The Heart 200
While the NC 500 sticks to the coast, the Heart 200 (heart200.scot) is entirely landlocked, and is much more accessible and less remote than its bigger cousin. It squiggles around central Scotland, linking the towns and cities of Stirling, Crieff, Perth, Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Callander, along with a wide variety of landscapes, castles and distilleries.
It is not signposted, and there are plenty of alternative routes and short cuts along the way.
Its dramatically sited southern gateway is Stirling, rearing up on a rock out of Scotland’s Central Belt. Stirling is a natural location for a fortification, and most of the Stuart kings and queens grew up in its castle.
From here, you enter rolling, verdant heartlands, with cattle farms, spa hotels and golf courses such as at Gleneagles. To the west rise the Trossachs, a region of lochs and steep forests, threaded with walking and biking trails such as the Rob Roy Way. The village of Aberfoyle is the adventure gateway, and the nearby visitor centre
of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park has high wires and zip lines, osprey nests, walking trails and a great view across forested hills.
To the east is Perthshire’s aristocratic Big Tree Country, much loved by Queen Victoria, along the banks of the silvery River Tay. Its visitor capital is Pitlochry, a cheerful place stacked with hotels and opportunities to buy tweed and tartan, tea and cake.
And up the region’s centre run the heather-clad Ochil Hills, with the same feel as the West Highlands. Wild, rugged and remote, until you emerge on the northern side at Aberfeldy.
Where to stay: Just outside the thriving village of Comrie is Comrie Croft, an enlightened social enterprise whose accommodation choices are an upmarket hostel or glamping in Nordicorigin Katas, cosy with wood-burning stoves scattered through the trees. Katas from £200 for two nights. comriecroft.com