Space Is The Place: Stargazing in Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park

Monday, 23 April 2018

One of the darkest places in Scotland, Galloway Forest Park became the UK’s first Dark Sky Park in 2009. With light pollution in cities impacting wildlife habitats, human health and biodiversity, finding places to enjoy the majesty of the night sky can be a challenge. For visitors to Scotland however, Dark Sky events at our Visitor Centre in Kirroughtree offer the perfect chance to stargaze. ...

Top ten perfect picnic spots

Friday, 20 April 2018

They say you should plan your meals, but never a picnic - and this is doubly true in Scotland, where even during peak summer time our weather can be changeable! Below, we've got suggestions for easy-to-access picnic spots near you, suggestions for snacks, main meals and drinks, and even some ideas for alternative activities and destinations, in case it starts to rain cats and dogs. Find th...

The Forest, episode 5

Monday, 05 February 2018

The popular documentary series, The Forest, is on tonight - BBC One Scotland at 19.30hours. Filmed over six months, the six part series gets views up close and personal with those who live and work in Galloway Forest Park. Our Community Projects Manager, Lyndy Renwick, based in Galloway, was involved with the filming. Here she gives us an insight into the filming and explains a bit about her...

Rob Mulholland's Skytower, Rawyards, Airdrie

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Image: Ashley Coombes / Rob Mulholland A new video of the visually striking Skytower sculpture at Rawyards near Airdrie has surfaced online this week, courtesy of YouTube channel Above Scotland. Created by artist Rob Mulholland in 2013, the 6-metre high sculpture was designed with the help of the local community, with assistance from children at local primary schools Clarkston and St ...

The Forest, episode 3

Monday, 22 January 2018

The Forest, BBC One Scotland’s new six part documentary series, returns to the screens tonight following the different people and timber related organisations that benefit from Galloway Forest Park.

Water voles thriving in the Trossachs

Monday, 15 January 2018

Water voles are recolonising restored wetlands in the Trossachs thanks to an ambitious re-introduction project. Over 1,000 animals were released into 1,700ha of restored wetland habitat on the National Forest Estate and are now thriving throughout the Trossachs. In November last year, this project was shortlisted for The Nature of Scotland Awards which gives recognition to conservation projects fo...

Walking into 2018: Four forest trails to explore

Tuesday, 09 January 2018

  For many of us, the start of a new year means making resolutions to get fit and active, and spend more time enjoying the outdoors. A little forward planning can help you stick to your new exercise programme – and the advantages of exercising outdoors cannot be overstated. With no costly gym memberships to worry about, and all of Scotland’s breathtaking natural beauty to explore, gett...

The Forest

Monday, 08 January 2018

Galloway Forest Park – the largest Forest Park in Britain – is set to star in a new BBC One Scotland documentary series on Monday 8 January at 19.30.    Filmed over six months, The Forest, follows all the different people and timber related organisations that benefit from Galloway Forest Park, showcasing how the National Forest Estate delivers and supports so many aspects of li...

'Tis the season! Christmas Tree Sales Centres open from 29 November

Wednesday, 27 December 2017

  This week marks the start of our annual Christmas Tree sale at forests and visitor centres across Scotland, with the grand opening of Tyrebagger Christmas Tree Sales Centre, on Thursday 29 November (pictured - keen customers, taking their tree to the till!), and all of our other centres open on 1 December or soon after. Check here to find a centre near you. Our staff a...

Show Us Your Baubles!

Thursday, 07 December 2017

Have you bought a beautiful, natural Christmas Tree from us this year? Share the love on social media - once your tree is safely home and decorated to perfection, take a picture with your loved ones and share it with us on Twitter using the hashtag #ShowUsYourBaubles.

Registration of the National Forest Estate

Monday, 04 December 2017

As Scotland moves towards a single system of registration for land and property titles, work progresses on adding all of the National Forest Estate (NFE) to the Land Register.  In May 2014 Scottish Ministers requested the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland to complete the Land Register and gave a commitment to ensure that all public land would be registered within 5 years. The land register...

Introducing the Forest Family Bags

Wednesday, 29 November 2017

Having a healthy relationship with the outdoors is an absolutely vital part of a child’s life. Outdoor play promotes good health, natural curiosity and environmental awareness, while providing an exciting alternative to more sedentary activities. In a world increasingly saturated with passive entertainment media and electronic distractions, the Forestry Commission want to help kids get back to...