{"id":11220,"date":"2014-07-16T07:49:54","date_gmt":"2014-07-16T07:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/?p=11220"},"modified":"2014-07-16T07:49:54","modified_gmt":"2014-07-16T07:49:54","slug":"9-million-visits-to-national-forests-last-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/9-million-visits-to-national-forests-last-year\/","title":{"rendered":"9 million visits to National Forests last year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"foreest\"<\/a>A recent survey carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland has revealed that 9.1 million visits are made to the National Forest Estate every year, with walking by far the most popular activity.<\/p>\n

72% said they visited a forest to walk, with around 8% cycling, and the remainder enjoying sightseeing, wildlife and picnics.<\/p>\n

Scotland\u2019s national forests are also contributing to the tourism economy. It is estimated that around 77 per cent of people spend money during their forest trip.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the All Forests Survey 2, Environment & Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: \u201cForestry Commission Scotland is the largest provider of outdoor recreation in the country with hundreds of popular woodland walks, world class biking trails and welcoming visitor centres.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is very positive news that we are seeing so many people visiting the National Forest Estate and taking the opportunity to enjoy Scotland\u2019s outstanding natural environment. The Scottish Government is keen to capitalise on this success by widening out better access to our woodlands and providing a greater range of ways for people to enjoy them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other findings from the All Forests Survey 2 are:<\/p>\n

\u2022 77 % of visitors live in Scotland and 15% elsewhere in UK;
\n\u2022 8 % of forest visitors being from overseas;
\n\u2022 June, July and August are the months when most are likely to visit;
\n\u2022 33 % of visits are taken by people on a holiday or short break;
\n\u2022 the average visit is for about 1hr 30 mins; and
\n\u2022 the average age of a visitor is 46.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A recent survey carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland has revealed that 9.1 million visits are made to the National Forest Estate every year, with walking by far the most popular activity. 72% said they visited a forest to walk, with around 8% cycling, and the remainder enjoying sightseeing, wildlife and picnics. Scotland\u2019s national forests are also contributing to the tourism economy. It is estimated that around 77 per cent of people spend money during their forest trip. Commenting on the All Forests Survey 2, Environment & Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: \u201cForestry Commission Scotland is the largest provider…<\/span> <\/p>\n

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