New Dinosaur Trail in Michaelswood

Michaelswood is a popular picnic spot for locals and tourists alike located in the village of Aith, on the west mainland of Shetland. The young woodland area was developed in memory of Michael Ferrie, a young musician from the village who sadly passed away from cancer in 1996 at age 21.

This spring Michaelswood was awarded a £12,000 grant from the 'Bags of Help' charity run by Tesco Food Stores.

Over £11.5 million has been raised from the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores throughout England, Wales and Scotland and it is being used to pay for a large number of local projects to improve green spaces in communities up and down the country. Projects include building new pocket parks, sports facilities, woodland walks and community gardens.

Michaelswood was selected to receive a grant after winning a public vote run between the 27th of February and the 6th of March this year. Over eight million votes were cast and Michaelswood is the most northerly community project selected to receive the highest grant available. They have used it to create a Dinosaur Trail.

The sun shone brightly last Saturday so the children and I packed a picnic lunch and headed to Michaelswood for a look-see of the newly installed Dinosaur Trail.

Walking beneath the dense tree canopy of the lower wooded area to the upper area we were transported into a Jurrasic world where dinosaurs awaited around every corner.

Aith Junior High pupils were involved in this project too - they have created information boards explaining more about each of the species you encounter on the trail.

I haven't included photographs of all the dinosaurs on the trail; you'll have to come and visit Michaelswood yourself to see them all, but I assure you it's well worth the trip!

You can read more about Michaelswood on their website and keep up to date with their goings-ons by following their Facebook page.