Forest bathing at Foggieton

Foggieton sits just south of Countesswells, above Bieldside, and Forestry and Land Scotland describe it as the smaller and quieter of the two. Its Doric name means mossy farm, and the old farm walls still run between the trees. The longer Ladyhill Trail passes through beech woodland planted more than 150 years ago, while the shorter Warblers Trail goes through new native woodland planted after storm-damaged trees were cleared.

The car park is on Baillieswells Road, a short drive up from the North Deeside Road. Because it is less visited than its neighbour, this is a good choice if you want to stop and sit for a while without much passing traffic. The beech wood is at its best in autumn, when the paths fill with leaves, and in spring and early summer the young woodland is busy with warblers. Late summer brings berries along the edges. Paths are forest trails rather than surfaced paths, so wear boots after rain.