Over 5,000 years ago, Scotland was entirely covered in forest, but today only about 4% of the nation is made up of native woods. Below are the seven largest forests in Scotland to get you close to nature.
1. Galloway Forest Park
The largest forest area in the UK is Galloway Forest Park, which spans a massive 770 square kilometers. It is situated in Dumfries & Galloway and was the first region in the UK to get the designation of Dark Sky Park.
2. Dornoch Forest
Dornoch Forest in Sutherland is the second-largest forest in Scotland, with a land area of 260 square kilometers. Camore Wood, with its intriguing archeological background and indigenous pine trees, is part of it.
3. Argyll Forest Park
Argyll Forest Park in Argyll and Bute includes 210 square kilometers of woods and walking trails. It is situated on the Cowal peninsula. It was the first forest park established in the UK and runs from the Holy Loch in the south to the Arrochar Mountains in the north. It was founded in 1935.
4. Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
In honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, the 200 square kilometer Queen Elizabeth Forest Park was created in 1953. It is a portion of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and is home to many well-known tourist attractions, such as Loch Ard and Lake Katrine.
5. Affric Forest
Affric Forest, a 180 square kilometer area of forest, is a section of Glen Affric in the Scottish Highlands, around 15 miles west of Loch Ness. It is Scotland’s third-largest ancient Caledonian pinewood region.
6. Tay Forest Park
One of Scotland’s most breathtaking views, Queen’s View, can be found in the 170 square kilometer Tay Forest Park in Perthshire. Visitors can tour a homestead from the 18th century and a crumbling Pictish ring fort in Allean Forest.
7. Glengarry Forest
Glen Garry Forest covers an area of 165 square kilometers and is located in the Highlands near the River Garry. It provides a variety of walking pathways surrounded by mature conifers, broad leaves, and old-growth pines.