Scotland the best
Wildlife reserves
Scotland is blessed with many beautiful animals and flora – and great places to view them Beinn Eighe
Bounded by the A832 south from Gairloch and A896 west of Kinlochewe, this first National Nature Reserve in Britain includes remaining fragments of old Caledonian pinewood on south shore of Loch Maree and rises to the rugged tops with spectacular views and varied geology. Excellent wood and mountain trails starting on both roads – from A832 on Loch Maree side there are woodland strolls. Starts to the Beinn and to the mighty Liathach are from A896 Glen Torridon road. nature.scot
Lochwinnoch
18 miles south-west of Glasgow via M8, then A737 past Johnstone on to A760. Reserve just outside village on lochside and comprises wetland and woodland habitats. A serious nature centre, incorporating an observation
tower. Hides and marked trails. Shop and coffee shop. Visitor centre open 10am-5pm. rspb.org.uk·
Flanders Moss
This curious swathe of Forth Valley on the road between Thornhill and Kippen is a much revered... bog, a kind of micro ecosystem. There’s a raised walkway around it and an impressive tower to overlook it. Wildlife includes adders, dragonflies and a host of other insects and the birds who feed on them. nnr-scotland.org.uk·
Tentsmuir
North tip of Fife at the mouth of the Tay. Walks in both direction: west to Tayport, east to Leuchars. Also two-and-a-half mile circular walk of beach and forest. Hide a mile away at Ice House Pond. Seals often watch from waves and bask in summer. Lots of butterflies. Waders aplenty and, to the east, one of UK’S most significant populations of eider. Most wildfowl offshore. Check Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage. tentsmuir.org
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99