Distance: 10km/6 miles
Time: 4hrs
Type: Forest and waterfall
Where: Circular walk from Inverfarigaig to the Falls
of Foyers.
Start/End: Forestry Commission car park, Inverfarigaig (NH522238).
Terrain: Waymarked paths, forestry tracks and minor roads, with some steep sections and areas of boggy, heathery moorland.
Maps : OS Explorer 416; Landranger 26.

The Falls of Foyers are a mustsee on any visit to Loch Ness. Robert Burns, visiting the area on the then newly built military Wade road, called the Falls a “horrid cauldron”. Today’s visitors have the benefit of wellmade wooden steps and safety railings from which to admire this series of impressive falls, including one drop of more than 100ft. This lovely circular walk – which includes short sections of the South Loch Ness Trail – takes you through conifer plantations to viewpoints over the loch and on to the falls (and an adjacent café). Although you may not spot Nessie, there’s a good chance of seeing red squirrels en route.

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Distance: 27km/17 miles
Time: 7hrs
Type: Coast, riverbank and town
Where: Linear coastal walk along a section of Ayrshire Coast.
Start/End: Troon train station (NS325309) > Ardrossan train station (NS231421).
Terrain: Beach, riverbank paths and country roads, in between several towns with seafront promenades.
Maps : OS Explorer 326, 333, 341; Landranger 70.

The 17 miles between the Ayrshire towns of Troon and Ardrossan are what simple, stress-free coastal walking should be all about. Any ascents are negligible and the going includes gorgeous beaches, woodland and riverside paths — all of which allow the walker to enjoy the stunning scenery, varied wildlife and attractive, historically interesting towns. Fishermen, shipbuilders, the Romans, monks and even masons have all left their mark along this route. A wonderful six miles of beach stretches from Troon to Irvine, before heading inland along riverbanks — with herons, moorhens and kingfishers for company — to eventually reach the historic town of Kilwinning and its magnificent abbey. You then return to the coast through the Ayrshire Three Towns of Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan, with the incredible view of Arran’s ragged profile rising from the Firth of Clyde.

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Distance: 10km/6 miles
Time: 3hrs
Type: City tour
Where: Circular walk around Stirling, visiting many of Scotland’s most historic buildings.
Start/End: Stirling train station (NS798935).
Terrain: Pavement with one short section of field and woodland path. There is a steep climb to both Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle.
Maps : OS Explorer 366; Landranger 57.

Glasgow and Edinburgh may get more visitors, but it’s Stirling that can arguably claim Scotland’s greatest historical monuments within its confines and I am not just talking about Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. Although this walk visits both of these remarkable and iconic buildings, it is some of the lesser-known ones that stir equal interest. These include little Cambuskenneth Abbey, Stirling Bridge and the 17th-century King’s Knot Royal Gardens. Stirling is a beautiful city, very much aware of its heritage, and this route takes full advantage of it — as well as some of central Scotland’s finest views.

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Distance: 12km/7½ miles
Time: 5hrs
Type: Hill and moorland
Where: Circular walk over the hills of Hundleshope Heights, Preston Law and Newby Kipps near Peebles in the Scottish Borders.
Start/End: Glen Road, Peebles (NT259392).
Terrain: Excellent hill and moorland paths, with steep ascents and descents and over 600m/2,000ft of climbing.
Maps: OS Explorer 337; Landranger 73.

Some of Scotland’s finest hills and mountains lie south of the Highland Boundary fault line, with the Borders home to some excellent walking. A trip to the attractive town of Peebles and into Glensax is a customary destination for many, which is understandable as the nearby ascent of the Donald of Dun Rig is a fantastic route. However, rising on the western side of Glensax are the equally wonderful hills of Hundleshope, Preston Law and Newby Kipps. Like their betterknown neighbours, it’s a superb high-level walk, with lovely wildlife and a real sense of space bestowed on the walker. Although this route ventures across well-worn paths, the hills are quiet, with the aforementioned Dun Rig or the higher Moffat mountains proving more popular. As a result, these hills feel uncluttered and give full reign to the superb, uninterrupted views across southern Scotland that are the hallmark of the rolling Borders landscape.

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Distance: 11km/7 miles
Time: 3hrs
Type: Coast and hill
Where: Circular walk around the island of Kerrera.
Start/End: Kerrera slipway (NM830287).
Terrain: Excellent single-track road and rough coastal path, with one fairly steep climb.
Maps: OS Explorer 359; Landranger 49.

To step on to Kerrera is to step back in time. A two-minute ferry journey across the Sound of Kerrera transports you into a tranquil, bygone world. Unless you’re a resident, no vehicles can be brought on to the island and so a peaceful, fume-free and beautiful walk is guaranteed. There is only one single-track road on the island, which runs along its eastern edge and passes beautiful Horseshoe Bay, culminating in a short detour to reach historic Gylen Castle. A rougher path travels along the western side to the hushed loveliness of Barrnam- boc Bay. Back on the road, and a steep climb leads past Carn Breugach, Kerrera’s highest point, and down to the ferry.

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Distance: 15km/91⁄2 miles
Time: 9hrs
Type: Glen and mountain
Where: Classic circular walk above Glen Nevis near Fort William over four Munros and three other summits.
Start/End: Glen Nevis (NN168691).
Terrain: Excellent paths and tracks through Steall Gorge and over mountains. There are several steep ascents and descents throughout, making it a long, tough day. There’s also an exposed ridge and a wire bridge en route.
Maps: oS explorer 392; Landranger 41.

