Forest bathing at Torrieston

Torrieston is part of the Monaughty Forest, a few miles south west of Elgin on the road to Pluscarden. Its giant Douglas firs were among the first trees the Forestry Commission planted, in the 1920s, and now stand over 40 metres tall. Around them are pinewoods with benches and picnic tables, and the Black Burn runs nearby, where salmon and otters have been seen. It is a calm, sheltered place to sit among very big trees.

Trails start from the Torrieston car park and run through woodland on both sides of the road. The gentle all-abilities loop is across the road from the car park and is the easy option if you want level ground. Red squirrels and roe deer are about, and in spring the gorse along the edges smells of coconut. There are no toilets on site, so plan around Elgin or Forres. Harvesting elsewhere in Monaughty can mean diversions, so follow the signs.