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15 of the Best Scenic Walks in Scotland
Scotland is a gold mine for scenic walks. Think majestic views, long trails, and even stunning statues, all guaranteed to give you a wonderful experience of the glorious Scottish countryside.
So, what are you waiting for? Read on and explore the best scenic walks in Scotland – we’ve rounded up our favourites for you!
1. Calgary Bay
Location: Isle of Mull
Distance: 3.1 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1.5 hours
If you want a relaxing walk by the coastline, try the Calgary Bay route on the Isle of Mule. Known for its colourful homes arranged beside each other in a single line, it’s a beginner-friendly walk that starts by paying a visit to the Calgary Art in Nature Gallery.
This trail is an art and design lover’s dream as it features various sculptures along the way. You’ll also get to walk through the rocky shores of beautiful Calgary Bay with its pristine white sand and crystal clear waters, perfect for a dip if you’re interested.
Pro tip:
Apart from the eccentric art installations, there’s an old rope swing and zip wire that you can enjoy with your kids – let your inner child loose!
2. Lochan Spling
Location: Stirling
Distance: 5.9 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2 hours
Lochan Spling is perfect for a short walk with the entire family – your dogs can even come along for the fun! The trail’s only 5.9 kilometres, taking around two hours to complete, so it’s suitable even for first-timers.
The route starts with a walk through the stunning River Forth as you eventually reach a forest path.
Then, you’ll get a chance to see unique statues along the way namely, a pike, dragonfly and osprey. They make for Insta-worthy stopovers in case you need to catch your breath.
Pro tip:
Aside from the statue itself, keep an eye out for an actual osprey flying around the area – who knows, this might be your lucky day to spot this million-year-old species!
3. Loch an Eilein
Location: Cairngorms National Park
Distance: 7 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2 hours
The Loch an Eilein Walk passes through the beautiful pine trees of Rothiemurchus Forest and the enchanting waters of the large loch.
It’s a hidden gem with nice, even paths that could suit first-timers who want to give this kind of activity a try. This experience also makes a great side trip from Cairngorms National Park, if you’re planning to go.
This path also offers a detour to Loch Gamhna if you’re interested. But if not, just cross another footbridge to complete your walk.
Pro tip:
As you walk through this trail, you’ll see a small cottage with the owner, Hazel, selling snacks and drinks. Stop by and say hello – or even buy some of their handmade items, like dog beds and lovely cushions!
4. Handa Island
Location: Sutherland
Distance: 6.4 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2.5 hours
The remote Handa Island in Sutherland is a great off-the-beaten-path option for your next walk. It’s home to over 100,000 colonies of various winged species like guillemots, razorbills, puffins and more, especially during the spring breeding season.
The trail starts once you get off the boat that takes you to the island. You’ll then discover various locations namely an old village last inhabited in 1847, a vast grassland plateau, the stunning Puffin Bay and the collapsed cave of Poll Ghlup.
Then at the end of the trail, you’ll reach Boulder Bay, a popular tourist attraction where you can watch several birds fly around. You might even get a glimpse of different sea creatures like dolphins and basking sharks from a distance.
Pro tip:
Once you get to the island, rent a pair of binoculars from the small visitor shelter. It helps you easily spot the birds and watch them closely as you walk around the place.
5. Loch Katrine
Location: Stirlingshire
Distance: 8.3 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 3.5 hours
The Loch Katrine trail is found inside Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It’s known for iconic scenes such as Nasmyth’s painting beside a lone figure holding a staff and the cliffs of Coire na Uruisgean.
The loch, itself, is a popular spot that’s been visited by well-known artists and poets over the years like the Wordsworths and Coleridge because of its pristine waters and breathtaking views.
You can complete your walk by taking a photo of the loch on the pier below Brenchachoile Lodge for the best view.
Pro tip:
All Loch Katrine trails are part of private property so a day permit is required for entry.
