In recent years, there has been renewed interest in woodland product gathering in Scotland with around 20% of the Scottish population collecting some form of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP - products of biological origin other than wood derived from forests, other wooded land, and trees outside forests) in the last 12 months. 

While modern sustainable forest management practices place emphasis on managing forests to recognise and promote a broad range of values and uses, and Scottish Government are keen to support and encourage NTFP activities for personal use or business, any gathering must be carried out in a responsible, sustainable, and respectful way.

This document provides an updated policy direction (2024) for decisions on encouraging and supporting the sustainable development of the Non-Timber Forest Products sector in Scotland.