Forest bathing at Quarry Wood

Quarry Wood, often called Quarrelwood, is a hilltop woodland just west of Elgin, looking out towards the Moray Firth. A network of paths runs through pines, larch and native oakwood, and the ancient oaks on the east side of the hill are an easy walk from town. The old sandstone quarries that give the wood its name have produced reptile fossils around 250 million years old, some of them now in Elgin Museum.

The Leggat car park is just off the A96, up the Rosebrae road. From there the paths wind up and around the hill, and the oakwood is the place to slow down. If you move quietly you may see roe deer, and in spring great spotted woodpeckers drum on the deadwood. Waymarked routes make it easy to stay on track, and a green mountain bike trail runs through part of the wood. There are no toilets on site; the nearest are in Elgin.