Page 194 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

192  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS SPECIAL INTEREST S AND OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  193

Outdoor Activities at a Glance

Only a handful of inland lochs and coastal waters have been Handa Island, off the SHETLAND
far northwest coast, is
exploited by commercial boating and watersports companies, one of a number of ISLANDS
though it is possible to use private vessels on many minor seabird reserves. Lerwick
lochs in wilderness areas. Likewise, organized skiing is confined
to just five centres. Of the country’s several hundred golf
courses, most are concentrated in Central and Southern
Scotland. This map plots the main centres for various popular
activities. For further information about particular sports StornowayStornoway ORKNEY Bird-watching (see p191) is in itself a reason
across Scotland, see pages 194–203. HelmsdaleHelmsdale ISLANDS to visit Scotland. The best sanctu aries are in
Kirkwall remote coastal areas where such delightful
species as puffins make their home on the
UllapoolUllapool sheer, wave­lashed cliffs.

FraserburghFraserburgh
Rock climbers and
mountaineers ElginElgin
(see p200) usually head InvernessInverness
for Glencoe, the
Cairngorms and the Kyle ofKyle of
Cuillin Hills on Skye. LochalshLochalsh
The Torridon range and
other formations AberdeenAberdeen
further north are also MallaigMallaig
popular choices.

Fort WilliamFort William Watersports (see p203) include canoeing, surfing,
windsurfing and diving. Visitors can book equip­
ment and courses through activities centres
DundeeDundee scattered around the country.
PerthPerth
ObanOban
Golf (see pp194–7)
attracts thousands
of visitors every year,
especially to the most
The West Highland StirlingStirling famous courses in
Way is the most Central Scotland,
famous long-distance DunbarDunbar such as St Andrews
The five skiing centres (see p201) are walk in Scotland, GlasgowGlasgow and Carnoustie.
encompassing a
Glencoe, the Nevis Range, Cairngorm wonderful variety EdinburghEdinburgh
(above), Glenshee and The Lecht. The of terrain. MotherwellMotherwell
skiing season usually gets under way AyrAyr GalashielsGalashiels
in December and lasts until April.
Walking (see pp198–9)
is tremendously
CampbeltownCampbeltown popular in Scotland,
and vast swathes of
Key the countryside are
open to the public.
Watersports
Sailing DumfriesDumfries
StranraerStranraer Pony-trekking oppor­
Major golf course
tunities (see p202) are
Birdwatching within easy reach of
Sailing (see p203) is popular
Skiing off the west coast and the Fishing (see p202) is the cities, in the gentle
Fishing islands. The calm waters of well catered for on the countryside of Southern
River Tweed in Southern
Pony trekking sheltered bays are suitable Scotland, and on Loch and Central Scotland,
for be ginners, while the Ness in the Highlands. and in the great moor
Major walking area and mountain wilder ness
open sea can be both exhil-
Mountaineering a rating and treacherous. of the Highlands.
Long-distance walk route Inland, Loch Ness offers 0 kilometres 50
sailing opportunities. 0 miles 50
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