10 of Scotland's best walks that you might not have heard of

1. The Two Passes

Glen Coe
Scotland’s most fabled glen, Glen Coe draws hordes of tourists to its atmospheric peaks and valleys. This is probably the finest walk in the Glen Coe area that does not entail climbing a summit, though there is still an ascent of 2,100 feet (640m) to be made. The passes of Lairig Eilde (‘pass of the hinds’) and Lairig Gartain (‘pass of the ticks’) form a circular walk right round Buachaille Etive Beag, one of the area’s most iconic peaks. Be warned that the conditions are rough going, with plenty of bog to contend with as well as wading through streams. It is recommended only in dry conditions – and not wearing shoes that you care about!

Start

Upper Glen Coe

Distance

9 miles (14.5km)

Height gain

2,200 feet (670m)

Approximate time

5 hours

Parking

Car park at the start of the walk

Route terrain

Rough and boggy, requiring several stream crossings

Ordnance Survey maps

Landranger 41 (Ben Nevis, Fort William & Glen Coe), Explorer 384 (Glen Coe & Glen Etive)

2. Coldingham Bay and St Abb’s Head

Despite being just off the busy A1, St Abb’s Head has a feeling of rugged remoteness. It is one of the most spectacular sections of the eastern coastline, a progression of high sandstone cliffs twisting back from tiny coves and towering stacks. This clifftop walk encompasses the popular beach at Coldingham – a great spot for a picnic – and the headland nature reserve, where you’ll be joined by thousands of nesting seabirds. The walk returns via the lovely inland Mire Loch (where more birds can be spotted) and an ancient path that was once used by monks and fishermen. There are sheer drops over the precipice at certain points, so this route may be unsuitable for young children or dogs off the lead.

Start

Coldingham Bay, ¾ mile (1.2km) east of Coldingham village

Distance

5 ¾ miles (9.1km)

Height gain

935 feet (285m)

Approx time

3 hours

Route terrain

Clear paths and tracks, cliff edge

Ordnance Survey Guidebook

Pathfinder 88, walk 16

3. Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie

Found near the fairytale village of Boat of Garten, otherwise known as the ‘Osprey Village’, this walk explores a forested part of Abernethy National Nature Reserve. Spring and summer are the best time to see these magnificent birds (especially while breeding) but the lush pine forest also provides habitat for rare species like Scottish crossbill, crested tit, capercaillie, red squirrel and pine marten. The walk follows two waymarked trails: Big Pines, which runs under some of the oldest trees, and Two Lochs, which has views over both Loch Garten and smaller Loch Mallachie. A truly magical place to spend time reconnecting to nature. A small word of warning, during the ground-nesting bird breeding season (1 April to 15 August), dogs are to be kept on a lead at all times to avoid disturbing capercaillie and their young.

Start / Finish

RSPB Loch Garten

Distance

3.2 miles / 5.1 km

Approx time

1½ hours

Route terrain

Well-made paths on the whole, but with two short rough sections 

Ordnance Survey Guidebook

Aviemore and the Cairngorms - Short Walks Made Easy, Walk 4

4. Scald Hill and the two Kips, Pentland Hills

Rising immediately to the south of Edinburgh, the Pentland Hills provide an wonderful escape from the noise of the city centre. This long – but gradual climb – leads away from the scenic Threipmuir Reservoir to central ridge of the Pentlands.  As might be expected, the views from the ridge path, to the left across the Pentlands to the Firth of Forth and to the right across the lowlands to the Lammermuir Hills, are magnificent. With plenty of steep climbing involved, this walk is a considerable exertion and needs careful navigation in bad weather. Be particularly prepared for snow and ice, which can lie right into the spring, and mist/cloud which requires use of a compass and map.

Start

Threipmuir Reservoir

Distance

7.5 miles (12km)

Height gain

1,885 feet (575m)

Approximate time

4 hours

Parking

From Balerno follow signs to Marchbank, and car park is on the left, near where the road ends

Route terrain

Reservoir tracks and rough mountain upland, mainly on grass and heather

Ordnance Survey maps

Landranger 66 (Edinburgh)

5. Ben Hope

Munro bagging has become an obsession for many Scots, who aim to chalk off all 282 of the country’s peaks that sit over 3000 feet. Ben Hope, the most northerly Munro, is one of the least visited, sitting in a remote corner of the country near to Cape Wrath. It is best only attempted in the summer months when you may have to contend with the steady flow of campervans circumventing the North Coast 500. Yet this route offers an alternative descent that opens up fresh views, offering solitude seldom found on the popular ascent path. The ascent is steep, though relatively short in Munro terms, but bear in mind that snow can lie far into the spring and that the top is incredibly exposed.

Start
Ben Hope walkers’ car park

Distance

5 to 9 Miles (8 to 15.2km)

Height gain
3,020 to 3,350 feet (920 to 1,020m)

Approx time
4 to 7 hours

Route terrain
Mountain path, rugged and steep in sections; rocky slabs; pathless rough ground. If attempting in winter conditions will require crampons, ice axe and the knowledge of how to use them.

