Syd House MBE
is a prominent Scottish forester who served as a Conservator with Forestry Commission Scotland (now Scottish Forestry). He is widely recognised for his leadership in managing woodlands in the Perth and Argyll regions.
Career & Contributions
Forestry Commission: He held senior roles within the Forestry Commission, notably serving as the Conservator for Perth and Argyll.
Professional Leadership: He has been an active member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), serving on its Council and as a Fellow (FICFor).
OBE Honour: He was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to forestry.
Historical Research: Beyond management, he is known for his interest in forestry history, specifically researching the "Perthshire Plant Hunters" (such as David Douglas) and their impact on British landscapes.
Key Areas of Expertise
Sustainable Forest Management: Overseeing large-scale timber production and conservation projects in Scotland.
Public Engagement: Promoting the cultural and historical value of trees and woodlands to the public.
Mentorship: Supporting early-career foresters through professional development programs.
Syd House, MBE, is a prominent Scottish forester, author, and musician renowned for his expertise in the trees of Perthshire, often called "Big Tree Country". A retired Forestry Commission manager and expert on David Douglas, he has written extensively on Scotland's forests, notably rescuing the Fortingall Yew and creating the musical duo PlaidSong.
Forestry Career & MBE: Syd House spent 35 years with the Forestry Commission, serving as the head of the commission in Perth and Argyll. He was awarded an MBE for his services to forestry.
Big Tree Country Connection: He is closely associated with Perthshire's "Big Tree Country" and managed projects like the Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park. He is a renowned expert on the "heroic" plant hunters of the 19th century, particularly David Douglas.
Expertise & Conservation: He has worked extensively on Champion Trees in Scotland, is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, and famously contributed to the preservation of the Fortingall Yew, Scotland's oldest tree.
Music & Writing: Alongside his wife, Nicky, he forms the musical duo PlaidSong, combining Scottish historical research with songwriting. He has written, lectured, and broadcast extensively on forestry, including authoring a biography on David Douglas, "The Tree Collector".
Recent Activity: He was featured in the 2009 documentary "Finding David Douglas" and remains involved in forestry, including contributing to projects about notable trees like the Menzies' grave in London and the Scottish Redwood Trust.