Woodland floors carpeted with lightly scented bluebells have to be one of the most wonderful sights in Scotland in May and June. In Perthshire, we think the best place to see them in all their glory is undoubtedly Kinclaven Bluebell Wood.

Kinclaven Bluebell Wood is The Woodland Trust’s only dedicated bluebell site and in season it benefits from volunteers on site who help you to park, provide directions and help protect the bluebells.

Protecting the bluebells is very important, as they are surprisingly delicate and feet and paws trampling them does serious damage. This is why it’s so important to stay on the paths — otherwise you could be undoing centuries of growing, which is how long it takes for such a bluebell carpet to develop. And this particular woodland is properly ancient, as the Trust has discovered woodland here dating back to 1263!

It doesn’t take long to discover for yourself just how special this site is — just moments after leaving the car park you’ll be gasping at the ocean of blue that meets your eyes. It is truly spectacular.

A circular walk, the left hand path features interesting undulations of the ground, beautiful old beech trees and, of course, the never-ending purple flowers, creating a view you could never get tired of. Additional layers of loveliness are added by the cheery birdsong and lightly blossom-scented air.

Even if you go at a busy weekend, there’s plenty of room for everyone who visits, and also a very nice atmosphere — people greets you as you by and quite often remarks are exchanged about how lovely it all is. It’s the kind of beauty that brings people together under a general umbrella of enjoyment.

About half way round you’ll find a beautiful beech clearing, where we usually stop for a small picnic — such as a hot chocolate and a doughnut — while sitting on one of several fallen logs. We think it is very important to spend a moment just stopping and drinking it all in, otherwise the tendency can be to rush around because we want to see more and more bluebells. But they’ve been there for hundreds of years, so it’s okay to take a break, let the sights, smells and sounds of the woods really sink in, and be sure to take a few long deep breaths.

The second half of the walk offers some slightly different scenery, with the ground to the left more open hillside, with the bluebell woods a shady haven on the right. Then the path dips down into an atmospheric hollow with EVEN MORE bluebells. Finally, the landscape changes completely for the last few minutes, entering a coniferous forest before reaching the car park again.

The circular path at Kinclaven Bluebell Woods is not a long walk, perhaps an hour if you don’t stop (although please do), sometimes slightly muddy in places but very accessible and suitable for the whole family— as long as children and dogs can keep to the path.

You’ll want to have a camera or phone camera with you, but again, we do suggest taking a moment without those things to just look and experience it without a lens or screen in between. It’s a sight that only happens once a year after all, and we’re so fortunate to have such a site in Perthshire. Make sure it’s on your must-do list for May.