Parking
Car park at Muiseal on the minor road through Strath More (turn off the A838 just east of bridge over the River Hope)

Ordnance Survey Maps

Pathfinder 83, walk 16

6. The Whangie

This route appears to be a straightforward hill walk, until the dramatic gorged rock of The Whangie comes into view. The name is thought to be from an old Scots' term ('whang' means 'slice'), with a sinister story that it was created by a flick of the Devil’s tail as he flew overhead. A more likely version is that a geological formation created the 50 foot gash in the rock, often used by climbers who are in training. Beyond The Whangie the path climbs up to a splendid viewpoint on Auchineden Hill, which overlooks the Clyde Valley in one direction and Loch Lomond in the other.

Start

Queen’s View, beside A809 between Drymen and Milngavie

Distance

3 miles (4.8km)

Height gain

655 feet (200m)

Approximate time

1.5 hours

Parking

Queen’s View car park

Route terrain

Moorland paths

Ordnance Survey Maps

Pathfinder Guidebook 23, walk 5

7. Isle of Iona, Inner Hebrides

Since 563, when St Columba landed on Iona from Ireland on his evangelising mission to Scotland, this small island off Mull has been a major religious centre. Visitors are not allowed to bring cars on the island (bar blue badge holders), making it a wonderful place to walk, particularly if you are bringing children.

This walk can be divided into two separate walks, one to the north coast, the other to the west and south, but the full walk is eminently worthwhile as it includes all four of the island’s coasts. The varied route includes the viewpoint of Dùn I, grassland, heather, moorland and a lochan – and finishes at a charming sandy bay, the perfect place to dip your toes into the sea as a reward for a walk well done.

Start

Iona, by ferry terminal

Distance

8½ miles (13.7km)

Height gain

690 feet (210m)

Approximate time

4½ hours

Terrain

Fairly flat throughout, mainly tracks

Parking

By the ferry terminal at Fionnphort

Ordnance Survey Maps

Pathfinder 31, walk 24 Landranger 48 (Iona & West Mull), Explorer 373 (Iona, Staffa & Ross of Mull)

8.  The Hermitage and Birnam, Dunkeld, Perthshire

Dunkeld is not exactly quiet in the summer months, but this walk detours via the village of Birnam, its much quieter neighbour. It loops through the banks of two rivers, Tay and Braan, as well as crossing waterfalls, grassy moorland and ending at the famous Birnam oak tree. The route also encompasses the Beatrix Potter, which features sculptures of her animals and an information display about her life. It might be long in duration, but the gradients are gentle throughout this walk and the paths are generally good.

Distance
7.7 miles (12.4km)

Height Gain
655 feet (200m)

Approximate time
4 hours

Route Terrain
Good riverside, woodland and field paths

Parking
Atholl Street car park

Ordnance Survey Maps

Pathfinder guidebook 27, walk 20

9. Ben Tianavaig, Skye

The Isle of Skye is renowned for its magnificent, imposing mountains. Yet despite being finely sculpted, and offering wonderful panoramic views, Ben Tianavaig is much less frequented by walkers than other peaks on Skye. From the west, the mountain – a Marilyn, for those who collect such summits – has a neat symmetrical profile, but from the south, the eastern face is seen to collapse in the landslip manner characteristic of the Trotternish ridge and the Quiraing to the north.

Ben Tianavaig has the bonus of being usually free of cloud, and serves as a suitable alternative when other, higher summits are shrouded in mist. It boasts views across much of Skye, as well as to Wester Ross, Rona and Raasay beyond.

Start
Camastianavaig, Braes

Distancee

3 ¼ miles (5.3km)

Height Gain
1,345 feet (410m)

Approximate time

2.5 hours

Route terrain
Initially heather and rough moorland giving way to close-cropped turf; steep drop to the east for most of the route

Parking

Pull-in opposite Tianavaig Bay

10 Arran Coastal Way, Isle of Arran

The West Highland Way, known globally and tackled by tens of thousands of walkers each year, needs no further publicity. But there are plenty of other long-distance routes to enjoy across Scotland, with considerably fewer tourists but no shortage of views. One such walk is the Arran Coastal Way, accessible in just under an hour from Ayrshire via the ferry crossing from Ardrossan. It might have an area of just 165 square miles (427sqkm), but the island of Arran continues to offer a myriad of wonderfully varied scenery.

The long-distance Coastal Way walk, usually taken in an anti-clockwise direction, encircles the island, for the most part at or near sea level with just two excursions inland: one to visit Goat Fell, at 2,867 feet (874m) the highest point on the island, the other to take in a loop that visits Glenashdale Falls. It is a challenging and rewarding circling of the island, often described as ‘Scotland in Miniature’, with good cause because it hosts many typical Highland and Lowland landscapes, wildlife and culture. Being coastal, the chances of seeing wildlife are good, notably otters, seals, seabirds, minke whale, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks.

Start / Finish

Brodick (NS 014361)

Distance

65 miles (104km)

Height Gain

6,295 feet (1,920m)

Approximate Time

5-7 days

Route Terrain

A trail that is tougher than it looks, with some pathless parts and rugged terrain; general proximity to the coast road bus services permit piecemeal completion.

Ordnance Survey Maps

Epic British Walks, walk 23, OS Explorer 361 and OS Landranger 69

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