Back Wood

Back Wood sits just outside Sanquhar, a proper Lowland forest that doesn't advertise itself much but rewards a quiet afternoon walk. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear the burn running underneath the trees - Douglas firs and spruce mostly, mixed in with older deciduous woodland that changes colour brilliantly come autumn.

The paths aren't manicured, which is rather the point. You'll find yourself on forest trails that feel genuinely remote despite being minutes from the town. The canopy's dense enough that even on grey days - and there are plenty in Dumfries & Galloway - you get a sense of being properly away from things. Walking here takes a couple of hours if you're pottering about, less if you know where you're going.

It's best for people who actually like forests rather than just the idea of them. Children who'll happily spend two hours turning over logs and following streams will have a time of it; those after a quick Instagram moment might find it a bit too quiet. The ground can be boggy in places after rain, so decent boots aren't optional.

If you're staying at Sunnyside Lodges nearby, Back Wood makes an excellent morning or late afternoon escape. It won't take a full day of your holiday but it's the sort of place that settles into your bones - the kind of wood you'll think about on your commute home.