Forest bathing at Balkello Community Woodland

Balkello Community Woodland sits on the slopes of the Sidlaw Hills just north of Dundee, near Auchterhouse. The trees are young, native species planted in the 1990s for wildlife, so this is open, light woodland rather than deep forest, with an open grassy area above small ponds and a stream. From Balkello Hill there is a sweeping view over Dundee and the Angus coast, with Auchterhouse and Balluderon hills close by.

Three trails leave the car park. The shortest is about half a kilometre on firm gravel with gentle slopes; the Woodland Wander and the Raven Trail are longer, on uneven grass with rough, narrow and sometimes very muddy sections, and one long steep slope on the longest. Look out for the Standing Stone of Balkello and the Syd Scroggie Cairn. The picnic area by the ponds is a good place to stop, and the open hill beyond leads on into the Sidlaws.