... for a fab destination
away in Edinburgh’s suburbs. It is designed as a place for quiet contemplation, with benches and stone seats dotted around. You can also walk among “The Four Evangelists”, the Malleny’s 400-year-old yew trees.
Fyvie Castle
One of Aberdeenshire’s gems, Fyvie is an imposing fortress with a rich history. Past royal guests have included kings William the Lion around 1214 and later Robert the Bruce and Charles I. The grounds and land which surround Fyvie are stunning and crisscrossed by a network of paths. They also contain a picturesque loch and walled gardens.
Crathes Castle
Staying in the North East, Crathes Castle is a pictureperfect Scottish tower house, surrounded by woodlands, rivers and waterways, which are home to pine martens, otters, red kites, badgers, roe deer and red squirrels. Almost all of Scotland’s favourite mammals are frequently spotted in the grounds.
Corrieshalloch Gorge
Corrieshalloch is a National Nature Reserve a short drive from Ullapool and Inverness. The River Droma runs through a mile-long canyon and is crossed by a Victorian suspension bridge which overlooks a series of crashing waterfalls. There are two clearly marked pathways through surrounding woods.
Dollar Glen
Lose yourself for hours in this stunning glen, nestled in the shadow of the Ochil Hills and overlooked by the ruins of Castle Campbell. Paths disappear into the surrounding hills and woodland while one of the most beautifully named stretches of water in Scotland runs through it: the Burns of Care And Sorrow. Dollar Glen’s waterfalls are also a delight.
Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns
Gladstone’s Land is one of the longest-standing buildings on the Royal Mile and from there you can wander through the winding Old Town streets, into the neoclassical New Town. At its heart is the stunning Georgian House. Both properties form a perfect loop on a route which takes you through some of Edinburgh’s most beautiful streets.
Pollok House
Well known to generations of Glaswegians it’s hardly a hidden secret, but worth revisiting to remind yourself of the sheer scale and beauty of this southside oasis.
Factfile
Plan your day out and search for other adventures in your local area by visiting nts.org.uk and entering your town or postcode.
in 776BC, Olympia features a temple of Zeus (to whom the games were dedicated), the ancient stadium, and a museum explaining the story.
At Epidaurus, tourists can wander around a theatre famed for its acoustics, where performances are staged throughout the summer. Mycenae, with its giant stone walls, is famous for its connections to the Trojan War, while Mystras is decorated with Byzantine churches.
Aside from historical sites, beautiful beaches and seaside towns are the attraction.
Halkidiki coast
Fingers of sandy beaches are backed by forests along the Halkidiki coastline in northern Greece, where there are three mini peninsulas to discover.
While Kassandra is populated by tourist resorts, Sithonia is far less commercial and attracts adventurers to its traditional villages, Blue Flag beaches and secluded coves. But Gerakini and Psakoudia beaches both have a decent selection of tavernas and sun loungers for those who don’t like to be too cut off.
The least developed finger of land is Athos, where a holy mountain is the spiritual capital of the Orthodox Christian world and home to a traditional Byzantine monastic community.
Corfu
One of the first islands to establish a tourism industry, Corfu is perennially popular.
Influenced by the Venetians, French and English, baroque and Renaissance architecture characterises the Old Town, a Unesco world heritage site. Admire grand palaces and impressive fortresses, then dive into cobblestone alleys so narrow, residents can reach out and shake hands.
One of the best beaches is Mirtiotissa, on the west coast between the villages of Pelekas and Vatos. Secluded by rugged, steep cliffs, its beauty has been applauded by poets and writers – but privacy has also made it a favourite for nude bathers.
Nearly four million Brits go to Greece every year, which means the UK is one of its most important tourism markets. All arrivals have to present a negative Covid test taken within a 72-hour window, while arrivals from the UK have to undergo a rapid test on arrival as well.
Factfile
Remember, while it’s OK to plan ahead, due to the pandemic it is currently illegal to travel abroad on holiday. For the very latest guidance visit gov.uk and gov.scot