Scotland the best
Woodland walks
All over the country, we’re blessed to have superb woodland trails and forest walks for the family
Ardnamurchan
For anyone who loves trees (or hills, great coastal scenery and raw nature), this farflung peninsula is a revelation. Approach from south via Corran Ferry on A82 south of Fort William or north from Lochailort on A830 Mallaig-fort William road or from Mull. Many marked and unmarked trails but consult online or locally. To visit Ardnamurchan is to fall in love with Scotland again and again. Woods, especially around Loch Sunart. Good family campsite at Resipole.
Puck’s Glen
Close to the gates of the Younger Botanic Garden at Benmore, on the other side of the A815 to Strachur, seven miles north of Dunoon. A short, exhilarating woodland walk from a convenient car park. Ascend through trees then down into a fairy glen, follow the
burn back to the road. Some pools to be swum.
The Birks o’ Aberfeldy
Circular walk through oak, beech and the birch (or birk) woods of the title, easily reached and signed from town main street. Steep-sided wooded glen of the Moness Burn with attractive falls, especially the higher one spanned by bridge where the two marked walks converge. This is where Burns “spread the lightsome days” in his eponymous poem. Excellent tearoom and all-round life enhancer, The Watermill, in town.
The New Galloway Forest
Huge area of forest and hill country with every type of trail, including part of Southern Upland Way from Bargrennan to Dalry. Visitor centres at Kirroughtree (three miles Newton Stewart) and Clatteringshaws Loch on the Queen’s Way (five miles New Galloway). Glen and Loch Trool are very fine; and walks (up to three miles) around Laurieston. The Smithy by the bridge in New Galloway for sustenance. There’s a river pool on the Raiders’ Road.
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99