Going down to the woods 'healthy'

Speakers will discuss the health benefits of woodland

Spending time in woods and forests helps to boost mental and physical wellbeing, the Community Woodlands Association has suggested.

The Ullapool-based organisation will host a one-day event in Inverness on Friday where speakers will discuss the benefits of such areas.

Seventy delegates expected to attend include countryside rangers, land managers and health workers.

The association is also holding its annual conference at the weekend.

Speakers at Friday's event include Highland Council's planning, environment and development committee chairman Ian Ross and NHS Highland health promotion specialist Dan Jenkins.

Also speaking will be Dr Rebecca Lovell, a social scientist working for Forest Research, and Hugh Fife, of Woods for All which promotes the interests of people with disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health problems.