FAMILIES URGED TO STEP OUT INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Families can swap their slippers and Sunday afternoon snooze for an adrenaline-fuelled adventure this weekend, when local rangers host an Outdoor Pursuits Day.
If your experience of outdoor pursuits is limited to walking to your car every day, the event has something for everyone – including the family dog who will be put through his paces on an assault course.
Hosted by Forestry Commission Scotland, the event will take place at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre on Sunday (August 13) and is part the Commission’s Active Woods campaign to encourage more people to enjoy activities in Scotland’s national woods and forests.
There will be plenty of entertainment on offer, including displays from a local equestrian club, gun dog group and mountain bike stunt team.
Local sports clubs and outdoor organisations will be on hand with demonstrations and details of how to get involved in activities such as climbing and cycling.
And if you fancy trying out some outdoor activities yourself, there will be several opportunities on the day, from guided bike rides through the forest to a purpose built climbing frame.
Bikes for adults and children will be available to hire on the day. And anyone who gets a taste for cycling can return to Kirroughtree next Friday (August 18) for a Family Bike Ride.
Lucy Hadley, of Forestry Commission Scotland, says the day is sure to be a big hit with families keen to make the most of the final weeks of the holidays.
She said: “We want to raise awareness of the huge variety of things people can do in their local forest and to introduce them to the local clubs and groups involved in outdoor pursuits, such as the adventure scouts. Forests are peaceful places but they can also be exciting, especially if you’re biking on the world-famous 7stanes trails.
“Outdoor Pursuits Day is all about showing people what’s on offer and letting them try out some of the activities for themselves. Even pets can get in on the action with a specially designed assault course of hoops and fences to test their agility and obedience. And if your pooch won’t toe the line, the local gun dog group will be on hand with tips on how to train him."
Activities will be running between 11am – 4pm on Sunday (August 13) and most are free of charge, although there is a small charge for some activities such as the climbing wall.
There is no need to book in advance and families should report to Kirroughtree Visitor Centre (Galloway Forest Park, on the A75 about two miles east of Newton Stewart) between 1030 and 1700 hours.
For more information about Outdoor Pursuits Day, or the Family Bike Ride, call local forest ranger Lucy Hadley on 01671 402 420.
Forestry Commission Scotland’s Active Woods campaign aims to help improve the nation's health and well-being by encouraging more people to enjoy activities in Scotland’s national woods and forests.
For more information about the Forestry Commission Scotland’s Active Woods campaign log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods or telephone 0845 FORESTS (0845 367 3787).
Ends.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive’s forestry department and is the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Scotland. Each year, around 20 million people visit its forests and woodlands which cover over 17% of Scotland’s land mass – an amazing natural resource to explore.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6507
Lucy Hadley, Galloway Forest District – 01671 402 420
e-mail: steve.williams@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |