Forest bathing at Cumbernauld Glen

Cumbernauld Glen is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve of nearly 120 hectares, a patchwork of ancient woods and meadows that sits right alongside the town. The heart of it is mature oak woodland, and in late spring you can hear wood warblers and other songbirds in the canopy. There is a sixteenth century doocot in the glen, a reminder that this was once estate land around Cumbernauld House.

Most people start from the car park opposite Cumbernauld Theatre, walk the short footpath towards Cumbernauld House, and pick up the Cumbernauld Glen waymarker at the next junction. There is an extensive path network and several other entrances on foot from the surrounding streets, which makes it easy to reach without a car. A popular mountain bike trail also runs through the reserve, so if you want quiet, keep to the walking paths under the oaks and away from the bike route.