The Top 10 Walks in Scenic Scotland

Every year, thousands of tourists make their way to the heady Highlands of Scotland to enjoy the breathtaking views, wonderful landscapes and adventure. Those on activity holidays will want to get the most out of their trip; so we have created this wonderful guide to the top 10 walking locations in this beautiful country.

10. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Many people are shocked to hear that there is a former volcano in the centre of Edinburgh; many more can’t help but be intrigued. Arthur’s seat is a 251 metre-high extinct volcanic plug that thousands of walkers climb each year.

Many tourists take the road which will lead you to the 20-minute ascent to the summit; however, many purists begin the walk in the centre of the city, adding an extra hour to the journey.

The view from the top looks across the entire cityscape, which encourages visitors to ponder the history of the Scottish capital.

9. Lairig Ghru, Invernesshire

Not for the faint hearted, this 22-mile hike through the Cairngorms could break those without a high level of fitness.

This walk travels across high peaks and low valleys in one of Scotland’s most remote areas. Those with a tendency to fish may want to take equipment with them, as many fish live in the black water of the glaciated valleys. Some adventurous types may want to take a dip, but this should only be reserved for the warmest of the summer months.

8. Iona

Ramblers, hikers and tourists alike will fall in love with Iona. This beautiful windswept isle will fascinate even the most experienced walkers.

Future adventure holidays will never be the same again once you have explored the island which was once the burial ground for Scottish kings, centuries ago.

Iona is a mile from Mull and tourists each year flock to the iconic Iona Abbey, famed for its ninth century St Martin’s Cross, one of the greatest examples of a Celtic cross anywhere in the UK.

7. Portmahomack, Easter Ross

The history is Portmahomack may be surprising when you discover that it was a planned fishing village built in the 1700s. However, this tiny piece of Scotland is also home to a sixth century church and what historians believe to be a Pictish monastery.

All the street names are Norse and Portmahomack houses some wonderful places to stay. A scenic coastal walk can provide some fabulous views before heading home to put your feet up with a drink in its local pub.

6. Loch Carriagean cairn, Invernesshire

This historic cairn has been described by many as a hidden gem. After the turn of the century, the laying of rail track cut the cairn off from visitors and few people have visited since.

An hour’s walk from Aviemore will lead you to a series of cairns. Loch Carriagean has been mostly untouched by humans for just over a century and it will take your breath away.

To get to this hidden location, head towards Boat of Garten from Aviemore on the B9152. After around 2 km, turn right towards the quarry. Follow the road and cross the railway line, turn left and follow the track for around 1 km. The cairn is by the lock with a large pine tree growing in the centre.

5. Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is Britain’s highest mountain; as a result, it attracts hundreds of visitors every month.

Most visitors take the steep four-hour route to the summit, though purists prefer the much longer northern route.

Some adventurous climbers attempt the Three Peaks Challenge every year. The challenge encourages climbers to ascend the summits of Snowden, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in a single day. Although it is seen as an achievement to hit under 24 hours, some people have claimed times of around 15 hours or less; a remarkable achievement.

4. Dun da Lamh, Invernesshire

Dun da Lamh is a little more than just a scenic walk; it is also immersed in history.

The walk is fairly low level, through the Cairngorms, leading to an Iron Age fort at the summit of a 500-metre hill.

The fort itself is remarkable to look at, but the views across the landscape are fantastic. Looking out onto the river, you can almost see the history and imagine people wading through the river towards this spectacular frontier fort.

3. Beinn Alligin, Wester Ross

A Munro is a Scottish mountain that is over 3,000 ft in height; Beinn Alligin has two of them. Plenty of walkers love to come to the area to scale more than one hill in the day, giving them two opportunities to see some breathtaking views on just one car journey.

One highlight is the Horns of Alligin, the large gap that opens in the mountain. It is unadvised to attempt to walk during the winter months as ice and snow may cause problems in such a wild environment; furthermore, the summer sunset could not look more appealing than when draped over this stunning terrain.

There are plenty of old shepherds’ huts still standing in the area where farmers once lived hundreds of years ago. Those with a flair for archaeology may come to the area to dig, but ironically the best time would actually be in the winter, when a lot of the greenery has disappeared making it easier to target decent locations.

2. Quintag, Sutherland

This remote little nook of Scotland has become a favourite with many walkers as its steep cliffs and ridges provide a fun journey across this picturesque area.

A nearby car park will make things easier for those who may not want to start from the very bottom of this 800-metre summit, but either way the view from the top is very satisfying. Walkers will be able to look over what is a very ancient landscape filled with over 3.5 billion years of history.

The mountain actually translates as ‘milking stool’ in Gaelic and the name of the lower slopes (Airigh na Beinne) translates as ‘summer grazing’. The area was once a pasture for Scottish transhumance, who were eventually cleared from the land.

1. Sandwood Bay, Sutherland

Sandwood Bay is a beach hidden from everything in the middle of nowhere. Much like the beaches of remote Northumberland, it feels untouched by humans.

Ironically, the beach is directly next to Cape Wrath and as a result, the Vikings and Spanish Armada would have both sailed past this perfect bay.

Sandwood is exceptionally popular with day trippers despite its remote location. The bay is beautiful and an unforgettable place to enjoy lunch on a warm summer’s afternoon.

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2. Mountain Biking Holidays in Scotland