Thursday, 18 April 2024
An ancient elm tree that has stood alone in Glen Affric for hundreds of years is now the guardian over a new generation of its species. Known as the...
Looking after Scotland's national forests and land
Explore our wild places
We look after Scotland's national forests for you. Ready to find your new favourite place?
Latest from our blog
Need some inspiration? Read on for recommendations, fun facts and more.
Thursday, 11 April 2024
Around 270 species of bees are found in the UK, with nearly 90% solitary species. Some that can be seen in Scotland include the red mason bee, common ...
Thursday, 04 April 2024
We're reaching the steepest part of the A82 next week. This is part of our steep ground felling programme on the hillside overlooking Loch Ne...
Thursday, 21 March 2024
Forestry is adapting — and it needs to! We face challenges ranging from extreme weather events and physically difficult operating conditions to inva...
Tourism & Recreation
Photography
Tuesday, 30 August 2022
Scotland’s national forests and land offer a vast array of opportunity for photographers. From incredible landscapes to intimate close-ups, and vivid wildlife to exciting adventures, there’s so much to see. Here, we’ve picked our favourite destinations for photographers, located throughout Scotland, so grab a camera or phone and get snapping! Adventures | Landscapes | Unique Shots | W...
Mountain biking glossary
Tuesday, 03 December 2019
If you're new to mountain biking some of the jargon might be a bit confusing. We've provided explanations of a few of the more common words you might hear below: Bikes Full sus: a mountain bike with suspension systems at the front (in the forks) and rear. Short for ‘full suspension’. Hard tail: a mountain bike with suspension at the front, rigid frame at the rear. Granny ring: ...
Check for ticks
Friday, 10 March 2017
This page provides some helpful information on how to identify ticks and how to remove them quickly and safely. What are ticks? Ticks are small spider-like creatures that live in the countryside. They can be found in woodland, moorland, grassland and parks. Young ticks can be as small as a poppy seed, whilst older ticks look like a tiny spider. As part of their life cycle, ticks feed...
Keep it clean: Frequently asked questions
Friday, 25 September 2015
What do you recommend for multiday walks with wild camping? Make sure your kit is clean before you head out – anything that carries soil, like tent pegs - but other than that, have a great trip! At what point do you recommend washing your shoes? It doesn’t really matter when you do it as long as your shoes (or tyres) are clean before you head off to the forest for your next visit. What do ...
Spectacular autumn destinations
Tuesday, 20 September 2016
We're spoilt for choice here in Scotland when we're looking for great places to enjoy the spectacular range of hues that autumn has to offer. We asked staff from all across the country to tell us their favourite places to visit to see autumn's nature in action. Read on to find out what they came up with. 1. Uath Lochans, near Kingussie Recommended trail: Uath Lochans Trail Level: Moderate Le...
Fishing in Galloway Forest Park
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Galloway boasts some stunning locations for keen fishers to enjoy the calm waters. Kirroughtree and Glentrool Visitor Centres are both excellent places to visit before you take to the lochs. Fishing permits Weekly permits to fish selected lochs (except Loch Dee and Loch Bradan) cost £35. Fishing permits for all waters can be purchased from the outlets listed below. When and...
Spooky spots to visit
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Scotland is soaked in historical intrigue, mystery and often grisly happenings. We all love a spooky story, and there's no better time than All Hallows' Eve to uncover some of the secrets the forests across Scotland hold. Read on if you dare! Mysterious murders Barcaldine’s aptly named Coffin Route was previously used to carry coffins over the hill to Achnaba. One famous corpse who travelled t...
Horse riding
Thursday, 09 October 2014
© Johan Danielson, Unsplash What better way to explore quiet woods, rolling hills and coastal trails than on horseback? Whether you’re looking for a quick circuit on the edge of town or a day out further afield, there are plenty of places for you and your horse to enjoy. Find a forest for horse riding We welcome horses Many of our forest roads and trails are ideal for horse riding. Yo...
Awesome autumn activities
Friday, 09 September 2016
Falling leaves, warm forest colours and fresh seasonal produce mean there is something for everyone to enjoy during autumn. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can get crafty or cook up a feast from nature’s own larder. Creature craft The kids can get creative using objects on the forest floor to make imaginative creatures of the forest. Fallen leaves are great material fo...
Watersports
Wednesday, 06 August 2014
Scotland's national forests give you access to beautiful waterways and lochs, and the opportunity to enjoy them in many ways. Whether swimming, sailing or paddling, it’s a great way of getting close to nature. However, you should always be extremely careful near, and on, open water and take all precautions to ensure a safe trip. Check out our water safety page for more useful information. Soft ...
7stanes - mountain biking heaven
Wednesday, 09 March 2016
hr { border: 1px solid white!important; } The 7stanes are world-class mountain biking centres that span the south of Scotland. Their award-winning trails offer some of the best mountain biking in the country and attract riders from across the UK and beyond. You don’t have to be an experienced mountain biker to enjoy these famous trails: there are a wide range of routes to suit...
Orienteering
Monday, 09 June 2014
Orienteering is an outdoor activity where you walk or run a course via a series of checkpoints (controls), using a specially designed and detailed map for guidance. Competitive events involve finishing the course as quickly as you can, but it doesn’t have to be a race: there’s a lot of fun in just going at your own pace. Find a forest for orienteering © Colin Matheson, Scottish Oriente...
What are the 7stanes?
Wednesday, 09 December 2015
The 7stanes are seven mountain biking centres spanning the south of Scotland, from the heart of the Scottish Borders to Dumfries and Galloway. However, it's more than just the name of the centres... A series of sculptures... 'Stane' is the Scots word for stone, and at each of the 7stanes locations, you'll find a unique stone sculpture - a stane - reflecting a local myth or legend. The stanes ar...
Camping
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Wake up in the woods The forest is a magical place at any time of day. Why go home when you can stay? Spend the night surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature at Kilvrecht Campsite, a peaceful spot in the forest above Loch Rannoch in Highland Perthshire, or check out one of our other camping options below. Eco-camping Composting toilets, mobile fire pits and no showers – Sallochy wood...