The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Step up to the challenge
Winter? What winter? Grab your outdoor gear and start planning your next Scottish adventure
WITH the festive season binge over, the minds of many people are turning to thoughts of active breaks to fight off the flab. It may still be winter in Scotland but, as guidebook author and fell walker Arthur Wainwright once said, there is no such thing as bad weather – only unsuitable clothing.
Equipped for the elements, there is no reason to miss out on the opportunities available during the colder months. Indeed, with many hotels and self-catering cottages offering winter deals, particularly for couples, it is an excellent time to book up and get moving.
Some enjoy the hills when there is a dusting of snow but walkers wanting to avoid too much exposure can choose from plenty of forest paths, city routes or even bracing coastal walks.
There are over 1,700 miles of well managed paths from the Borders to the Highlands, offering great opportunities to explore the best of Scotland’s nature and landscapes and to experience amazing history and culture.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail is 2.5 miles (4 km) in length and offers sweet rewards, such as views of Loch Shiel and a visit to the poignant Glenfinnan Monument, a tribute to Jacobite clansmen erected in 1815. Situated within Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat has a number of routes to the top, making for an easy, pleasant 3 mile (4.75km) hill walk with a bit of a rocky scramble.
If walking is too slow there are several ways to enjoy cycling in Scotland.
In Glasgow and Stirling cyclists can pick up bicycles from nextbike (www.nextbike.co.uk) at any time of day – it’s easy to arrange the hire via the app, online or by telephone. Bike & Go (www. bikeandgo.co.uk) offers a similar hire scheme at train stations in all of Scotland’s cities, as well as in Linlithgow, Largs and Kilmarnock – just sign-up as a member online, hop off the train and get cycling. The National Cycle Network makes it easy to get around on quiet roads and trafficfree paths. More information is available from: www.sustrans.org.uk.
A number of companies can provide guided trips or plan a self-led itinerary ranging from a pleasant afternoon’s cycle to an island-hopping bike tour of the Outer Hebrides. Organised cycling holidays are available through ScotCycle
(www.scotcycle.co.uk) and Wilderness Scotland (www.wildernessscotland.com). For the more adventurous there is even a recreational tree climbing provider based near Inverness – www.treeclimbingscotland.co.uk.
For more information on all of these activities go to www.visitscotland.com