Forestry Commission - News - dumfries and galloway gears up for magical day in the forest

Families in Dumfries and Galloway can enjoy an action-packed day in the forest next week.

Hosted by Forestry Commission Scotland, Ae Magic Day will take place next Friday (July 25) at Ae Forest, where kids can enjoy scores of free activities such as archery, axe throwing demonstrations and a climbing wall.

For younger children there will also be a bouncy castle and story-telling, while older kids will enjoy the chainsaw carving and forestry machine demonstrations.

Animal lovers will be able to find out about some of the forest’s inhabitants in the fascinating Wildzone, and enjoy birds of prey displays.

Ae Magic Day is just one of dozens of events being held across Scotland this summer as part of Forestry Commission Scotland’s Active Woods campaign to encourage people to take exercise in Scotland’s forests.

Robin Fuller, of Forestry Commission Scotland, hopes Ae Magic Day will let more families see what their local forest has to offer.

He said: “The idea behind Ae Magic Day is to encourage families to get into the forest together and see for themselves just how much we have going on here.

“Forests are great places to relax and exercise, but this event will be adding a magical touch to Ae Forest with all the activities and displays on offer.
“Friday’s event is free of charge and parents are guaranteed exhausted kids by the end of it!”

Other attractions on offer during the day include a merry-go-round, a live steel band and the chance to see the inside of a fire engine and meet officers from Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue.

Families can re-charge their batteries with sandwiches and snacks in the new Ae café which has just opened in the forest.

Ae Magic Day is free of charge and there is no need to book in advance. Activities will run from 10am-3pm.

Ae Forest is signposted off the A701 road to Moffat,10 miles north of Dumfries.
For more information about Ae Magic Day or other events in the forests around Dumfries over the summer, call the local Forestry Commission Scotland office on 01387 860 247.

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, log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods or telephone 0845 FORESTS (0845 367 3787).

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, an amazing natural resource to explore.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office - 0131 314 6507

Robin Fuller, Ae Forest District – 01387 860 247