Fairy trail in Newbattle woods for kids to enjoy

Four sisters from Dalkeith have created a magical A-Z fairy trail starting at Newbattle Abbey, and are encouraging local lockdown youngsters to get involved.

Two pairs of Sisters Lucy (grey top) and Sophie (rainbow top) Ward, Beth (black top) and Lily Thomson have created a magical A-Z Fairy trail starting at Newbatte Abbey.

Two pairs of sisters, Lucy (9) and Sophie Ward (7) and Beth (10) and Lily Thomson(7), spent four days planning and making the trail items at Woodburn Hub and After School Club, before taking five hours to set-up the trail in the woods.

The girls wanted to spread some joy to both young and old while out on a walk.

The idea is to find all 26 letters A-Z in the woods and to keep going until you find the rainbow at Z. Locals have added some creations to make this even more spectacular.

Lucy and Sophie have been attending the hub, as their mum Nichole McKeown is a frontline NHS worker.

Speaking about the girls’ fairy trail, Nichole said: “I had seen that a couple of people had done something similar locally.

“We walk in those woods regularly anyway for our daily exercise, so we thought it would be nice to have a fairy trail in the woods at Newbattle Abbey.

“Beth and Lily’s dad is also a key worker so we’ve had to do this around all off that.

“It’s quite educational as well. Those taking part feel they have got something to find next. I think people like it, and like feeling part of it.

“It has been very popular. It’s been great, we spend a lot of time on it. And people seem to be very appreciative.”

Nichole is glad to see the local community getting involved with the girls’ trail.

She said: “It’s nice for the girls to have something to do and it gives the community something to do.

“I think everyone is a bit demented. There is only so much work you can make a five-year-old do. So this has helped us massively.

“It makes those woods much busier than it was and puts off the unwanted element, like groups of teenagers.

“We only want people to add natural materials, we have had to remove a few things, but it’s not a huge issue. We are trying to keep it wildlife friendly.

“The Ranger is saying they could do something more permanent going forward.

“People who didn’t know about it should take their kids down. Just go down, get involved and enjoy it.

“It’s really nice that they can just play in the woods.”

How to find the fairy trail

If you are standing in front of Newbattle Abbey College, to the right there is a little brown bridge to cross the river. You need to cross the river and take a left. You will see a little wall. Take a right past the wall. Then head up the Hill where you will find some decorated rocks on the way.
The sisters have also created a Facebook page ‘Four Sisters Fairy Trail Newbattle Abbey’ for everyone to share there experience while walking the trail and post any new additions.

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