To help promote Children’s Mental Health week, Forestry and Land Scotland is inviting families and young people to visit a forest – and find out that a woodland walk works wonders.
Walks in Renfrewshire include The Bluebell Woods, Boden Boo, Rannoch Woods and Windyhill.
The theme for 2025 – “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself” – aims to give young people the space to boost their self-awareness be comfortable with who they are and build their self-esteem.
Stuart Chalmers, FLS’ National Visitor Services manager, said: “The ‘always-on’ aspects of modern life can stress many of us.
“For young people trying to grow up under digital scrutiny the pressures can be overwhelming.
“That’s why we’re inviting everyone to leave the technology behind, walk away from the bustle, and step out into the immersive experience of a woodland.
“We hear from many visitors that, taking five minutes to listen to the sounds of the woodland wildlife helps them to reset. I find that conversations with my family and friends are more relaxed and engaging when we walk and talk in the forest.
“A walk in the woods works wonders!”
Forests to visit in Renfrewshire:
Bluebell Wood
Fresh air and birdsong in the back garden of Johnstone. In spring the wood really lives up to its name.
More: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/bluebell-wood.
Boden Boo
A woodland and riverside beach beneath Erskine Bridge
More: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/boden-boo.
Rannoch Wood
A mature woodland of tall beech and sycamore trees.
More: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/rannoch-wood.
Windyhill
A gentle hill leading up through birch and oak woodland to views of Paisley, Glasgow and the Kilpatrick Hills and onwards to the Brandyburn waterfall.
More: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/windyhill.
The FLS website gives current information about the forests where clear-up work is still ongoing after storm Eowyn, so visitors are advised to always check before heading out.
Physical activity improves physical health and promotes positive thinking.
Mixed with fresh air, trees to brighten the mood and the peaceful calmness that alleviates stress, anxiety and the pressures of daily life, a woodland walk can make a huge difference to anyone’s state of mind.
One group that regularly enjoys the benefits is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) based at the New Gorbals Health and Care Centre, Glasgow.
Shona Ferguson, CAMHS Team Lead Occupational Therapist, and her colleagues make regular use of Cuningar Loop to offer young people therapeutic activities.
Shona said: “Bringing nature into everyday life benefits both mental and physical wellbeing. The outdoor setting led to increased enjoyment, participation, and improvement in sleep, self-esteem and motivation, across all areas of life.
“It supported young people and their parents / carers to identify the calming impact of a woodland setting in supporting self-regulation.”
“We are very grateful for this fantastic resource for the young people in our service to access. It provides purposeful, guided activity giving the young people and their family time to learn and reflect on outdoor opportunities. Having knowledgeable and friendly staff from FLS has been invaluable.”
Stuart added: “You don’t have to live in Glasgow or the bigger cities to take the opportunity to benefit from a walk in the woods – we look after forests all over Scotland.
“Why not take advantage of Children’s Mental Health Week and bring the family or some friends to one of our forests and see yourself in a different light.
“We are still dealing with the trees blown over in Storm Eowyn, so please check our website and follow any safety signage.”
Anyone taking the plunge is invited to go completely old-school, ditch the tech and simply follow the trail signs.
The more adventurous might like to use a paper map.