Forest bathing at Callendar Wood

Callendar Wood is at least 500 years old and covers about 95 hectares on the hill behind Callendar House, the old family seat that is now a museum. It has old oaks, sweet chestnuts, groves of yew and tree lined avenues, with the Forbes family mausoleum, Victorian kennels, mining remains and a hill fort tucked among the trees. Being right on the edge of Falkirk, it is one of the easiest places in the area to get into proper old woodland.

There is no car park at the wood itself. Most people start at Callendar House and pick up one of two Forestry and Land Scotland routes. The Yew Trail is a two mile loop past Callendar Loch and the mausoleum through native oak woodland; the High Road is longer and follows the old carriageways lined with specimen trees. Both are mostly firm tarmac and gravel with long moderate slopes and regular places to rest. The park below gets busy; the wood above is quieter.