Forest bathing at Kergord Woods

Kergord, in the Weisdale valley in Central Mainland, holds the oldest and largest group of woods in Shetland. Planting began around Kergord House in the early 1900s, and more plantations followed on both sides of the road and up the western slopes, with further planting in the 1950s and again from the 1980s. The Sitka spruce here, around 20 metres high, are the tallest trees in Shetland, alongside Japanese larch, sycamore, noble fir, wych elm, ash, whitebeam and horse chestnut. In a treeless landscape, the sound of wind in the canopy is unusual and worth sitting with.

Head up the valley road north of Weisdale Mill and the Bonhoga Gallery. The woods are open at any time and free, but the paths are rough, with stiles and some fallen trees, so wear boots. Lindsay Lee is the largest plantation, and inside it is the ruin of a croft house left empty during the clearances. The woods draw birds rarely seen elsewhere in Shetland, such as blackcaps and chiffchaffs, and Britain's most northerly rookery is here.