CHILDREN PAID a visit to Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park yesterday to help traditional woodworker Robin Wood carve a giant wooden Douglas fir cone.

The sculpture will remain on-site as part of a wider Big Tree Country Interpretation initiative managed by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust.

Youngsters also enjoyed a series of other workshops including willow working, traditional rope and broom making and green wood-turning.

A further workshop from Tay Forest District Forest Enterprise saw them helping build a front porch on to a woodland shed.

All timber for the porch is sourced from the hill, giving children a chance to make the connection between trees and their daily uses.

“Outdoor learning is of vital importance in allowing children to understand their place in the world and to make connections to their environment,” said senior countryside ranger Niall Lobley, who helped organise the event.

Anyone interested in learning more can participate in free, hands on workshops and help finish the sculpture at today’s Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park user group open day.