The Ring of Steall, above Glen Nevis, is a classic mountain day- trek, taking in seven mountains over 914m/3,000ft – four of them Munros (An Gearanach, Stob Choire a’ Chàirn, Am Bodach and Sgùrr a’ Mhàim). Narrow ridges link many of the mountains, the most spectacular being the Devil’s Ridge linking Sgurr an Iubhair and Stob Coire a Mhail. The paths are exposed here and could be problematic in winter. There are astounding views throughout this walk, which travels through the woodland and waterfalls of Steall Gorge to arrive in Steall Meadows – home to the fantastic Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall. A wire bridge here provides a novel way of crossing the Water of Nevis to reach the base of An Gearanach.

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Distance: 91⁄2km/6 miles
Time: 3hrs
Type: Hill and country
Where: Circular walk over the Pentland Hills on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Start/End: Midlothian Snowsports Centre (NT249670).
Terrain: Excellent paths and tracks over hills and through countryside, with some steep ascents and descents.
Maps: OS Explorer 344; Landranger 66.

The Pentland Hills run southwest for some 32km/20 miles from the outskirts of edinburgh towards the Scottish Borders, and provide some remarkable walking and great wildlife – as well as exquisite views over the city. The most popular route begins at Flotterstone Ranger Centre and climbs to the Pentlands’ highest point of Scald Law, descending via Glencorse Reservoir. However, an equally alluring route leaves from Midlothian Snowsports Centre and climbs over the hills of Caerketton, Allermuir, and Capelaw – providing wonderful views across edinburgh and east Lothian – before returning to Midlothian Snowsports Centre through some extremely attractive countryside. Paths are excellent throughout, although the moorland around Capelaw is featureless apart from the path and could be tricky in mist. Golden plover, lapwing, skylarks, roe deer and brown hare are just
some of the wildlife that can be seen en route.

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Distance: 19km/12 miles
Time: 6hrs
Type: Coastal
Where: Linear walk along Berwickshire Coastal Path from St Abbs to Burnmouth, via St Abbs Head and Eyemouth.
Start/End: Burnmouth (NT954612).
Terrain: High cliffs at St Abbs Head and wellsigned coastal path from St Abbs to Burnmouth.
Maps: OS Explorer 346; Landrangers 67 & 75.

St Abbs Head, which lies along the magnificent Berwickshire Coast, is renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery. The sheer cliffs, offshore stacks and narrow gullies are home to the largest colony of cliff-nesting seabirds on the south-east coast of Scotland, including kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, shags, herring gulls, fulmars and puffins. The area is a National Nature Reserve in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Extending south from St Abbs to Berwick-upon-Tweed is the 24km/15-mile Berwickshire Coastal Path. Though possible to walk it in a day, to have time to enjoy visiting St Abbs Head first – and a look around historic Berwick at the end – it’s better to spread it over two days. This route, which combines a short out-and-back walk to St Abbs Head with the first half of the Coast Path to Burnmouth, should hopefully encourage you to continue to Berwick another day.

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Distance: 17km/10½ miles
Time: 6hrs
Type: Glen and mountain
Where: Circular walk from Glen Rosa, climbing Cir Mhor and Caisteal Abhail.
Start/End: End of Glen Rosa Road (NS004368).
Terrain: Excellent paths and tracks through glen and over mountains. Some steep ascents and descents and a high-level ridge walk.
Maps: OS Explorer 361; Landranger 69.

There is something special about combining island walking with climbing mountains. Goat Fell is the obvious mountain to climb when on Arran, but Cir Mhor and Caisteal Abhail also provide a wonderful walk with astounding views of Scotland’s celebrated west coast. The initial walk through Glen Rosa’s natural amphitheatre is stunning, as is the steep climb to Cir Mhor’s compact summit. Good paths line the route, which, from Cir Mhor, hugs the ridge line above Glen Sannox and climbs to the bouldery plateau of Caisteal Abhail. On a clear day, Northern Ireland, Mull and Ben Nevis are all visible. The descent follows the route of ascent to the col below Cir Mhor, and then you retrace your footsteps to the end of Glen Rosa Road to catch the bus back to Brodick.

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Distance: 9km/51/2 miles
Time: 3-4hrs
Type: Coast and moorland
Where: Linear walk from Carlabhagh to Dhail Beag.
Start/End: Carlabhagh village (NB206426). Dhail Beag beach (NB228459).
Terrain: Paved road and boggy moorland, with some steady ascents and stiles.
Maps: OS Explorer 460; Landranger 8.

The island of Lewis is the northernmost, largest and lowest lying of the Outer Hebrides. It is characterised by peat moorland and freshwater lochs, where starlings and black-headed gulls skim over the still waters. Gaelic is widely spoken and, along with strict Sunday observance, makes Lewis a real, living, island. There are few second homes and tourism, as a source of income, is behind tweed weaving, crofting and fish farming. This walk on the north-west coast of Lewis takes in an historic village, lonely moorland and a cliff path with dizzying Atlantic views. Yellow waymarkers trace this walk to help you pick your way through the boggy moorland.

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