Favourite spring walks in Scotland
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, EDINBURGH
Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is officially the most popular visitor attraction in Scotland, having taken the crown last year from the National Museum of Scotland. With evidence showing that Covid-19 is less transmissible outdoors, it is no wonder that visitors have been opting for an open-air attraction, but these gardens have more to offer than just their location. There’s 72 acres to explore, with a rock garden, alpine houses, woodland garden, pond, arboretum, Chinese hillside, rhododendron collection and the Scottish native plants collection in the heath garden. If you only want a short wander then the rock garden is a must-visit – climb to the viewpoint at the highest point and you will be rewarded with views of Edinburgh’s spectacular skyline (in particular the famous castle). The rock garden is also particularly lovely in spring, with colourful flowering bulbs including dwarf daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses, while late spring sees the peak flowering of the dwarf rhododendrons and alpines. Officially reopened since the start of the month, visitors are required to pre-book a time slot ticket in advance and visit in groups no larger than two people from two households. www.rbge.org.uk
MAIDENS BEACH TO CULZEAN, AYRSHIRE
This walk, from the village of Maidens to the wonderful grounds of Culzean Castle, highlights some of the best bits of the Ayrshire coast. Despite being within a stone’s throw of Turnberry golf course, Maidens is largely untouched by tourists and is a great place to enjoy the sea air in relative peace. You could start by having a picnic on Maidens beach before heading north, turning right to follow the coastal path towards Culzean Country Park. This path will offer you some excellent coastal views before leading into some charming woodland in the grounds of the castle. From there, you can explore the swan pond, the courtyard of the castle and the expanse of the country park. There’s even a herd of llamas to be found in a field within the deer park, which will cheer up even those who are tired out from the long walk. The return journey is made by retracing your steps along the coastal path.
DUMGOYNE HILL, NEAR STRATHBLANE, STIRLING
Many people become fixated by the concept of Munro bagging, ticking off as many of Scotland’s 282 Munros (mountains taller than 3.000 feet) as they can. But height isn’t everything and some of the country’s best hills are those which aren’t classified as Munros. One such example is Dumgoyne Hill, just beyond Milngavie, which is situated behind the popular Glengoyne distillery. The route rises gradually at first, then steeply, but the path is well defined and shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to summit. You can enjoy the wonderful views from the top – perhaps enjoying a packed lunch while you are there – before taking a scenic detour to Earl’s Seat or returning back the way you came. The walk is lovely in the spring sunshine, but pay heed to signs about keeping dogs on the lead while passing through fields with lambs.
RSPB LOCHWINNOCH, RENFREWSHIRE
£3 for adults, £1.50 for children
Nothing quite says spring like the sound of birdsong. And at RSPB Lochwinnoch, you can currently enjoy the sound of sedge warblers and grasshopper warblers in the wetter areas of the reserve, as well as singing willow warblers, chiffchaffs, garden warblers, blackcaps and whitethroats in the woods. Frogs and toads can even be seen spawning in the water to truly cement the sense of new life that comes with springtime. It might be less than half an hour from Glasgow city centre, but the tranquil wetlands of the reserve truly feel a world away from urban life. www.rspb.org.uk
TEMPLETON WOODS, BIRKHILL, DUNDEE
With 150 acres of woodland to explore and an abundance of wildlife, all within 15 minutes drive of Dundee city centre, a visit to Templeton Woods is a a no-brainer for any Dundonians hoping to make the most of the improving spring weather. There are several different marked trails to follow, depending on how far you want to go, with the woods proving particularly popular with dog owners and families with young children. Look out for roe deer grazing in the forest (most commonly spotted at dawn and dusk), as well as buzzards calling out to as they soar above the tree tops. If the sun is shining, then there is also a large picnic area with BBQs near the main entrance.
ABERDEEN BEACH PROMENADE, ABERDEEN
A trip to Aberdeen isn’t complete without going to the beach, with the city providing a refreshingly rugged coastline despite its built-up centre. If you can withstand the bracing sea air then it also provides a great backdrop for a walk, with nearly two-and-ahalf miles of path from Footdee in the south to Bridge of Don in the north. You could also start from Torry Battery, a 30-minute walk from the North Esplanade, an area which is a wonderful place to spot marine wildlife. The area is a bit of a hotspot for dolphin activity, with the harbour proving a rich feeding ground for a pod of bottlenose dolphins. There are usually around two dozen dolphins present there, but seeing up to 50 is not unheard of.
PORTPATRICK TO KILLANTRINGAN LIGHTHOUSE, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
Portpatrick is possibly one of Scotland’s most scenic coastal towns. It provides a
great springboard for a number of scenic walks, with a particularly enjoyable route beginning in Portpatrick’s amphitheatrestyle seafront before following the rugged Southern Upland Way towards the Killantringan Lighthouse. A Category B-listed building, the lighthouse entered service in October 1900 before being automated in 1988. Though a lovely landmark it can take more than four hours to walk to the lighthouse and back – so not for the faint-hearted – but is well worth it for the views en route.
BLAWHORN MOSS, WEST LOTHIAN
The unusually well-preserved peatland of Blawhorn Moss is designated as a Category IV protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, leaving no doubt about its importance to the local landscape. There’s a special boardwalk that leads visitors across the peat without getting your shoes dirty, allowing for a great perspective of the plants, insects and birds that call this home. The best time to visit is between now and July. Look out for the fluffy bog cotton plants, frogspawn in the bog pools and even a red grouse bolting out from the heather.
DRUMPELLIER COUNTRY PARK, COATBRIDGE, NORTH LANARKSHIRE
This extensive park is set in over 500 acres of moorland, woodland and grassland and contains two lochs so there’s plenty of options for a walk. But if that isn’t enough, the Monklands Canal lies at the southern edge of the grounds and offers further opportunities for exploration by foot (or even by bike). The unique wildlife and biodiversity of Drumpellier has been recognised by a dedicated conservation programme, so if you are a nature lover it is well worth a visit.
BEINN DUBH, ARGYLL AND BUTE
As soon as the sun comes out, daytrippers tend to descend on the postcard village of Luss. On the shores of Loch Lomond, with rows of charming cottages and a small sandy beach, it is easy to see why the village proves so attractive to those trying to make the most of springtime sunshine. But what if you want to avoid the crowds and get a more dramatic perspective of Loch Lomond?