This piece is an extract from this week's Forestry Latest News newsletter, which is emailed out at 4PM every Friday with a round-up of the week's top stories. 

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THE difficult thing about summing up Jean Balfour's influence on British forestry is finding the best place to start. Hers was a sway that went beyond that of just any forester, extending into pretty much every aspect of countryside life. A genuine trailblazer, few, if any, grumbles would be heard if you called her one of the greatest figures of the industry's 20th century. 

"Her influence has been instrumental in shaping forestry and timber into the successful industry it is today," Confor's chief executive Stuart Goodall said when asked to pay tribute to Jean, who passed away last month at the age of 95. His was one of many to share that sentiment, and for good reason. 

Forestry Journal: Dr Jean Balfour receiving the thanks of Scottish Land & Estates Crofting Group Dr Jean Balfour receiving the thanks of Scottish Land & Estates Crofting Group (Image: Twitter)

Her list of achievements is as long as it is varied. During her career, she served as president of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, chair of the Countryside Commission for Scotland, and vice chair of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, to name just a few. Jean was also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) and was awarded a CBE in the 1980s for her work. For a time, she served as a councillor with Fife Council. In between it all, she ran several estates and travelled the world researching climate change's effects on nature. 

In 2015, she became one of the few people to receive Confor's Dedicated Service to Forestry Award, primarily for her influence in the structure of the Woodland Grant Scheme. She was also handed the ICF's highest honour, the Institute’s Medal, in 1996. 

"Jean’s contribution to forestry in Scotland and beyond cannot be overstated," Stuart continued. "The forestry sector will remember her best for her tireless work on various working groups, her chairmanship of regional advisory committees, her influence in the structure of the Woodland Grant Scheme, and for her brief and piercing interventions at all the important forestry and land management events.

“Her impact on this community and industry will be felt for many years to come and she will be sorely missed.”

Jean was born in 1927 and lived in Fife following her marriage to John Balfour of Balbirnie in 1950. Most of her childhood was spent in Highland Perthshire. She graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1949 with an Honours degree in Biological Sciences.

She and her husband were both engaged with the management of Balbirnie Estate. 

She was involved in many rural charities and was a founder council member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. She was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and had been awarded Honorary Doctorates by the Universities of St Andrews and Stirling.

Forestry Journal: One of Jean's paintings One of Jean's paintings (Image: Falkland Estate)

Wilma Harper, president of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, said: "She was a loyal and active supporter of the Society and a champion of sound forestry practice.

"In the best sense of the term, she was a critical friend. She was always a supporter of women in forestry and very much a pioneer from a time when prejudices lay close to the surface.

"It was a privilege knowing her. She will be sadly missed." 

Outside of her work, she was a keen painter, both during her travels and at home. 

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: "The phrase ‘one of a kind’ is used far too often, but it’s the perfect one to describe Dr Jean. 

"We will miss her insight, encyclopaedic knowledge, her unwavering support of rural issues and we will even miss the telling offs we sometimes got. I feel very fortunate to have known her - she truly was one of a kind."

Jean Balfour passed away peacefully at home on February 27 2023. A service of thanksgiving and celebration of her life will be held in Markinch Parish Church KY7 6DS on Tuesday, April 11, at 3pm to which all family and friends are invited and afterwards at Balbirnie House Hotel.

Forestry Journal will have more tributes in its April edition.