develop the small sawmill sector, support local community activities, and organisations with an interest in woodland and timber, for example the set up and support of Forest Schools through Active Schools Fife, allowing local schools to access training grants so they can be self-sufficient. Funds are generally focused locally in West Fife former mining villages though support is also given to national-scale groups that are working to revitalise the woodland culture, such as the Scottish Working Wood Label and the Forest Policy Group.
Supporting locally - Dynamic Woods helps forge working partnerships between landowners, communities, businesses and environmentalists. It also offers training, cooperative marketing, wood-processing services, incubation space for new indigenous businesses and environmental restoration work.
Just some of the recent projects supported through Dynamic Woods grants;
The Edinburgh Cyrenians
The Edinburgh Cyrenians Kirknewton is a charity aimed at tackling the causes and consequences of homelessness. The farm is home to a Cyrenians Community of young people living in peer-supported accommodation and provides opportunities for residents and volunteers to grow food, skills, ideas and confidence.
A £1000 grant was given to refurbish their workshop at Humbie holdings to be able to continue to offer a range of opportunities for people from all walks of life.
The Iona community Camas centre on the Isle of Mull Camas is located right on the coast with a 2km walk to access their off grid, back to basics and nature activity centre. Offering a safe space for young people, individuals and groups up to 30, to thrive and experience community through immersion in Scotland’s wilderness and activities such as absailing; wild camping; raft building; cost steering; kayaking; artwork and games. Camas has enriched and inspired the lives of many young people and adults, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. More info can be found at https://iona.org.uk/ £1000 grant for purchasing naturally durable Larch, which was used to build a drying room at the end of their building for wet suites from kayaking and coasteering to dry in when it's too wet to dry outside. Fantastic use of funding and another great learning and team building experience.
Grow West Fife Grow West Fife, located at the walled garden at Blair castle, Culross. It is charity based, community garden set up by a group of volunteers during Covid and lockdown 2020 to help local food-banks and pantries. On a mission to get the people growing their own veg the garden has now expanded thanks to funding and hosts a range of workshops and projects open to the the local community.
£1000 grant for Larch to build accessible raised beds for local community use.
Falkland Build school The Build School is an emerging centre for learning in ecological and traditional building with the focus on events and activity on live builds in a spacious rural setting, with on site camping, catering and facilities.
The Build School at Falkland 2022 was the second event to be hosted to introduce as wide an audience as possible to the skills & techniques required to build small off-grid Bothies. The first Course was held in September 2021 & resulted in the frame of a 30m2 structure being erected in the four days of the event. The 2nd course was to use the frame to show how the deck for a planted roof can be created plus demonstrate the build up of walls & floors & the fitting of doors & windows.
The Field of Learning at Falkland is intended to be the focus of an ongoing series of courses which will gradually create the facilities needed to host future events. A Planning submission has been made for the first five Bothies along with a large workshop & an office space. If this is successful then a programme of additional build schools will be planned to carry out the work required to create these facilities.
£1000 granted for the 2022 course for Larch cladding and decking.
West Fife Woodlands
West Fife Woodlands group was created to restore, revive and protect the woodland areas around West Fife run by Ronnie Collins and local volunteers they have been making huge improvements to our local woodlands upgrading our path networks, making them accessible to roam plus clearing overgrowth from local woodlands to create a safe place to play and learn for children. £1000 donated to purchase Larch for upgrades and repairs plus for playground facilities for local children.
Scottish Wood regularly offers wood donations of Larch and Scottish Oak offcuts available onsite outside our Timber-shop to community based organisations such as charity groups, Men sheds, community create groups, nurseries and schools. Get in touch for more info.