I’ve lived in Scotland my whole life – but it’s only been since I entered my 30s that I’ve woken up to what’s on my doorstep. In my younger years, I rarely left Edinburgh, and would choose to spend my spare time in other big cities, such as Glasgow, Newcastle or London. Now, I’ve discovered the magic of some of Scotland’s forests, hills and glens, and there’s no going back.
As National Trust for Scotland members, my family and I have spent a lot of time in the last few years visiting its properties – we’ve shared plenty of special moments exploring castles, strolling through gardens and relaxing with tea and cake in the cafés. But recently I came across a concept that made me want to visit a site solo: forest bathing.
I’ll admit that when I first heard the term, I dismissed it – thinking it was another version of wild swimming. The idea of dunking myself into a river during winter in Scotland was about as appealing as brushing my teeth with a thistle. But it turns out that forest bathing has nothing to do with water at all, and is essentially a method of mindful relaxation. Originally a Japanese practice, it involves being calm and quiet while breathing deeply among trees to reduce stress levels and ultimately boost your wellbeing.
The towering trees at the Hermitage in Perthshire
As most of my work involves writing, planning and creating, I spend a lot of the week in front of a screen. Although I try to read as much as I can, I often find my ‘me time’ consists of watching a film, or worse – doom scrolling on my phone before bed. With the days being so fast-paced, my mind kept returning to the idea of forest bathing, wanting to completely disconnect with my digitally saturated life and immerse myself in some spectacular surroundings.
My location of choice was the Hermitage in Perthshire, home to some of the tallest trees in Britain, and (spoiler alert) one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever visited. The forest is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland but is free to enter (a small parking fee applies for non-members). Just steps away from the car park, I was suddenly surrounded by Douglas firs up to 200ft tall – some over 200 years old – and an instantly relaxing soundtrack from the River Braan.
After walking along a footpath deeper into the forest, I found a peaceful spot near the iconic waterfall with some perfectly placed benches to enjoy the view. Sitting completely alone, staring out at the water among the trees, was one of the most peaceful things I’ve ever experienced. It sounds like a cliché, but I really did feel connected with nature. A robin perched on the seat next to me and, in that moment, I would not have been surprised if it had said hello.
Looking out at Hermitage Bridge over the River Braan
I then tried a bit of meditation. The only time I’ve really attempted breathwork like this is during the cool-down after a yoga class, so I wasn’t expecting much. But as I worked to clear my mind and focus only on inhaling and exhaling, I found that it was far more magical concentrating on my breath when I could hear birdsong and the soothing sounds of the waterfall, instead of someone’s rumbling stomach or throat clearing.
For a true forest-bathing experience, it helps to focus on all sensory elements. During my breathwork, my sense of smell seemed to heighten and the damp leaves underfoot almost felt like they were right under my nose. Studies into this practice have shown that people tend to relax the most when looking at greens and blues; the clear blue of the water and greeny brown autumnal tones of the leaves certainly left me feeling serene.
I know there are a lot of wellness fads flying around these days, but I left the Hermitage feeling assured this isn’t one of them; in fact, I can confidently say that forest bathing is one of my new favourite things. When I returned from my session, I had a crying toddler, a mountain of work and countless errands to deal with. But, instead of letting it get to me, I closed my eyes and pictured myself back in the forest and regained an immediate sense of calm, feeling much lighter as I faced the day ahead.
My time forest bathing at the Hermitage was incredible, and I’m keen to repeat the experience at other National Trust for Scotland sites, such as the wooded gorge of Killiecrankie and the riverside Linn of Tummel. But even on days when time doesn’t allow for me to make the drive to these more scenic spots, I’ve started to adopt pieces of the practice in my garden and local park – slowing down and breathing deeply. Wherever I go, I’ve found that sitting in a green space, with no goal other than to experience the surroundings, is a powerful way to ease my stress levels and improve my mood. It’s just another reason that the great outdoors can truly be that – if you take the time to really embrace it.
The National Trust for Scotland is an independent charity, funded by members and supporters. Its purpose is to protect, care for, share and champion Scotland’s heritage, treasured places and natural landscapes, now and for future generations. Plan your visit and support its valuable work at nts.org.uk
