Our 10 best winter walks
Magic of Scotland’s landscape for ramblers of all abilities
1 Moffat Well, Dumfries & Galloway
Distance: 4 miles
Walking time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Difficulty: A varied leisurely stroll with some stamina required
Ben says: Start in the car park of Annandale Arms Hotel in Moffat town centre and follow the winding tracks country lanes through Tank Wood to the historic Moffat Well, where the Victorians came to sample the waters. From here you can take in the beauty of the Annan river and the spa town of Moffat. Then, back the way you came.
Treat time: The 250-year-old Annandale Arms Hotel has great reviews for its friendly atmosphere and tasty meals. Festive opening: Christmas Eve bar open 11am-11pm, Christmas Day and Boxing Day – closed; December 27 onwards bar open 11am-11pm, lunch served 12-2pm, dinner 6-8.30pm.
2 Bridge of Allan to Dunblane, via Gallow Hill
Distance: 2.75 miles
Walking time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy Stirlingshire route Start location: Bridge of Allan Railway Station, FK9 4PH Ben says: Gently and undulating, starting at one railway station and ending at another, through open countryside, along charming woodland paths and Allan Water, a tributary of the River Forth.
Treat time: Sit by the wood burning stove at the The Riverside bar and restaurant, in Dunblane and enjoy breakfast, coffee and homebaking, lunch or dinner. Festive opening: Closed - Christmas Day/New Years Day. Reduced hours Boxing Day/ January 2: Noonmidnight, otherwise normal opening hours: 10am-midnight.
3 Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow
Distance: 2.7 miles
Walking time: 1 hour 10minutes
Difficulty: A walk in the park – literally
Start location: An Clachan Café, Glasgow, G3 7LH
Ben says: A circular route along the River Kelvin to the Botanic Gardens and through Glasgow University Campus. The wonderful Kibble Palace in the Botanic Gardens is worth a visit. First erected at the home of eccentric Victorian entrepreneur John
Kibble on the shores of Loch Long, he deemed it natural for the glass structure to be dismantled, moved by barge to Glasgow, and then rebuilt in the Botanic Gardens. Treat time: Brewdog
Kelvingrove, on Argyle Street, for a tasty selection of food and drink. Dog friendly.
Festive opening: Closed – Christmas Day. Normal opening hours for rest of festive season – Monday-Thursday/Sunday: 12 noon-midnight, Friday/Saturday: 12 noon-1am.
4 The iconic Old Man Of Storr, Isle of Skye
Distance: 2.6 miles
Walking time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Short distance with some challenges – worth it for the views.
Start location: Lay-by on the A855, north of Portree Ben says: A there-and-back-again walk for a magnificent view down the Sound of Raasay to the Cuillin Hills. Soak up the sight of spectacular cliffs and outlandish rock formations, as well as the local bird-life including ravens and, if you’re lucky, white-tailed sea eagles.
Treat time: Head back into Portree and be warmed by the open fire at The Isles Inn, on Somerled Square. Enjoy fresh-fished langoustines or Scottish scallops hand dived just down the road and brought straight to your table.
Dog friendly. Festive opening – Christmas Day: 5pm-12.30am. Normal opening hours for rest of festive season: 11am-12.30am.
5 Dundee Law from McManus Galleries
Distance: 2.6 miles
Walking time: 1 hour 30minutes
Difficulty: moderate city stroll
Start location: McManus Art Gallery and Museum, DD1 1DA
Ben says: A walk through Dundee from the impressive McManus Art Gallery and Museum. Passing through pretty Howff Cemetery and the distinctive pointed towers of Dudhope Castle, you’ll climb up to Dundee Law,
the city’s highest point, with fine views over the city towards Fife and the coast.
Treat time: Drouthy’s, Perth Road, Dundee is a great spot to visit for innovative pub food. A favourite with tourists and locals. Dogs welcome. Festive opening – closed Christmas Day. Open Boxing Day: 12-5pm, Closed – New Year’s Day/ January 2. Normal opening hours for rest of festive season: 9am-late.
6 Stac Pollaidh, Highlands – Coigach’s Little Mountain
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: short in distance but hilly.
Walking time: 2 hours
Start location: Stac Pollaidh car park, IV26 2XY
Ben says: What really makes the walk up this hill special are the views. Looking south and west over Loch Lugainn to the Summer Isles and north over the staggeringly beautiful Inverpolly Nature Reserve to the peaks of Assynt, the panorama extends across Europe’s largest wilderness.
Treat time: Head to nearby Ullapool for a visit to the Arch Inn, on West Shore Street – originally a store for fishermen and fish curers. Festive opening: Christmas Day: 11am-3pm.
New Year’s Day: Noon-11pm. Normal opening hours for rest of festive season: 11am-11pm.
7 Kinlochleven and the Grey Mare’s Tail
Distance: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: Can be negotiated by beginners
Walking time: 2 hours
Start location: Lochaber Road B863 Kinlochleven, PH50 4RP
Ben says: Kinlochleven is home to the dramatic Grey Mare’s Tail. This remarkable cascade drops the Allt Coire na Ba some 50 metres vertically into a narrow, wooded gorge and adds to the drama of this walk that includes a section of the West Highland Way.
Treat Time: Award winning Clachaig Inn at Glencoe. This dog friendly pub and restaurant has three bars, log fires and live music. Festive opening: Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/Boxing Day – closed. Normal opening hours rest of festive season: 11am-11pm/later at weekend.
8 Sandwood Bay, Highlands – the Mermaid’s Rest
Distance: 9.4 miles
Difficulty: Only for those with a bit of stamina.
Walking time: 5 hours
Start location: Car park at Blairmore, IV27 4RU
Ben says: A there-and-back walk to one of Britain’s wildest and most beautiful white-sand beaches with its spectacular dunes and cliffs, including the lonely rock stack Am Buachaille. Look out for great skuas, red deer and a sailor’s ghost along the way.
Treat time: Make sure you pack your own cake, sandwiches and flask of tea to reward yourself on this stunning walk as the remote location makes finding a nearby cafe or pub serving food over the festive season quite a challenge.
9 9 A walk around Mugdock and Craigmaddie reservoirs, Glasgow
Distance: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy stroll for those up to tackling more than four miles.
Walking time: 2 hours
Start location: West Highland Way Obelisk, Milgavie, G62 6PB Ben says: A magnificent walk round Mugdock and Craigmaddie Reservoirs. Watch the wildlife and admire the wonderful views around the Glasgow area. The reservoirs are situated next to Mugdock Country Park, a great option for a family day out.
Treat time: The Blane Valley Inn, just over a mile away in nearby Blanefield, has rave reviews for its friendly atmosphere and fantastic food. Dogs welcome. Festive opening: Blane Valley Inn, closed Christmas
Day. Opening hours for rest of festive season as normal: Noon – 11pm/1am on Friday/ Saturday.
10 Aberlady Bay, East Lothian
Distance 5.5 miles
Walking time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: Leisurely but long enough for some
Start location: Main Street, Gullane, EH31 2HD
Ben says: A quick hop on the bus from Edinburgh, this walk between Gullane and Aberlady takes in one of the finest stretches of coast in Scotland. Heading over the dunes in the Aberlady Local Nature Reserve, Pinkfooted geese, wheatear, whitethroat, blackcap, redshank and lapwing can be spotted at different times of the year.
Treat time: The Old Aberlady Inn is popular for traditional pub dining. Festive opening – Christmas Eve: 11am-10pm. Christmas Day: 6pm-11pm. Boxing Day: 11am-11pm. Closed: Christmas Day. Normal hours for rest of festive season: 11am-midnight/late opening on Hogmanay.