There’s a feature in our Feel-good Special about Britain’s nature hotspots — some of the best places in the country to go to see our autumn flora and fauna at their finest.
We all have our favourite places to go. And while we can’t yet travel freely to explore the best of the British Isles, many of us can still visit close-by locations.
This time of year, we’ve got some real gems up here in Central Scotland.
My sister came up recently with her family to stay at Pitlochry. We went up to visit her daily, catching up in cafes and take walks amongst the autumn scenery.
It was a lovely week, and I’m so glad we did it when we did.
It was the very day she returned back down to England that the country went into lockdown again.
Big Tree Country
Photograph by Alex Corlett.
Perthshire’s known as “Big Tree Country“, so it’s one of the first places we like to go when the colours change. It was great to have an excuse to be up there.
There was autumn colour everywhere, and it doesn’t half help you forget all that’s going on at the moment.
Nature is working hard this year to keep our spirits up!
Loch Faskally
Photograph by Alex Corlett.
Loch Faskally and the woods of the same name are a fabulous place for a walk, just a short wander outside of the town centre.
Photograph by Alex Corlett.
We just popped down to the shore and skimmed some stones before the rain came over and we headed in to the Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre.
Pitmedden
Photograph by Alex Corlett.
Even in the woods just down the road, some of the pines had turned the most glorious bronzey-gold — glowing, even on the rainy day I was there.
For me, it helps as much as any meditation to restore a bit of balance back to your thoughts. I think the Japanese have it right with their concept of shinrin-yoku, or forest-bathing. Time in the woods is time well spent!
Autumn inspiration near you
Anyway, if you’re looking for a bit of restorative time in the great outdoors this autumn, you’ll find some fab seasonal walks in the woods on the (organisation formerly known as) Forestry Commission website for England, and the one for Scotland.
And don’t forget, our Feel-good Special is still on sale, to help you plan trips for the easier days that will surely come soon.
For more from Features Ed Alex, read his blog here.
Alex Corlett I am the "Friend's" Features Editor, working with the talented Features Team to bring you everything from cryptic crosswords to financial advice, knitting patterns to international travel and inspirational real life stories. Always on the hunt for a new feature idea, I also enjoy cycling and love a good tea room.
