Pressmennan Wood

 Pressmennan Wood is hundreds, possibly thousands, of years old and is one of the last traces of ancient oak woodland in South-East Scotland. Among the oak are hazel and beech, shedding their appropriate seeds, and some remaining fast-growing conifers which were planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1950's. The wood is now run by the Woodland Trust Scotland.

In June of 2013 there was a variety of flowers and birds to be seen but today we saw only a few ducks and a couple of robins and very few flowers. All was not lost, however, the walk was under a blue sky and, despite my leaving my coat in the house, reasonably warm and still, giving perfect reflections of the far bank. Underfoot was a different matter, with many stretches of thick, red mud to be negotiated - unsurprising after a period of heavy rain.

We managed to walk the length of the lake (note, lake not loch) to the farthest part of the public area, then taking the high path parallel to the field to return - pleasant enough under the trees although less interesting down the main path. With the rising ground and undulations our 6km walk provided a good workout.

Prior to the walk we stopped in the small village of Stenton, where one resident, skilled in topiary, has a wonderful sense of humour. See what you make of the extra photo!