Chief Forester for Scotland

This part-time position focuses on four core areas:

• providing independent professional advice to Scottish Ministers on forestry related issues
• serving as Head of Profession, upholding and promoting high professional standards among foresters working in Scottish Forestry, Forestry and Land Scotland, and the wider public sector
• championing professional forestry and raising the profile of the profession across Scotland
• considering approaches to tackling both climate change and biodiversity loss while maintaining productive capacity of Scotland’s forests

Dr Helen McKay OBE has served as Chief Forester for Scotland since August 2020, bringing over three decades of expertise in sustainable forestry and forest science.

Her career began with a PhD on Sitka spruce mycorrhizae, followed by academic work in environmental science and a move into applied research on:

• nursery stock quality
• establishment methods
• sustainable nutrition

During six years in a GB policy role, she led research commissioning and policy development in sustainable forest management.

Helen has played a pivotal role in shaping sustainable forestry policy and practice through evidence-based research.

As an honorary Fellow of Forest Research, she currently supports the development of fact sheets on the role of forests, woodlands, and trees in addressing climate change and mentors staff in scientific writing and publishing.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, an editor of the international scientific journal Forestry, a Trustee of the Scottish Forestry Trust, and a registered STEM ambassador. 

Helen was awarded an OBE in 2020 for her contributions to forest science, and in 2025 received the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ highest honour - the Institute’s Medal - for her sustained commitment to professional excellence.