Wednesday, 09 May 2018
The photo above, taken last week by one of our rangers in the North Highlands, shows a black grouse, with its unmistakable postbox-red crest and blue-black feathers. The ‘lekking’ season is when black grouse breed, and a few of our destinations have been affected - Carrick Forest Drive in Galloway Forest Park has seen a delay to planned roadworks in order to give the grouse population room t...
Tuesday, 01 May 2018
Scotland’s forests hold many secrets. Tales of the past echo in the stillness of the trees and ruins remain as a testament to days gone by. September 2018 is Scottish Archaeology Month, and what better way to celebrate than a journey into the past, and a whistle-stop tour of our top ten sites of archaeological interest… Archaeology in the forest 1. Knock Farril Pictish hill fort, Bla...
Thursday, 26 April 2018
Ospreys have returned to their nests at The Lodge in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Kirroughtree in Galloway Forest Park, and at Glentress in Tweed Valley Forest Park. As regular readers of our blog will know, these beautiful birds of prey migrate from Africa back to Scotland each year to breed and raise their young, returning to warmer climes in Autumn. Our feathered friends Now is the time of ye...
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. ...
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...
Monday, 05 February 2018
The popular documentary series, The Forest, is on tonight - BBC One Scotland at 19.30 hours. 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 ...
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 ...
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. Our Environment Forester, Gareth Ventress, was involved with the filming. Here he explains a bit about his role and gives us an insight into the filming. You’re an Environment Forester– what...
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 ...
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, gettin...
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...
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. Tag your local forest We'll re-share the best photos on Facebook and Twitter - remember to tag the Sales Centre where you bough...
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...
Tuesday, 28 November 2017
Photo: Prayer of The Woods by Charles Dawley (Creative Commons) Walking through the forests and national parks of North America, at some point you are bound to come across a version of the ‘Prayer of the Woods’. Usually carved on a plaque at the entrance to a forest trail, the ‘prayer’ takes the form of a short poem presented as an anonymous work. While its most common title is ‘Praye...