Scotland Peter Irvine’s the best
Classic views Awe-inspiring sights can be found all around. Here are four of the best. Don’t forget your binoculars
An Teallach and Liathach
An Teallach, that great favourite of Scottish hill walkers (25 miles south of Ullapool by the A835/A832), is best viewed from the side of Little Loch Broom or the A832. The classic view of the other great Torridon mountains (Beinn Eighe, pronounced “Ben-a”, and Liathach together, 62 miles south by road from Ullapool) in Glen Torridon and on the road to Diabaig 2.4 miles from Kinlochewe. This viewpoint is not marked but it’s on the track around Loch Clair which is reached from the entrance to the Coulin estate off the A896 (small lay-by), Glen Torridon road. Park outside gate; no cars allowed, half-a-mile walk to lochside. These mountains have to be seen to be believed.
From Raasay
There are several fabulous views looking
over to Skye from Raasay, the small island reached by ferry from Sconser. The panorama from Dun Caan, the hill in the centre of the island is of Munro proportions, producing an elation incommensurate with the small effort required to get there.
Scott’s View
Off B6404 St Boswells to Kelso road (follow Dryburgh Abbey signs). The View, old Walter’s favourite (the horses still stopped there long after he’d gone), is 2.5 miles along the road (Dryburgh Abbey two miles further). Magnificent sweep of his beloved Border country, but only in one direction.
Duncryne Hill
Gartocharn is between Balloch and Drymen on the A811 and this view was once recommended by writer and outdoorsman Tom Weir as “the finest viewpoint of any small hill in Scotland”. Turn up Duncryne road at the east end of village and park half a maile on left by a small wood (a sign reads Woods Reserved for Teddy Bears). The hill is only 470ft high and easy, but the view of Loch Lomond and the Kilpatrick Hills is superb.
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99