iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Glasgow is worse. Heathrow is worser.

Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Between 1991-8 I oversaw the planting of over 1million trees around Glasgow. 2.6million trees have seeded themselves around the Cairngorms in the last 10 years. 0.5m for England is window-dressing.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Meanwhile it costs £4.30 to travel 4 miles between Balfron and Buchlyvie in Stirling. Lining the pockets of McGills.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Amazing birds. We have a pair nest under the eaves. During a squabble one day I went out and told them off. They sidled away sheepishly. Full of character indeed.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Ah, no fishermen that I remember. My dad taught technical at Currie HS, he still makes things at 92! I can only have been 4 or 5 when you moved away, and the lady who bought your house is also still there. Nice to make the connection.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Did you live in Currie? Vague recollection you might have been my neighbour.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

The wood that pays is the wood that stays. Nice job.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

This is just not correct. A beech tree's root system is optimised to be in balance with and support the above ground parts of the tree. Your initial post suggested the shallow roots led to branch failure. Now it causes trees to fall over? Please, if you don't have the knowledge, don't post.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Eh? What is the correlation between a shallow root structure and wind damage to heavy limbs?

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

I thought this was a reasonable account. Absolutely not, quite disgusting. Blocked.

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Reposted by Alan Motion

futurewoodlands.bsky.social @futurewoodlands.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Rhododendron ponticum harms Scotland’s rainforests.🌸 Instead of using labour intensive methods to clear this invasive, we’re funding research by Treeconomy to turn it into a resource for woodland recovery. Find out more and contact Treeconomy to take this research further ow.ly/7WvJ50YuMvL

ow.ly

Turning invasive species into a mechanism for woodland recovery using Ecochar™ - Future Woodlands Scotland

A new Future Woodlands Scotland-funded study shows how material from invasive rhododendron could help fund long-term woodland restoration

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

European roller, Coracias garrulus, from a recent spell in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, KwaZulu-Natal.

A European roller bird perched on a branch, looking to the left of picture.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I remember being taken to see a covered bridge like that in Felton CA in 1990. Why were they built that way? Can see the logic here in Scotland 🌧️ but we don't bother with a roof over our bridges.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

I was surveying today in a corner of Tentsmuir Forest, and was accompanied most of the day by one. It would land on a branch right beside me, then flit away and return. Lovely wee things.

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Reposted by Alan Motion

Institute of Chartered Foresters @theicf.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

We’re delighted to announce Paul Brannen and Professor Peter Bonfield OBE have been awarded Honorary Fellowships, recognising their outstanding leadership in sustainable forestry, timber and climate action. Read more: charteredforesters.org/paul-brannen...

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Fraser fir for me this year, and the best needle retention I've had. Maybe this year I won't still be hoovering up needles in June.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

A Long-tailed tit earlier this year at Anagach Wood, Grantown-on-Spey. I went looking for crossbills and crested tit without success, but this little fella made up for it.

A Long-tailed tit sitting on a branch of Scots pine.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Ah, you might be best sticking to the traditional waxed jacket! I spent my time surveying, so only pretend forestry work.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

That's a great pic of the dugs.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

I've had a Cascada jacket for about 15 years, working in woodlands. It's full of little holes in the outer fabric from brambles but still waterproof. Also same trousers, shredded, and repaired with sail tape. Still do the job.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Here we go, @theicf.bsky.social professional exams, 50 applicants hoping to progress to #CharteredForester within the grand setting of St Leonard's Hall. My 24th year as part of the exam team and a privilege to be involved with such a professional group of people #forestry #arboriculture

A grand, ornate balustrade and staircase within St Leonard's Hall, Pollock Halls, University of Edinburgh.

Poster with the words Nurture Grow Thrive, promoting the value of becoming a Chartered Forester.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Good point. Toffee apples play havoc with the teeth.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

I do mostly agree with you, Scotland is into 3rd rotation Sitka plantation still using clearfell. It's crap & dangerous but £ talks. Forestry needs to be, can be much better, but we need to produce timber. Please stop denigrating the entire industry when there are many of us who do actually care.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Carving a tumshie lantern, that alone deserves a toffee apple from yer first stop oot guysing.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Hardly trying to "rubbish your point." Simply pointing out that the two examples are vastly different because the management policy is different. Yours is not the only option. Neither is Sitka plantation. But both have a place, each with their inherent weakness.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

The obvious point is if you want to manage land purely for nature, then @irishrainforest.bsky.social pic is a good example. If ur objective is to maximise timber production or wheat or turf for golf, it will look significantly different. Depends on objectives. None has exclusivity.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Wooden polychrome door in Pedro I Palace Real Alcázar de Sevilla, 1356. Carbon captured and stored.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

The same can be said for the images below. Both are grassland.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

These are all taken in managed conifer plantation. Perhaps we should fell it all and allow it to "rewild"? I admire many rewilding initiatives. I also hate unthinned 1st rotation Sitka. But we need timber, and gotta start somewhere.

