The Herald - The Herald Magazine
The best spring walks in Scotland
IT can be tempting to whack up the heating, hunker down under a blanket and venture outdoors only when strictly necessary at this time of the year. But to do so would mean missing out on the crisp beauty of an early spring walk – and Scotland has plenty of great ones to enjoy.
1. BELHAVEN BEACH, DUNBAR Dunbar, East Lothian
A cold February day might not exactly scream “beach weather” but, if you do brave a trip to the seaside, you will be rewarded by the invigorating air, lack of noisy children and early evening sunsets dipping across the water. The Belhaven Bay stretch of Dunbar Beach is especially good, with expansive golden sands and clear views across the Firth of Forth. And when you finish, ducking into the warmth of a cafe (try Espresso Black on the High Street) creates an almost giddy excitement at being able to feel your toes again.
2. THE HERMITAGE, DUNKELD Dunkeld, Perthshire
To be perfectly honest, the Douglas fir trees of the Tay Forest Park are magnificent in any season – but a visit at this time of year will certainly be worth your while. If you start in the Hermitage car park you can head into the fairytale wooded glen, passing some of Scotland’s tallest trees, before making your way to the dramatic sight of the Black Linn waterfall. Then meander back towards the village of Dunkeld, stopping off in one of its many pubs for a hearty meal and a well deserved drink.
3. KELVINGROVE PARK, GLASGOW
Kelvingrove might be most popular in summer, when swarms of sunbathers stretch out across its grass, but it is actually an ideal park for a walk during early spring. It isn’t particularly big to get around – so you aren’t out in the cold for too long – but it isn’t short on scenic viewpoints and architecture. The looming tower of the University of Glasgow looks particularly beautiful on a cold, crisp day and there are plenty of pubs and cafes on the outskirts of the park in which to warm up after your walk is done. Best of all, Kelvingrove is a dog lovers’ paradise, so if you don’t have one of your own you can admire plenty of furry friends on your walk.
4. CALTON HILL, EDINBURGH
A recent proposal to introduce a tourist tax in Edinburgh should give an indication of how busy the city can get, especially during the peak festival period in August. The walk up Calton Hill is excellent but can be mobbed in summer: so a visit off-season will be far more peaceful. Start at the Waverley Steps just outside the train station, then head east up towards the hill, aiming for the Athenian acropolis at the top. The acropolis – an unfinished monument intended to be a replica of the Parthenon in Athens – provides a great vantage point to sit and look out over the city.
5. CONIC HILL, BALMAHA Balmaha, Loch Lomond
Even at this time of year, Conic Hill is one of the easier summits in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs area. The marked path, pictured left, leads you up a short but sharp ascent above Balmaha, rewarding any walkers with picture-perfect views across the water and surrounding hills. It is best on a cold, clear day, although you will have to wrap up warm as the wind can leave you feeling exposed on the top. Make sure to check the weather forecast beforehand, and don’t attempt the route in dangerous conditions.
6. HILL 99 TRAIL, CULBIN Culbin Forest, Nairn, Moray
The 3.5 mile Hill 99 Trail is mostly flat, making it an ideal walk for children or older members of the family. Clearly marked and well signposted, it will lead you through buggy-friendly forest paths past scenic ponds and pools, before culminating in a picturesque finale at the “squirrel’s eye” viewpoint. This tall wooden tower offers views across to Findhorn Bay and the Moray Firth.
7. GLENASHDALE FALLS, ARRAN Whiting Bay, Arran
To see a waterfall at its best, you should probably visit after a long period of rainfall (although the Scottish summers aren’t particularly dry either). The double cascade Glenashdale Falls is worth the reasonably strenuous
climb up to it, with a viewing platform that offers a perfect spot to stand back and admire the strength of the water.
8. LOCH MORLICH CIRCULAR, CAIRNGORMS Near Aviemore, Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms look particularly spectacular when snow-capped, and there are few better places to admire them than on the route round Loch Morlich. The paths are well maintained and easy to navigate, with some sandy stretches and forest trails.
9. CLATTERINGSHAWS LOCH, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfries and Galloway
With flat terrain and great scenery, a walk around Clatteringshaws Loch is a great way to blow the cobwebs away on a spring day. If you fancy squeezing in a bit of history while you are there, the loch is also home to Bruce’s Stone, one of two stones in the area that are dedicated to Scotland’s most famous king.
10. GLENIFFER BRAES, PAISLEY Glenfield Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire
What better captures an early Scottish spring day than the sight of some some Highland cows grazing in a frosty field? Gleniffer Braes
Country Park has its very own herd, as well as woodland, marshland and a large reservoir. Certain spots also offer extensive views of Paisley, Renfrew and beyond, as well as the occasional plane taking off from Glasgow Airport.
11. CASTLE WALK, STIRLING
With Saoirse Ronan currently bringing her to life on the big screen, Mary, Queen of Scots has undeniably recaptured the public’s imagination. If you want to learn a bit more about her, then Stirling Castle, right, is a good place to start: Mary was crowned there as a young girl and visited the castle frequently in later life, having her son James baptised there in 1566.
There is a charming castle walk that starts at the Back Walk and the old town walls before leading to the foot of the imposing castle rock. From there, head up towards Gowan Hill for clear views of the city, the Wallace Monument and the Ochil Hills.
12. SCOLTY HILL, BANCHORY Banchory, Aberdeenshire
The centrepiece of Scolty Hill is the 20metre tower that sits on its summit, which was built in 1840 as a memorial to General William Burnett. There are a variety of routes to take you up to the hill’s peak – some easier than others – but when you get there you can then climb the steps of the tower and enjoy unrivalled views of Deeside and beyond.
13. SUTHERLAND’S GROVE, ARGYLL Barcaldine, Argyll
A walk around the secluded forest of
Sutherland’s Grove is the perfect way to escape from the stress of modern life. It boasts oak, pine and fir trees (some as tall as 175 feet), as well as fast-flowing rivers and a dramatic gorge carved out by the Abhainn Teithil burn. And if you visit on a particularly cold day, you might be lucky enough to see icicles hanging from the trees near the gorge – creating an ideal opportunity for a seasonal photograph.
14. TARBAT NESS LIGHTHOUSE, PORTMAHOMACK Tain, Easter Ross
As the third-tallest lighthouse in Britain, the red and white stripes of Tarbat Ness Lighthouse are an iconic sight for visitors to the Tarbat Peninsula. Try walking from the village of Portmahomack to the lighthouse and back: the route takes in some stunning beaches, sea views and even a medieval fortress (Ballone Castle). If you’re lucky, you might see some sea life too.
15. MUGDOCK COUNTRY PARK, MILNGAVIE Craigallian Road, Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire
For many walkers, Milngavie represents the starting point of the West Highland Way. But, rather than simply heading north, Milngavie offers some pretty impressive walking routes for those that choose to stay within the town. Mugdock Country Park boasts 270 hectares of woodland, moorland and heathland, as well as a loch, two castles and a walled garden – providing plenty of opportunities for an early spring stroll. A network of special paths has been created across the park, with Walk Mugdock guides available in the visitor centre to help you plan your route.