28 Forests to Explore in Scotland

Checkout places to visit in Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom, covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Mainland Scotland has a 96 mile (154 km) border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast, and the Irish Sea to the south. Scotland includes more than 790 islands.

Forests by destinations in Scotland

East Lothian Council (3)

Aberdeenshire (2)

Dumfries and Galloway (2)

East Ayrshire Council (1)

East Renfrewshire Council (1)

Popular Activities And Trips in Scotland

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Forests to Explore in Scotland

Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve was the first site to be designated a Nature Reserve, in 1952. It comprises a complete set of habitats from low water right through to salt marsh and sand dune, unchanged by the influence of people. The area within the Reserve is extensive, and, in consequence, the paths across it take time to cover. Dogs are not welcome on the Reserve due to the potential for disturbing nesting and / or roosting birds.

The fields, woods and green spaces of the Almond Valley site extend either side of the river Almond for nearly a mile. At its heart lies the historic buildings of Livingston Mill and the associated Mill Farm. This is home to many friendly farm animals who are always keen to introduce themselves to visitors. Elsewhere on site, there are all manner of unique and imaginative play spaces set among the fields and gardens.

This is an indoor tropical rainforest with over 70 different species is themed on the Amazon rainforest in South America. Experience free flying butterflies above your head, catching your eye with their dazzling colour and hold frogs, snakes and lizards in the handling room. Amazonia is a temperature controlled tropical house, home to over 70 different species. Amazonia is themed on the Amazon rainforest in South America, the largest rainforest in the world.

Balgray Reservoir

A beautiful location for a holiday with your loved ones. The reservoir is set within the expansive Dams to Darnley Country Park where there's 1350 acres to explore with wetland, burn, woodland, grassland and scrub. This natures treat will rejvinate your mind and body and will give you a chance to get close to the nature.

Beecraigs Country Park

A beautiful 370 hectare Country Park located in the Bathgate Hills near historic Linlithgow town. One of three Country Parks in West Lothian, sister Parks are Almondell & Calderwood and Polkemmet Country Parks. It is the largest of West Lothian's 3 Country Parks and offers miles of woodland paths and trails to explore by foot, bike or horse as well as a wide range of leisure and recreational opportunities.

Butterdean Wood

A decidious and attractive mixed woodland of confers ash birch and mixed broadleaves. There is a car park and two way-marked trails with a number of wild-life themed sculptures. The terrain is generally flat. The wood lies between Tranent and Haddington and is popular with local walkers.

Culbin Sands, Forest and Findhorn Bay is a huge area of coast and countryside and an SSSI in Moray, Scotland, stretching from just east of the town of Nairn eastwards to the village of Findhorn and its bay. All of the areas are very important for wildlife in general and are strongly protected by law. The Culbin Sands are known in Gaelic as Bar Inbhir Èireann.Popular with cyclists and horse-riders. It's rich wildlife includes roe deer, red squirrel, badgers, seals and pine martins and there is al

Dalkeith Country Park

Dalkeith Country Park is a beautiful estate at only 2200 acres but with 600 acres of predominantly broadleaved woodland located only five miles from Edinburgh city centre. At the heart of the Country Park is the 600 year old Dalkeith Old Oak Wood nestling in the meetings of the North and South Esk rivers. One of the iconic location where you can spend some good time in the middle of nature.

Devilla Forest is a Forestry and Land Scotland commercial site to the north and east of Kincardine. There are many tracks and paths in the forest offering numerous possibilities for walking. A few route suggestions are given here but there are numerous other possibilities. Some of the routes are on unsurfaced trodden paths which can be very muddy at times. If this doesn’t appeal, just stick to the surfaced vehicle tracks and the boardwalk of the red squirrel way.

Dunnottar Woods

Dunnottar is a wonderful woodland for all the family to enjoy with wildlife, a rich diversity of wild flowers, and many historical features such as Lady Kennedy's Bath, an ice house and the Shell House. Enjoy a walk with the family through the spectacular woodland, watch the bodging group turning wood, discover the rich history whilst exploring the woods to find the Shell house, the Ice house, Lady Kennedys bath and Gallows hill.

Faskally Forest

Faskally Forest is an extensive woodland area within Tay Forest Park on the banks of Loch Dunmore, approximately one mile north west of Pitlochry. The layout of the woodland is largely manmade, having been created in the 19th century in the grounds of Faskally House, which was used as a Forestry Commission school. It can be enjoyed on the many well sign posted paths including the easy access Dunmore Trail with views over the lochside trees or the Foresters' Trail around Dunmore Hill.

Ae Forest is the perfect place to visit, whether you want to relax with a picnic beside the river, watch woodland wildlife, stroll through the trees or burn off some serious energy on horseback or on the superb mountain bike trails. A variety of mountain bike trails have been built as part of Forestry and Land Scotland's 7stanes project that ranges from beginner trails to highly advanced trails. Forest of Ae has also been a staple location for stages in the Scottish Downhill association.

Galloway Forest Park

Galloway Forest Park is often referred to as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands’ and attracts around 800,000 thousand visitors each year. Home to dramatic ancient woodland, magnificent scenery and an astonishing range of local wildlife, the park is perfect for the whole family. Whether walking, cycling, fishing, driving through the woods or just relaxing in the tearooms, the Galloway Forest Park has something for everyone.

Galloway Forest Park

The Galloway Forest Park is Britain’s largest forest park, which was established in 1947. It is often referred to as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands’ and attracts around 800,000 thousand visitors each year. Home to dramatic ancient woodland, magnificent scenery and an astonishing range of local wildlife, the park is perfect for the whole family.

Glentress Forest

The gateway to the Tweed Valley Forest Park and home of a mountain biking centre which is one of the 7stanes mountain bike trails operated throughout southern Scotland by Forestry and Land Scotland. There are so many walking routes and options for tree-top adventure and magnificent views of the Tweed Valley.

Gore Glen Woodland Park

A vast green park situated west of Gorebridge, close to Robert Adams Wood. It represents a regenerated industrial landscape located a half-mile west of Gorebridge in Midlothian. The landscape was principally the result of coal-mining activity from the 19th century until the 1960s. There are free curricular based environmental education activities for schools and groups, led and organised by the Ranger Service.

Kirroughtree Forest

Kirroughtree Forest is located near Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway, southwest Scotland and overlooks the Irish Sea. It is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland and is part of the Galloway Forest Park. It has been developed as a centre for mountain biking trails. Palnure Burn is a small river which runs through the forest and on into the River Cree. The forest is home to red squirrels, red deer and ospreys.

Lang Craigs Woodland Trust Woods

Map of Forests to Explore in Scotland