Red squirrel pair on opposite sides of the stem of a Scots pine tree in a managed forestry plantation

Great spotted woodpecker on a Scots pine tree in managed forestry plantation

Nuthatch on the stem of Scots pine in managed forestry plantation

Jay on a Sitka spruce branch in managed forestry plantation

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Reposted by Alan Motion

National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

This #GreenLibrariesWeek we are celebrating the amazing ecosystems of trees and forests with the Open Shelves display in the General Reading Room. Meet remarkable trees or explore the interconnected life of our woodlands. www.nls.uk/whats-on/ope...

shelves with books about trees and forests

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Reposted by Alan Motion

Institute of Chartered Foresters @theicf.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

The UKFS isn’t just for foresters. That’s why we created the UKFS for Non-Foresters online course designed to help allied professionals understand and apply the principles of sustainable forestry 🌲 Start learning today: silvestor.org.uk/non-forester...

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Here I am, back in my favourite place for the penultimate guided walk of the year. Just an uneducated forester according to some, enjoying this nature-depleted landscape where every tree you see has been planted by others equally uneducated.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

4 points seems very generous to the World No 1 who was staring an unenviable record in the face. He beat his nearest rival in singles. Apart from that he was sh1te. But the USA gave us a competition today, and that made this Ryder Cup.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Well said. I know what they mean by "nature depleted conifer" but it's no different from "nature depleted - towns, villages, farms, grouse moors,broadleaved plantations, or Woodland Trust Offices. Get a grip WT.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

A few feathered friends from my trip to Shetland back in July. I love camera-shy Guillemot No 3.

Fulmar in flight against a backdrop of dark cliffs

Great skua, locally known as Bonxy, standing on cropped grass, Shetland

7 Guillemots standing in line along a cliff edge

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Big sporting estates certainly. Clearance for agriculture and intensive grazing/burning is why Scotland (and Ire) have never recovered our natural forests.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Complicated but I'd add, population density (of UK) higher than most Eur countries historically = greater demand. Also island nations very heavily dependent on timber for ships. And, mountainous areas of Eur used forests as protection from avalanche, so never cleared hillsides.

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Reposted by Alan Motion

Rewild Scotland @rewildscotland.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Scotland has so much to be proud of. But there’s something missing – something extraordinary... More info www.scotlandbigpicture.com/lynx-to-scotland 🎶 by Beluga Lagoon, 🎬 SCOTLAND:The Big Picture

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

I worked on this project ensuring that the surrounding trees and woodlands were protected. My father taught in the old Curriehill School before moving to Currie High on its opening. He taught there for 50 years mainstream and nightschool. He's excited to see the new building!

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

What is also needed is certainty of Scot Gov policy so that nurseries like this know there's an outlet for those trees in 3 years time. Cutting the forestry budget without forewarning is far from helpful.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Sunlight through paperbark maple, Acer griseum. I grew this from seed and planted it in 1999 when my red-haired lad was born.

A branch of paperbark maple tree with peeling orange bark, backlit by the sun. Buchlyvie Scotland.

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Reposted by Alan Motion

Institute of Chartered Foresters @theicf.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Hello Bluesky 👋 Our digital presence is growing and we'll now be posting about ICF news, sector news, events and more from our new Bluesky account. Help us grow our Bluesky community by following us and engaging with our content.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Keep doing what you do, it's important, vital even, to our future. Rewilding is fine, but it's still a management choice. And it won't help anytime soon to decarbonise, or substitute sustainable wood & fibre for steel and concrete.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

There's naivety with many that to return nature we simply step back & leave alone. It's not that simple. There has to be a catalyst, an active management choice to change. The decision to plant trees is a catalyst. Without that decision many of Glasgow's woodlands would still be sterile mown desert.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Well said. I'm not going to apologise for overseeing the planting, establishment and management of over 1m trees around Glasgow in the 90s, at a time when so many elms had been lost. Without the act of planting, these woodlands wouldn't exist.

An aerial photo showing areas of mixed broadleaved woodland planted 30 years ago, with open ground and a network of footpaths, at Cathkin Braes in Glasgow. Just part of over 300ha of planted woodlands around the city established during the 90s as part of the city's response to Dutch elm disease and the Forestry Commission's Community Woodland Initiative.

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Alan Motion @fairlieman.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

@bsbibotany.bsky.social #Wildflowerhour #bythesea some Sea Rocket (Cakile maritime) and some Sea Sandwort (Honckenya peploides) I think. Both on Findhorn beach this week.

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