Methodology

In an effort to capture some of the diversity of the use of Scottish forests to develop social benefit, two contrasting case study sites were pre-selected by the Forest Research Social and Economic Research Group (SERG). One is located in the most urban part of Scotland – Glasgow; the other in the rural Highlands of Scotland, centred on Loch Ness.

The purpose of Phase One of the research was to profile selected areas within each case study region in order to provide a working knowledge-base from which a subsequent, more targeted, research phase could be designed and implemented. An important function of this profiling work was the selection of key locations within each case study for this targeted research. The work started with a ‘quick scan’ of available data on social forestry activities which are taking place in the two case study regions (Glasgow & Clyde Valley, and Loch Ness). This initial ‘quick scan’ enabled the selection of sub-region(s) (with an approximate total area equivalent to a 20 mile radius for each case study region), for more detailed profiling.

The profiling involved mostly desk-based research (dominated by internet searches and email correspondence) and some ‘scoping’ interviews (mostly by telephone) with key stakeholders. In the selected sub-regions profiling work drew upon available socio-economic statistical data to present background information. This included data relating to employment, deprivation, and social groupings. In addition, profiling research in selected sub-regions canvassed a wide range of organisations, institutions, partnerships, voluntary organisations and other groups to determine what social forestry activities were taking place in the selected areas.
The resulting profiles produced the following information:

• data relating to forest cover and forest management types;
• available, background socio-economic data;
• information about community-based, forest-related activities and projects (focusing on the seven benefit Themes);
• information about relevant ‘social forestry’ sector projects, partnerships and initiatives;
• a stakeholder analysis, mapping the relationships between key individuals and organisations and presenting a database of contact details. Although completed as a discreet Work Package, the information contained in the Profiles was then continually updated as further information became available during the field work Phase of the research.  

The Loch Ness Case Study area is located along the shores of the loch and consists of three sub-areas: the North Shore, the South Shore and the Fort Augustus area. Each differs from the other in terms of patterns of land ownership, settlement, forest cover and activity, and levels of community development activity. Together they form a complete picture typical of many rural places in Scotland.

The Glasgow/Clyde Case Study area incorporates three different localities, all of which are located within the City of Glasgow Local Authority. Two of the selected case study localities are residential communities. One is Drumchapel, which is situated to the northwest of the city centre; the other is Castlemilk, which is to the south east of the city centre. Both are Housing Estate communities which have suffered a legacy of large vacancy rates, inter-generational social exclusion, and have become repositories for those suffering from disability and unemployment. The third locality, Pollock Park, is a green space situated just south of the City centre. It is an important resource to the other two case study communities, supplementing their own woodland assets with programmes across a range of social benefit categories.

The first Phase of the work delivered a profile of uses and actors who gain social value from forests and forest activities in the two case study areas. In order, though, to understand the nature of the benefits they enjoy, the motivations which drive them and the ways in which they enact their enjoyment/ use/ appropriation of these benefits, we needed to hear from a representative sample of the people mapped in the first exercise. Accordingly, based on the results of the profiling work and ongoing discussions with SERG members, specific locations, groups, activities and themes were then selected for detailed investigation. Participant observation and digital ethnographic techniques were used to investigate activities, projects and specific landscape variables. Focus groups and group interviews were used to investigate group and collective values, whilst semi-structured interviews were used to gather in-depth knowledge from key respondents.

In Loch Ness, this involved in-depth interviews with fourteen key informants, two focus groups and one expert group discussion. An initial ‘reconnaissance’ was undertaken using digital photography and participant observation journals to confirm information discovered during the profile, to make sure significant cases were not missed, and to see the whole area, walk in selected places and talk to the people we met in the woodlands. During the field trips, visits were made to five significant sites and we attended two events staged in forests. During these events attendees were informally interviewed. In total twenty-seven people were interviewed.

In Glasgow, in-depth interviews were conducted with fourteen Key Informants and three Focus Groups were undertaken. An initial reconnaissance produced photographic data of deprivation, as well as of community presence in the woodlands. Three woodland-based events were attended and one Forest School class. One school was also visited. Five site visits were made to Pollock Park, and site visits were also made to four other woodland sites. Three meetings of the Glasgow Forest Education Initiative were attended. Approximately thirty individuals were interviewed.

The majority of data was gathered during the interviews with key informants and the group interviews. Attendance at events, such as a children’s tree planting day or forest classroom, allowed the research to gather both contextual data and testimonies from participants. This was supplanted with the data gathered from observation, digital images and reflexive field notes.

• Aims and Objectives
• Methodology
• Outputs
• Links
• Partners and Funding
• Key Findings