Important

Many of our destinations have been affected by Storm Bram. Please follow all local signage and check ahead of visiting for local closures.

We are prioritising tree clearance work based on immediate danger and/or access issues.

Tourism and recreation

Tourism and recreation

Tourism, communities and our visitor strategy

We manage some of the best places to visit in Scotland. With over 300 destinations including:

  •  six Forest Parks
  • mountains
  • riversides
  • lochs
  • waterfalls
  • beaches
  • over 1200 kilometres of waymarked trails

We look after some of the most iconic views in the country, from Tay Forest park in Perthshire to Glen Affric in the west Highlands. 

But it’s not just about rural areas, we also maintain lots of urban woodlands, including Cuningar Loop Woodland Park in the heart of Glasgow. Wherever you are, a gentle stroll or woodland adventure is never far away.

Famliy of five with the three children running towards camera

Our Visitor Strategy

Cover image for a document, showing a family walking outside with overlaid graphics

We're the largest provider of outdoor recreation opportunities in Scotland.

We want to help you get out more and enjoy Scotland’s national forests and land. We want people to be able to take part in outdoor activities, connect with nature, and experience the benefits of Scotland's land.

We have a Visitor Strategy to help us achieve this over the next ten years. It sets out our aims and priorities for the future and will help us build an action plan. 


 

 

 

Our priorities

  •  Maintaining walking and biking trails to promote fun in the outdoors
  • Focussing on improving entry level experiences for everyone to enjoy health benefits
  • Removing barriers to ensure that people from all backgrounds can and do access the full range of benefits of the national forests and land
  • Enabling outdoor learning and encouraging schools and community groups to make use of the national forests and land
  • Facilitating renewable energy opportunities to encourage community benefits
  • Encouraging renewable energy developers to give communities a chance to own part of projects on national forests and land
  • Engaging communities in decisions relating to the management of the national forests and land
  • Continuing to support and enable communities to make use of the national forests and land to benefit their communities

Access for everyone

Scotland’s national forests and land host around ten million visits each year. We're striving to make forests and visitor experiences more accessible to everyone. Our work encourages people from all backgrounds and communities to enjoy the national forests and land. We aim to make our visitors smile, providing quality experiences that enrich lives. Welcoming and helping visitors is everyone’s business in the organisation.

Working with Scotland's communities

As Scotland’s largest land manager we play a key role in supporting the Scottish Government’s land reform plans.

We help local communities explore ways to own, lease, or use land. If you're interested in getting involved with your local forest or woodland, we’re here to support you. You can read our community strategy to find out about the different ways to take part—from sharing ideas and working together, to leading your own projects. 

Communities also have the right to use or buy land through our Community Asset Transfer Scheme.

Children sitting on logs during an outdoor learning class

Visitor profile research and other guidance

Find out more