Page 204 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

202  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS SPECIAL INTEREST S AND OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  203

Other Outdoor Activities Sailing have the option of chartering
Scotland is a country of firths, a yacht. Centres such as Port
Scotland has a few surprises up its sleeve for people who still islands and sea lochs, and the Edgar Marina near Edinburgh
associate the country with old-fashioned tourist images. best way to explore them is by or the Scottish National
While traditional pursuits such as deer stalking or salmon boat. You do not necessarily Watersports Centre on
fishing still thrive, they are now complemented by a wide have to be a skilled sailor to Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde
do this, as some com panies
offer tuition for begin ners, while
range of more contemporary sports including mountain now offer supervised yachting experienced sailors will find
biking and even surf ing. Flanked by the North Sea and the holidays for novices. Visitors also serviced moorings for their own
Atlantic, Scotland has ample water for sailing, windsurfing craft in beauty spots up and
and fishing, while horse riding and cycling present excellent down the west coast and
ways to explore the country’s varied and dramatic landscapes. Splendid catch of the day from the River among the islands. Kayaking on Loch Eil in the shadow of
Tweed, Southern Scotland magnificent Ben Nevis
Watersports
there are opportunities for and deer stalking. Red deer also a favourite activity. The
sea angling, coarse fishing, and grouse are plentiful, while Surfing is not an activity normally Royal Yacht Association has
and game fishing for trout many estuaries and firths are associated with Scotland, but a information on sites across the
too. The Salmon and Trout wintering grounds for birds. good wetsuit and a sense of country. The top venue is the
Association has information Over the last 30 years or so, determination are all that is remote island of Tiree, which
on game fishing – the season hunting in Scotland has also needed. Pease Bay in East Lothian hosts a major windsurfing
runs from mid-February to attracted overseas visitors. For is a popu lar spot, as are some event in October every year.
the end of October. For coarse information on gun licensing north coast locations such as Canoes and kayaks can be
fishing and sea angling a and where to shoot, contact Dunnet Bay by Thurso and the rented on lochs and in shel tered
land owner’s permission is the British Association for north west tip of Lewis. Septem­ bays. The Scottish Water Ski
required before casting off. Shooting and Conservation. Wooden sailboat in the Sound of Sleat, just ber to October is the best time Centre has details on the best
The Scottish Federa tion for off the Isle of Skye for the waves. Windsurfing is places to water ski.
Coarse Angling and Scottish
Mountain biking in the Scottish Borders Federation of Sea Anglers Pony Trekking and DIRECTORY
Horse Riding
provide all the nec essary
Cycling and information. Contact the There are more than 60 trekking Cycling and Scottish Cycling Hunting ∑ theisleofskye
Mountain Biking Scottish Anglers National and riding centres across Mountain Biking Holidays British Association for trekkingcentre.co.uk
Cycling around Scotland is Association for general advice. Scotland, catering to a wide 7stanes 87 Perth St, Blairgowrie, Shooting & Conserv­ VisitScotland
one of the best ways to view range of abilities, inclu ding trips Peel Tower, Glentress Perthshire PH10 6DT. ation (Scotland) Tel (0131) 472 2222.
the country. The trails of the Hunting deep into the High lands for Forest, Peebles EH45 8NB. Tel (01250) 876100. Trochry, Dunkeld, Perth­ ∑ visitscotland.com
Highlands are near perfect experienced riders. Some offer Tel (0300) 067 6900. ∑ scotcycle.co.uk shire PH8 0DY. Tel (01350)
mountain-bike territory and The tradition of recreational accommodation, tuition and trail ∑ 7stanes.com Fishing 723226. ∑ basc.org.uk Sailing
the Forestry Commission has hunting can be traced back to riding, others provide trekking by Port Edgar Marina
opened a lot of the forest road the mid-1800s, when Queen the hour. VisitScotland has a BikeTrax Salmon and Trout Pony Trekking South Queensferry
network to mountain bikers. Victoria and Prince Albert set up complete list of all the centres. 13 Lochrin Place, Association and Horse Riding EH30 9SQ. Tel (0131) 331
There is also an expanding residence in Balmoral on Deeside. For rides in the Cairngorms Edinburgh EH3 9QX. Siskin, Bonar Bridge, 3330. ∑ portedgar
national cycle path network It became fashionable for British head to Newtonmore Riding Tel (0131) 228 6633. Sutherland IV24 3AW. Glen Tanar Equestrian marina.co.uk
to explore. The 7stanes are aristocrats to spend the autumn Centre. On Deeside is the ∑ biketrax.co.uk Tel (01863) 766767. Centre Scottish National
seven mountain-biking centres, shooting in Scotland. Large Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre, C.T.C. National ∑ salmon- Glen Tanar, Aboyne, Watersports Centre
with trails spanning the south of parts of the Highlands became and visitors to Skye should Cyclists Organisation troutscotland.org Royal Deeside AB34 5EU. Isle of Cumbrae, Ayreshire
Tel (01339) 886451.
Scotland, from the heart of the sport ing estates. Scotland try Skye Riding Centre. For Parklands, Railton Rd, ∑ glentanar.co.uk KA28 0HQ. Tel (01475)
Scottish Borders to Dumfries is recognized as pro viding a full-blown trekking holiday Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX. Scottish Anglers 530757. ∑ national
and Galloway. Edinburgh has a Europe’s best game shooting contact Highlands Unbridled. Tel (01483) 238301. National Association Highlands Unbridled centrecumbrae.org.uk
system of cycle paths on old ∑ cyclinguk.org National Game Angling North Wilds, Fendom, Tain
train tracks. BikeTrax is just one Centre, The Pier, Loch IV19 1PE . Tel (01862) Watersports
of many hire shops in the city. Forestry Commission Leven, Kinross KY13 8UF. 735007. ∑ highlands Royal Yacht
Scottish Cycling has informa tion Silvan House, 231 Tel (01577) 861116. unbridled.co.uk Association
on cycling events and races in Corstorphine Rd, ∑ sana.org.uk Newtonmore Caledonia House, South
and around the capital. EdinburghEH12 7AT. Riding Centre Gyle, Edinburgh EH12
A Cycling in Scotland book let Tel (0300) 067 6156. Scottish Federation Biallid Farm, Fort William 9DQ. Tel (0131) 317 7388.
for Coarse Angling
is available from tourist offices. ∑ forestry.gov.uk Rd, Newtonmore, ∑ ryascotland.org.uk
For details of cycling trips in Scottish Cycling Tel (07812) 241816. Inverness­shire PH20 1BP. Scottish Water Ski
Scotland, contact the C.T.C. Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, ∑ sfca.co.uk Tel (01540) 670000. Centre
National Cyclists Organisation Emirates Arena, Scottish Federation ∑ newtonmore Townhill Country Park,
and Scottish Cycling Holidays. 1000 London Rd, of Sea Anglers ridingcentre.com Townhill, Dunfermline
Glasgow G40 3HY Stitchill House, Kelso, Skye Riding Centre KY12 0HT. Tel (01383)
Fishing Tel (0141) 554 6021 TD5 7TB. Suladale, Portree, Isle of 620123. ∑ waterski
∑ britishcycling.org. Tel (01573) 470612. Skye IV51 9PA. andwakeboards
Although Scotland is most uk/scotland ∑ fishpal.com Tel (01470) 582419. scotland.co.uk
associated with salmon fishing, Visitors taking in the Scottish scenery on horseback

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