6. The Quiraing
Location: Isle of Skye
Distance: 3.4 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1.5 hours
Although short, don’t let the Quiraing trail trick you into thinking that it’s going to be a piece of cake. In fact, this moderately challenging walk involves getting up the mountain to get the best panoramic views of the Isle of Skye.
Before you officially start trekking up the mountain, you can take an early detour to the Sanctuary where you’ll find unique rock spires.
Although the terrain becomes steeper as you continue north, rest assured that it’s safe since it’s gravelled and well-maintained.
One of the best parts about this trail is reaching the Table, a big flat buttress that gives a stunning panoramic view of the Isle with sporadic rock formations and unique cliff faces.
Pro tip:
Look for the dinosaur footprints found near the An Corran beach at Staffin Bay that’s been there for 165 million years already.
7. Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle
Location: Aberdeenshire
Distance: 8.3 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3 hours
This moderately challenging trail in Aberdeenshire starts from the small fishing village of Stonehaven leading up to Dunnottar Castle. It’s a popular fortress in the British Isles that welcomed prominent figures like William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots.
Before reaching Dunnottar Castle, you should explore the rest of the trail and take photos. If weather permits, you’ll have a stunning view of the coastline and harbour from your left during your relaxing stroll.
You can go further to Castle Haven Bay for more cinematic views and of course, to see the main castle itself.
Pro tip:
Although the castle has an entrance fee of £9.50 per adult, it’s worth trying out, especially if it’s your first time. The ruins are intricately beautiful and properly preserved, making you feel like you went back in time through the experience.
8. Beinn Eighe
Location: Highland
Distance: 6.5 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3.5 hours
Known as the oldest and one of the highest National Nature Reserves in Britain, the Beinn Eighe is a perfect walking destination for all nature lovers.
Its trail goes through an ancient forest with unique wildlife species lurking around the area like sea eagles, red deer, pine martens and more.
After this forest full of pines – aka the Wood of the Grey Slope – you’ll reach the Torridon Hills with its base filled with Lewisian gneiss, three-billion-year-old rocks, and one of the oldest rocks in the world.
Once you reach the Conservation Cairn, the highest point of the trail, you’ll see stunning views of the Cairngorms mountains and dazzling lochans.
Pro tip:
As you start your trail, ignore the first bridge you see because that’s the exit for those who’ve already finished the walk. Stay on the left to get to the woods.
9. River Braan
Location: Perthshire
Distance: 9.6 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4 hours
The River Braan trail follows through the woodlands of Craigvinean Forest designed by the Dukes of Atholl in the 1700s. Once you walk through this path, you’ll feel like going back in time with its eerie surroundings and historically significant landmarks.
One of which is the Rumbling Bridge, above the flowing river itself, which Queen Victoria once visited in 1865. As you continue on this trail, you’ll also reach Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors, a rocky outcrop sitting over the Black Linn Falls.
Another spot you shouldn’t miss is the Birnam Oak, the last remnant of the ancient Birnam Wood featured in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Pro tip:
For the best view of the Black Linn Falls, stand by the balcony in Ossian’s Hall. There might be a queue for it if there are lots of visitors so be patient and wait for your turn – we’re sure you won’t regret it!
10. Ben Lomond
Location: Argyll and Bute
Distance: 12.3 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4.5 hours
Ben Lomond is the most-climbed peak of the Scottish Munros, reaching up to 974 metres for the direct ascent. It’s a challenging walk, but the magnificent views at the top are worth the effort.
Your journey starts near the pier at Rowardennan car park and you might encounter a few slippery rocks while you traverse the woods. But once you walk past the forest, you’ll be reaching your way to the summit.
If weather permits, you’ll see different peaks of Ben Nevis and the Goat Fell of Isle of Arran during your walk.
Pro tip:
For a more interesting trip down the trail, pass through the ‘ptarmigan’ ridge. It follows the natural slope of the hill back down to the side of the loch.
11. Suilven
Location: Sutherland
Distance: 8.8 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 5 hours
When we’re thinking about a challenging walk, we can never forget to mention the hike to one of the most alluring mountains of Scotland, Suilven. Reaching its top is no easy feat, as it takes around 5 hours to complete the trail.
