Great walks of Scotland

Published On November 18, 2015 | By whistler | Uncategorized

Scotland is one of the most dramatic, scenic, and downright beautiful countries in the world. You will struggle to find anywhere with as much rugged natural beauty as this, and the great news is that it’s very easy to get out and explore that nature with simply the aid of a good pair of walking boots!

You don’t need to be a particularly experienced walker to enjoy the wonder of some of Scotland’s many walking trails, because even the longer distance routes allow you to complete simply a section. All the set routes are easily marked, and allow you to discover everything Scotland has to offer, passing through lochs, riverside villages, coastal paths, and past stunning mountain scenery. Put simply, this is nature at its best.

There are too many set walking trails to list, however these are five of the best, which will not only showcase some of the best of the country, but it’s also possible to cover not only the entire route, but a small section of it too.

Southern Upland Way

This particular walking trail was Britain’s very first coast to coast pathway, and it runs for 212 miles. Starting at Portpatrick on the south west coast, you head over to the east coast, finishing at Cockburnspath. This isn’t the easiest of walks if you want to complete it in its entirety, and there are rocky sections to take into account, however it is full of dramatic scenery, and there are smaller sections which are perfect for the less experienced walker. To complete the whole route will take you around 16 days maximum.

Three Lochs Way

As the name suggests, this particular walk will pass three lochs – Loch Lomond, Loch Greloch, and Loch Long. The route covers around 34 miles and can easily be done in 4 days maximum. This is a good walk for those wanting to simply complete a section, and the mountain backdrop is stunning, crossing the Highland Boundary Fault and Southern Highlands.

Speyside Way

This particular walk has undergone a few changes over time, with additions to the route, which now runs from Spey Bay in Ballindalloch, and ends in Aviemore, linking the Moray Coast with the imposing Grampian Mountains. This is a historic walk, which was opened back in 1981, and is one of the four official long distance walking routes in the country.

Fife Coastal Path

Wildlife lovers should certainly look towards this 117 mile walk, with many different levels on offer. If you want a challenge, look at the Lower Largo to Pittenweem section, and for a more chilled out wander, North Queensferry to Burntisland route is for you. During April to September you can head over to the beautiful Isle of May on the ferry, and visit the abundant wildlife.

West Highland Way

This 96 mile long walk passes through some seriously dramatic landscape. You will begin at Milngavie, and pass through Mugdock Country Park, lapping the shores of Loch Lomond. From there you will head over Rannoch Moor, passing Glencoe, over the Devil’s Staircase, and saying ‘hi’ to Glen Nevis, before you end your trail in Fort William. Not for the faint hearted, but certainly a dramatic and wonderful walk to complete.

Image by Alan Weir of Loch Ba in Scotland, under Creative Commons license.

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