DK Travel : Scotland : Outdoor

Page
1
2
3
4
5
6

Buchaille Etive Mor

The “Great Shepherd of Etive” (954 m/3,129 ft) stands as guardian to the eastern entrance to Glencoe. As an introduction to a place of legendary beauty, this wild mountain could not be improved. Approached from the southwest it can be climbed easily, but its magnificent crags demand constant respect.
Carnoustie Championship Course

A delightful course, the superb links and great character of which have earned it a world-class reputation. You’ll need to present your handicap certificate to play here and reserve your tee in advance, but there are two other good links if you don’t get on the main one. It’s best to avoid the busy weekends throughout the year.
Cateran Trail

The Caterans, brigands and rustlers, roamed this area in the Middle Ages. Starting in Blair-gowrie’s soft-fruit hills, this circular route wends to the wild mountains of Glenshee, returning via beautiful Glenisla, offering some of the best of Perthshire. A quieter trail than most.
Cowal Way

If you like things a little wilder, try this one. The route is only partially marked, so take a good map. Start on the coast west of Glasgow at Portavadie and cross the hills to Glendaruel, Strachur and Arrochar.
Crarae Gardens

A superb woodland garden with one of the country’s most diverse collections of rhododendrons. Many of the seeds were originally gathered on private expeditions around the world and some species are now rare. In May the garden bursts into a brilliant mass of blooms and is worth travelling a long way to see (see Crarae Gardens) .
Dawyck Botanic Garden

An exciting outpost of the Edinburgh Botanic, where trees are the speciality. They began planting them here 300 years ago and have never stopped. The diversity is enormous and many specimens now rank as the finest examples of their kind. Ideal for great woodland walks in a particularly lovely part of the Borders.
Fife Coastal Path

One day this walk will connect the famous Tay and Forth Bridges. Currently it runs from North Queensferry, near Deep Sea World, to the East Neuk, taking in views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh, as well as the enchanting fishing villages of Earlsferry, Elie, Crail Pittenweem and Anstruther.
Formantine and Buchan Way

An easy route – it’s completely flat – along an old railway line. It extends north from Dyce through the fertile rolling farmland of Buchan to the busy fishing port of Fraserburgh.
Glasgow Gailes

Despite its name, it’s well down the coast from Glasgow and is considered one of the finest sea-edge courses. Great open vistas and fairways lined with heather add to its challenging holes. Western Gailes runs alongside and shares all the qualities of its more famous neighbour.
Gleneagles

Another legendary group of courses, in beautiful moorland attached to a luxurious hotel. Queen’s Course is the shortest, then comes King’s and finally Monarch’s, a marathon 6,475 m (7,081 yards). No handicap certificates required. Andrew Fairlie’s delectable restaurant is listed on pages 65 & 89.