The most beautiful natural sites to discover Scotland

The Merrick is the best known and most popular peak in the Galloway Hills. It is a Corbett (a mountain between 2,500 and 2,999 feet above sea level) 843 m high. The hike to its summit is relatively well marked and easy to follow. It starts at Bruce's Stone, at the head of Loch Trool. It offers splendid panoramic views of the Galloway Forest and crosses the Ben Yellary. As with all mountain climbs and hikes, a few minimum precautions are required: good physical condition, suitable equipment, good weather.

See also the site: www.fairisle.org.uk

The ornithological wealth of Fair Isle is exceptional: 350 species were observed on this ocean reduction. Like any rocky island in the North Atlantic, Fair Isle is home to many seabirds: over 20 000 puffin nest at the top of the cliffs, while the interior of the island is occupied by beautiful colonies of Arctic terns. It has a sub-species of caves found nowhere else, distinct from the endemic Shetland subspecies.

But Fair Isle is especially famous because it attracts a very large number of migrants, unusual or even lost from everywhere: North America, Siberia, etc. Bird traps, harmless, have been installed to identify rare species, which are observed especially during migration.

Even in summer, small passereaux can be captured, such as a crimson finches from Lapland, or a croisé of trees that live commonly in coniferous forests, particularly in the Alps. In summer, the breeding bird banding, young and adult of all species, is the main activity of a day at Fair Isle. The operation consists of capturing the bird, by means of a net, if it is an adult capable of flying and passing around a small ring of metal with the registration to identify it. Nearly 250 000 birds with more than 250 species were banded to Fair isle.

Fair Isle is also renowned for the traditional manufacture of wool sweaters among the most beautiful in the Shetland.

Inverawe has many attractions. There's something magical about the road alone! Once your vehicle is parked, several choices are available according to your desires: discover, through the museum area, how salmon are smoked, learn about fishing techniques, go for a walk following the proposed circuits (short walks) or taste smoked salmon on the spot in the café and shop area. In any case, don't leave on an empty stomach, it would be a shame!

This walk along the canal is really a classic of the region. It is recommended to take a bus from Lochgilphead to Coe and lunch on the charming bay that are small sailboats are before walking back to Lochgilphead. You can pass through the lovely villages of Bellanoch and Cairnbaan. Offering possible stops, they make the journey comfortable, not requiring any exceptional physical fitness. Just the taste of the walk! To the north of Bellanoch, on the canal, is Dunadd. This former siege of the kings of Dalriada dates back to 500 BC, a wild boar carved on the rock, emblem of the Campbell of Argyll family, and a deep mark that has the shape of a foot. According to historians, kings lay their feet here when they were crowning by praising them with water. Judging by the size of this footprint, the men of the time were to be smaller than today…

874 m. Not to notice this mountain from the port entrance, whose trim contours and the tip of snow give its full appearance to the bay of Brodick. About 5 hours are counted for his ascent from Cladach. At its summit, there is a remarkable panoramic view of the Firth of Clyde.

This is the name of the small mountain next to the castle. A short and easy walk leads to its summit, which offers a superb view of the loch and its surroundings.

A discrete, tree-lined bay that deserves to be mentioned for its great beauty.

Situated between Balmaha and Rowardennan, it offers a particularly soothing setting to take on its breath between two hikes. It is also possible to camp in the surroundings.

You can spend a whole afternoon on the banks of this absolutely beautiful loch north of Aberfoyle (follow the A821) for a walk or a picnic. It's a time to relax and enjoy the view of the clear water reflected in the wooded hills. It was the inspiration for Walter Scott's poem, The Lady of the Lake.

A great place for families, you can walk and bike along the loch. The highlight is a cruise on an old steamboat.

The signposted walk starts from the car park on the heights of the village of Callander. We first pass under spectacular boulders before skirting a river which leads to these impressive waterfalls running through a gorge before flowing into Keltie Water. The curious thing about this place is that it is on the boundary line between two species that do not mix: red squirrels and grey squirrels. Easy to access, this small 5.25 km hike can be completed in an hour and a half. The route is available for free download on walkhighlands.co.uk.

Always in the north, you will reach the breathtaking solitudes of Loch Maree and its untouched islands.

South of Gairloch, in this small village, where it - seem-T- them Vikings never set foot, are the most beautiful beaches in the area.

At the eastern entrance to Durness, along the A838, these impressive caves, inhabited since the Neolithic period, offer a magical journey to the centre of the earth. We can enter their antechamber and see a first superb waterfall, the Smoo Burn. The paying ticket will allow you to board a boat for a tour, accompanied by a guide. You can get information at the tourist office or directly on the spot during visiting hours. Also take advantage of stops to go walking on the heights of the cliffs: they offer superb views.

This 200 m waterfall is the highest in Britain. It is about 5 km from the road.

The mountain once stood at 15 000 feet. It overlooks, the Wilderness, a radically wild land that crosses a unique path along the coast. Approximately 6 km west of Tiroran House hotel, trees have fossilized in basalt. To see them, wait the low tide and get off the iron staircase. The most spectacular road in the north-east of the island (B 8073) descends from Dervaig to the south and joins the coast near Kilninian, where semi-precious stones can still be found. Very little known, because it is difficult to access, this part of the island offers stunning views of the Treshnish, about Na Keal and on the sea arm to the beautiful beauty of the inhabitants.

