With its dramatic coast, crumbling castles, remote roads and liberal stance on wild camping, Scotland is best seen by campervan. Take the high (or low) road in a campervan Note that snow can linger on top well into spring, and even into the summer. Those feeling less energetic can take the funicular railway to a viewpoint to spot ptarmigan, snow bunting, eagles and even reindeer, the only herd in Britain guided walks to the top are also available from here. A footpath weaves to its summit from Cairngorm Mountain. At the top you can join the masses as they descend via the main route and enjoy a pint of real ale in the Ben Nevis Inn at the bottom.Īlternatively, head to the Cairngorms, a collection of peaks – many over 1,200m – that scrape the skyline and offer walkers the chance to get off the beaten track (though map, compass and ability to navigate on pathless terrain are vital). If you already have hill-walking experience don’t climb Ben Nevis by the Tourist Path (the name says it all) follow the spectacular Carn Mór Dearg Arête, one of the finest ridges in Scotland, sweeping in a perfect arc towards the North Face. Look out too for razorbills, great skuas and kittiwakes. A short boat trip gets you to the island, run as a nature reserve by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. They nest in burrows in the cliffs and are surprisingly tolerant of human onlookers. In summer it is home to thousands of seabirds, including a large contingent of puffins. If it’s puffins you want to see, head to Handa Island near Scourie. Head to the RSPB reserve at Loch Garten for your best chance to spot one. Ospreys have returned to nest in Scotland too. The fourth-largest eagle in the world, with a whopping 2.5m wingspan, you can watch them nesting from a RSPB has a hide at Loch Frisa on Mull. Thanks to a reintroduction programme started in 1975, sea eagles have returned to the west coast of Scotland thanks to a reintroduction programme started in 1975. This patch of the Highlands is home to hundreds of species, many endemic and endangered, from majestic birds of prey like the golden eagle to common but overlooked finches. Speyside, an area of mountains, moors and valleys sandwiched between Scotland’s Cairngorm and Monadhliath ranges, is a great place to start. Whether you are a serious twitcher or just a beginner, birdwatching in Scotland offers the chance to immerse yourself in the country’s most spectacular scenery. The world famous Fringe Festival – the world’s largest arts festival – offers something for everyone. Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile will keep the history buff happy. Make sure you drop by the People's Palace in Glasgow Green to check out Billy Connolly’s infamous banana shoes.Ĭlaire Wilson, on the other hand, heads to Glasgow’s more refined sister, Edinburgh, and discovers the best way to start your long weekend in the Scottish capital. Helen Ochyra’s short break guide to Glasgow reveals where to find the city’s finest galleries and museums, its up-and-coming areas, and the rough edges that give Glasgow its charm. But if it’s culture you’re after, as well as fine food and smoky single malts, then Scotland’s two biggest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, can offer that in droves. It sounds counter-intuitive to plan a city break in the wildest and most remote part of the UK. Look for dolphins from the ferry, then climb the volcanic plug of An Sgurr, before a walk with the ‘Singing Sands’ hissing between your toes. OK, so it doesn’t feel like that when the rain’s belting in sideways, but this still has plenty to offer. When the sun shines on the shell beaches here you could almost believe you were in the Caribbean. If you prefer to let others do all the work, take a boat trip to Eigg, a volcanic island off Skye. By helping to crew the boat, you'll feel like you're exploring the islands under your own steam – even though there is always expert help on hand. Looking for something a little more hardcore? Combining walking trips with hands-on sailing, Wilderness Scotlands' boat trips around Knoydart, Skye & The Small Isles get you right to the heart of this windswept idyll – even if you have zero sailing experience. But you don’t need any experience to give it a go, and there are a number of companies who will take you out for a paddle. This is one of the world’s best destinations for sea kayaking, and it hosts international events for the seriously committed. Landing a boat on an uninhabited island and lighting a fire on the beach may sound like the stuff of dreams, but it’s perfectly possible in the Outer Hebrides where most of the 200-odd islands are deserted. Kayaker near castle in Scotland (Shutterstock)
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