It begins in Glencanisp Lodge, near Lochinver, and then you’ll pass through a series of lochs, bogs and moorland of the Inverpolly National Nature Reserve before you reach a wide and grassy pathway to the top.
One of the biggest challenges in this trail is when you use your hands to climb up the summit and not just your legs.
Pro tip:
Keep an eye out for different species like red deer, wildcats and mountain hares, which are usually found on the stalker’s path at the beginning of your trail.
12. Glenfinnan
Location: Highlands
Distance: 17 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 6 hours
One of the best highlights of the Glenfinnan trail is that you won’t have a difficult time navigating it. You start by walking up to Glenfinnan Viaduct then follow the single track going north along the River Finnan.
There’s also a Corryhully Bothy, a mountain shelter, part of the trail which you can visit and stay for a while, especially if the weather gets too cold.
As you forge ahead, the path gets narrower and tougher but once you reach the Bealach a-Chaorainn, you’ll feel every bit of effort worth it with delightful views of surrounding peaks, particularly Sgùrr an Fhuarain which is 901 metres high.
Pro tip:
The Glenfinnan Visitor Centre boasts a great view of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, popularly used as the Hogwarts route in the Harry Potter films. Make sure to get a snapshot if you’re a Potterhead!
13. Sandwood Bay
Location: Sutherland
Distance: 20.8 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 8 hours
The Sandwood Bay trail is located in a remote area but its tranquil surroundings and beautiful views are worth an adventure. The best highlight is strolling around the coastline with white sand, crystal clear waters and grassy dunes.
But walking around the area is not for the faint of heart because the entire hike takes an entire day with a total distance of 20.8 kilometres. The trail usually starts with a little loch hopping from Loch Aisir to Loch Clais nan Coinneal before reaching the bay.
After exploring the beach area, you should go to Strathchailleach, where James McRory Smith – a popular recluse – lived in a tumbledown cottage.
Pro tip:
As you head to the beach area, make a quick detour to Sandwood Lodge for a beautiful panoramic view of the bay and Sandwood Loch.
14. Glen Sligachan
Location: Isle of Skye
Distance: 17.1 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 8 hours
Taking around 8 hours to complete, the Glen Sligachan walk is a big test for any adventure junkie. It’s an arduous 17.1-kilometre trail that’ll push you out of your comfort zone.
Although it’s an easy path to follow, the terrain gets rockier as you forge forward. Once you reach Allt nam Fraoch-Choire River, you’ll be greeted with an expanse of boulders blocking your way.
Should you overcome these obstacles, you’ll reach Loch an Athain, which will reward you with picture-perfect views.
Pro tip:
At the end of the trail – in the hamlet to be precise – there’s a bus that takes you back to Sligachan where you started.
15. Ben Nevis
Location: Highland
Distance: 15.6 kilometres
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 10 hours
Ben Nevis – or as we call it The Ben – is a tall summit reaching up 4,411 feet above sea level found near the small town of Fort William. It’s one of the most visited places in the area with over 100,000 visitors yearly.
Offering stunning views from its summit, it offers one of the best scenic walks in Scotland that you wouldn’t want to miss. Plus, it’s an adrenaline-packed experience that’ll keep your heart pumping for more.
One big hurdle in this trail is when the path becomes rockier and steeper as you go up to the Red Burn. Ideally, you should not visit in winter because the snow on your feet during this walk would be a big problem, especially during your ascent.
Pro tip:
There are three main accident-prone areas going up to Ben Nevis: the Gardyloo Gully, Coire Eoghainn and Five Finger Gully. To avoid getting into these danger zones or straying off the way, use the ‘dog-leg’ technique.
It entails walking a path, like a dog’s leg if you look at it on a map, around the top of Gardyloo Gully. It starts with heading on 231 degrees of Grid Bearing for 150 metres.
Then switch it to 232 degrees until you reach down the slopes, and see large marker cairns that indicate you’re on the right ‘zig-zag’ path.