A natural reserve where wild geese, swans and other birds are resting from October to April. Safari organized at 11 h and 14 h each day.

This visitor centre provides valuable information about the valley's nature reserve and its history. Several species such as badgers, bats and hawks live here and can be observed depending on the season and time of day. His stunts inspired painters Turner and Wordsworth in their art. Dundaff Linn, Corra Linn and Bonnington Linn are some of the places that are accessible. It is reached via several footpaths that criss-cross the area.

Outdoor and interior park for the whole family with a mini-farmhouse where cows, goats, llamas, horses, rabbits… Little train tour of the park, go for children…

This short, easy and accessible walk offers superb views. Bruce's Stone stands on a magnificent vantage point overlooking the waters of Loch Trool (north shore). It is named in memory of Robert The Bruce, King of Scotland, and the Battle of Trool, fought in 1307. English soldiers were ambushed as they marched along the shores of the loch. Robert The Bruce's men attacked them by surprise, with stones. The victory was quick and bloody. Bruce's Stone is also the starting point for the Merrick ascent.

The most beautiful views and the nicest sites around Loch Ness are accessible from the south shore of Loch Ness. This route is less touristy but narrower (only one lane at a time), but it offers magnificent views and allows you to reconnect with the wild side of the Highlands, a little lost in the tourist surf around Nessie. To be admired on the road: Loch Tarff, Glen Morh and Loch Morh and the Falls of Foyers.

The Montrose Basin is an enclosed estuary of the South Esk River. It covers 750 hectares and is home to over 80,000 migratory birds, including rare species. The Visitor and Discovery Center provides an opportunity to learn about and explore the environment in a family-friendly setting. Binoculars and telescopes are available on site to observe the fauna without disturbing it. Events are regularly proposed.

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is the largest regional park in Scotland. It covers 280 km², west of Glasgow. Although it has a friendly coastal fringe at Lunderston Bay, most of its activities are inland, where the hills, which rise to 522m, are ideal for walking and cycling. There are three routes through the park: the Single Track Roads from Greenock to Largs and Dalry to Fairlie, and the A760 from Kilbirnie to Largs.

The Strathnaver Trail offers a journey back in time, through fabulous scenery and on a little-used secondary road. It passes through superb landscapes and 16 points of interest, all accessible and commented on, thanks to panels placed on each of them. Some of them require a bit of walking, and others are close to the road, with direct access. You will make stops according to your curiosity and historical interest. The other attraction of this itinerary is in the frequentation of the hills: the deer are at home there, and in numbers!

This beautiful park offers many kilometres of trails and paths for pleasant walks compiled in a dedicated brochure available on site. Fun itineraries, observation of the fauna and flora, discovery of the trees - endemic trees and species of the world, wandering in the French garden, excursion in the Japanese garden, exploration of the greenhouses and vegetable garden are all possibilities. Don't miss the remarkable architectural features: Pittencrieff House, Glen Pavilion, the double bridge, the statue of Andrew Carnegie...

This place does double duty. It is the starting point for walks and hikes in one of Aberdeenshire's most beautiful and well-known natural areas. From the summit of Oxen Craig (528m) or Mither Tap, to the trails through the beautiful forest of the Grampian Mountain Range. In the Visitor Centre you will find leaflets on possible tours and a permanent exhibition on the heritage of the area: how the hills were transformed, their flora and fauna, forestry..

Legend has it that Robert the Bruce took shelter in this cave before the Battle of Bannockburn and met the famous spider that encouraged him to continue his fight. He would have watched him fail six times, just as he had lost six times to the English. If the seventh was good for the spider, it would be good for him too. The spider succeeded: Robert the Bruce fought. Besides the legend, the cave is worth seeing for its beautiful surroundings. A 4.7 km marked trail leads to it between forests, panoramic views, moors and cliffs.

The taste for ascents and long hikes in Scotland can make us forget that there are also a lot of small hikes, with small differences in altitude, offering, also, beautiful landscapes. Two short walks (1 to 2 hours each) are accessible from the parking lot of Ciste Dubh. Their map is displayed and they are well marked. They invite you to discover a few acres of the Great Glen forest, follow the river and lead you to waterfalls and beautiful panoramas. Both are easy to follow: ideal for families and relaxation!

The Clava Cairns will interest history buffs andOutlander fans. The former will happily discover one of the most famous and impressive prehistoric sites in Scotland. The Clava Cairns are around 4,000 years old and were built to house the deceased. The cemetery has remained sacred for millennia and is a mine of information for research into Bronze Age beliefs. Two impressive spaces are open to the public, offering a moving visit. As forOutlander fans, their mere name will speak for itself.

The Lochleven nature reserve is a place of discovery for everyone. Amateur birdwatchers will find observation points for ospreys in summer, but also many migratory species. The RSPB Visitor Centre provides a lot of information about them. For fishermen, the name of the site will echo the world-famous brown trout of Loch Leven. Hikers will hike the 21 km Loch Leven Heritage Trail or shorter routes.