Strategic Timber Transport Scheme

Why is the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme needed?

Most of Scotland's timber is transported on old roads in rural areas which have:

limited load bearing capacity
poor geometry for modern (44 tonne) timber lorries

In some cases, this can have negative impacts on residents in close proximity to haulage routes, and other road users.

Scotland's valuable timber harvest

Scotland harvests around 7 million tonnes of timber annually. This timber is duly processed in state-of-the-art sawmills and boardmills across the country. The benefits are clear.

£1.1

billion

GVA per year contributed to the Scottish economy every year

34,140

jobs sustained

across the country

Since 2005, the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme (STTS) has financed projects that:

reduce these impacts of timber transport
deliver benefits for local communities and the environment through innovative projects and partnerships

The fund typically contributes 50-70% of the costs of successful applications, with the remainder coming from Local Authorities and/or forestry sector partners.

STTS projects in Scotland

400

STTS projects

completed across Scotland by 2024

£125m

total value

of STTS projects in Scotland up to 2024

projects

currently ongoing

Applications for the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme (STTS)

The 2025-26 STTS cycle is underway.

The 2026-27 STTS application process will reopen in February 2026.

Note that the Preparatory Project Grant (PPG) applications can be submitted at any time.

Is my project eligible for STTS funding?

To check if your project is eligible for the STTS, read the updated STTS guidance.

Planning ahead is key. You should read our STTS application guidance note if your proposal:

needs felling approval
an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
or is a collaborative haul route

Read our STTS guidance Learn how to plan ahead for your application

Important criteria for eligibility

Collaboration and partnerships are one of the key criteria. So it’s important to give:

all your project partners the chance to contribute to project development
the Regional Timber Transport Groups (RTTG) time to discuss and provide support for applications

Funding for Timber Transport Scheme applications

Is your project large or complex? You can apply for a more limited Preparatory Project Grant (PPG) to help with project development, ahead of STTS funding in the next round of bids.

Note that you can submit PPG applications at any time, subject to funding. You can read our further guidance and application form online.

Further guidance on Preparatory Project Grants

How do I apply?

Some important tips:

try to keep applications to one comprehensive PDF/Word document
compress images and maps within the application document to keep the file size down

We will accept electronic signatures or scanned signatures for applications in this round.

Agents applying on behalf of forest owners must submit a STTS mandate form.

Agents mandate form

Take time to read the forms

Make some time to read the updated STTS guidance before completing the STTS application form.

Read our STTS guidance Read the STTS application form

Completed your application?

Submit your completed application by email.

You can also contact us with any questions around:

STTS information
application support
general enquiries relating to the scheme

Email your application Contact us