Page 200 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland
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198 TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS SPECIAL INTEREST S AND OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES 199
Walking in Scotland Walking Opportunities DIRECTORY
This section deals with low
It can truly be said that Scotland is a paradise for ramblers. level walking; mountain Forestry Commission
Many trails have been waymarked for the public making activities are covered on 231 Corstorphine Rd, Edinburgh
EH12 7AT.
Scotland a fantastic place to walk, whether you wish to stroll pages 200–201, and you can Tel (0300) 067 6156.
for an afternoon or spend weeks on the trail. Superb scenery also obtain information from ∑ forestry.gov.uk
the Moun taineering Council
is reasonably accessible, and the variety of terrain of Scotland. Over the Mountaineering Council
encompasses everything from craggy mountains years, greatly improved of Scotland
to gentle river valleys. Scotland also possesses path networks have been The Old Granary, West Mill St,
a mag nificent dramatic coastline, as well as developed, some through Perth PH1 5QP.
Tel (01738) 493942.
numerous islands to explore. The local tourist the national ∑ mountaineering.scot
Paths for All
information centre is always a good first port Partnership. National Trust for Scotland
of call if you are looking for advice or The networks Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Rd,
suggested routes. provide excel lent, Edinburgh EH11 4DF.
safe walking Above the clouds in Knoydart, looking to the Cuillin Hills on Skye Tel (0131) 458 0200.
Walking boots opportunities for ∑ nts.org.uk
restrict ions in mountain areas visitors. Some of the VisitScotland to obtain their Long-Distance Walks Paths for All Partnership
during the stagstalking season best networks are in the Borders New Walking Scotland brochure, Scotland has relatively few Inglewood House, Tullibody Rd,
(July to late October), but not and around Galloway, in Perth which describes walks in all formal longdistance routes, Alloa FK10 2HU.
on any areas owned by the shire (around Dunkeld and parts of Scot land. Their though the potential for mak ing Tel (01259) 218888.
National Trust for Scotland Pitlochry), in Aberdeenshire brochure also lists walking up your own is limitless. The ∑ pathsforall.org.uk
(see p208). (around Huntly), at Braemar festivals. three “official” routes are the 152 Ramblers’ Scotland
and on the island of Bute. These events, km (95mile) West Highland Way 1 Redheughs Rigg, Edinburgh
Local authorities and other that last up to from Glasgow to Fort William,
Clothing and Equipment agencies have created paths a week, offer the 340km (211mile) Southern EH1 9DQ.
Tel (0131) 472 7006.
The weather in Scotland is fickle. and published walking guides a wide range Upland Way from Portpatrick to ∑ ramblers.org.uk
It can snow in June or be balmy for remote areas, such as of guided Cockburnspath, and the 84km
in February, and conditions are Wester Ross, the Western Isles, walks along (52mile) Speyside Way from Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House,
liable to change rapidly. This Orkney and Shetland. Some of with a Spey Bay to Tomintoul. 1 Leachkin Rd, Inverness IV3
makes selecting the right clothing these walks tie in with ferry programme Other routes developed by 8NW.
and equip ment tricky. Even in services. Most have a cultural of evening local authorities include the Tel (01463) 725000.
summer, you should take a water or natural history theme, or entertain 100km (62mile) St Cuthbert’s ∑ snh.gov.uk
proof jacket if venturing far from incorporate a castle, waterfall ment. The Way from Melrose to Lindis
shelter. When going on a day or other place of interest. The Compass of the type first such farne, and the Fife Coastal Scotways
Long-distance trail signpost for walkers in walk, take waterproof trousers walks are generally from 6 to commonly used festival, Path from North Queensferry 24 Annandale St, Edinburgh EH7
the Spey river valley and a fleece or warm sweater. 12 km (4 to 7 miles) in length. by walkers held in to Tayport near the bridge over 4AN. Tel (0131) 558 1222.
∑ scotways.com
The art of being comfortable Tourist information centres are the Borders, the Tay to Dundee.
is to make your clothing adapt good starting places for more started in 1995. Others are now The three principal routes are Tiso
Right of Access able; several thin layers are details, or you can contact held in the Highlands, Deeside shown on the activities map 123–125 Rose Street Precinct,
In Scotland there is a statutory better than one thick and Perthshire, with more (see pp192–3). For information Edinburgh EH2 3DT.
right of access to most land for one. Head covering is starting up each year. about them, and others being Tel (0131) 225 9486.
recreational purposes. Access worth considering – a For information on organized developed, contact Scottish ∑ tiso.com
laws implemented in 2005 are cap for sunny days or a walks, contact Ramblers’ Natural Heritage and local VisitScotland
balanced by a Scottish Outdoor warmer hat for cold days. Scotland. There are also tourist information centres. Ocean Point One, 94 Ocean Drive,
Access Code giving guidance on For a walk of more than hundreds of miles of forest Edinburgh EH6 6JH.
respon sible conduct for users a couple of hours, take a trails and walks across the Tel (0131) 472 2222.
and managers of such land. drink and snack. If you country. The Forestry ∑ visitscotland.com/see-do/
Scotland’s long tradition of will be out all day, take Commission can provide activities/walking
open access has resulted in energy foods and liquids. you with general information. Waterstones
few routes being shown on Good footwear is Longer lowlevel routes 83 George St,
Ordnance Survey or other maps, essential. Country side being developed include the Edinburgh EH2 3ES.
although historic rights of way walks generally demand Fife Coastal Path, the Clyde Tel (0131) 226 2666.
are usually marked. Scotways strong shoes or boots. Walkway and the Speyside Way 153–157 Sauchiehall St,
holds the definitive maps Sturdy trainers (running extension to Aviemore. All Glasgow G2 3EW.
showing these routes. shoes) can be worn of these can easily be sampled Tel (0141) 332 9105.
Guidebooks available at large on roads or firm tracks, as day walks. ∑ waterstones.com
bookshops such as WH Smith but not on rough Spring and autumn are WH Smith
or Waterstones describe easily ground where you may especially lovely times of the Waverley Station, Edinburgh
walkable routes, many of which need ankle support. year for walking in Scotland. EH1 1BB. Tel (0131) 557 1175.
are signposted. Outdoor chain Lightweight walking The colouring is superb, and ∑ whsmith.co.uk
Tiso also sells maps and hiking boots are suitable for there is often a wider choice Surveying the scenery on a wintry day in
guides. There may be access most seasons. Looking out over Rannoch Moor of accommodation available. the Cairngorms
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