The Walk, Back…
Looks like the walk is making yet another comeback as restrictions kick in so, don your thermals and lace up your boots, for the crisp and clear Scottish winter is the perfect time to explore some of our country's most beautiful trails, coasts, and forests on foot. Particularly when a wholesome, heartwarming meal or a cosy room awaits your return. From the Isles to the Highlands, here are the idyllic routes to traverse this season.
ISLE OF SKYE
Coral Beach & The Three Chimneys
Coral Beach is one of the most unique beaches on the Isle of Skye. Formed from crushed white coral-like seaweed, the picture-perfect blue seas make the Coral Beach a truly magical location. Head along to the north of the island to the small crofting community of Claigan, a short drive away from Dunvegan Castle, before meandering along the farm track down to the beach. Coral Beach makes for the perfect weekend ramble before a spot of lunch.
Just a few miles along the road from the Coral Beach lies The Three Chimneys at Colbost, part of The Wee Hotel Company. Serving the best of the Isle of Skye, The Three Chimneys has established itself as a multi-award-winning destination dining experience for more than thirty years. The restaurant with rooms, set in a classic crofters cottage, is renowned for its hyper-local sourcing, bringing Orbost Farm beef, rare-breed Iron Age pork and wild venison to the table. Be sure to warm up with an aperitif in the cosy House-Over-By before dinner time.
ARGYLL
Isle of Lismore & The Pierhouse Hotel
Just a short ferry journey away from the mainland lies the Isle of Lismore, or Lios Mor, meaning the 'Great Garden' in Gaelic. Lismore is a 10-mile-long Inner Hebridean island situated at the very south end of the Great Glen. Known for its beauty and tranquillity, Lismore is a mere 10-minute ferry journey from Port Appin making it very popular with day-visitors. Explore the rugged coastline, hike to the peak of the island's highest hill, or simply soak in the island's rich heritage.
Conveniently located right by the Port Appin ferry terminal is Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant, a welcome retreat for weary legs. Tucked away on the shores of Loch Linnhe, The Pierhouse has quickly gained the reputation as one of Scotland's finest seafood restaurants, and with langoustines, lobsters, mussels, and oysters proving to be particularly delectable during the winter months. From local rope-grown mussels steamed in garlic to oysters freshly harvested from Loch Creran, grilled with smoked bacon and Mull cheddar, The Pierhouse is all about simple food, cooked to perfection.
PERTHSHIRE
Hermitage Wood & Gleneagles
Looking to stretch your legs without getting too out of breath? The rolling countryside surrounding the iconic Gleneagles offers a fantastic choice of riverside walks and woodland trails. Head for Hermitage Wood, where towering trees, water pools, and roaring waterfalls await you just 40 minutes from the hotel. Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, this magical forest was conceptualised as a pleasure ground for the Dukes of Atholl. Whilst it's beautiful through all seasons, the woodland is at its most spectacular in early winter when all the trees are ablaze with colour. Perfect for all the family, including four-legged companions, this easy route takes around two and a half hours in total to complete.
Of course, there's no better reward after all that exploring than a sumptuous meal in the luxurious surroundings of the nearby Gleneagles Hotel. Tuck into the finest cuisine and soak up the glamorous buzz of a bygone era in Gleneagles' elegant Strathearn restaurant, where the drama of the great outdoors meets the culinary theatre of traditional Gueridon service. Additionally, Gleneagles' Birnam Brasserie serves Scotland's most indulgent Sunday brunch on the first of every month, while the in-house team of pastry chefs create one of the country's finest afternoon teas. Enjoy it in the beautiful Glendevon room, which boasts magnificent views across the hotel's grounds and the Ochil Hills.
FIFE
West Sands Beach & Forgan's
In the famous seaside town of St Andrews, you will find two miles of uninterrupted, white and sandy beach; West Sands. Perfect for a leisurely stroll by the sea, and only fifteen minutes' walk from the town centre, West Sands is backed by dunes and the world-renowned Royal and Ancient Golf Course. It's no surprise that West Sands is an award-winning beach and provides a significant area of conservation for plants and animals, which is why it's imperative visitors to stick to the designated footpaths in place.
Set in a former 'cleek factory', where some of the world's best golf clubs were once manufactured, Forgan's has established itself as a place of genuine Scottish hospitality—throwing energetic ceilidhs and hosting exclusive meals in their cosy private bothies. The restaurant's uproarious atmosphere makes for an unforgettable dining experience with friends or the perfect for a memorable nightcap.
ABERDEENSHIRE
Glen Tanar Short Circular & The Boat Inn
A stone's throw from the Queen's beloved Balmoral estate, it's no coincidence that the area surrounding Aboyne is as breathtaking as landscapes come. With everything from Munros and flat terrain to choose from, you're sure to find a route that suits your capabilities. One of our favourites is undoubtedly the Glen Tanar Short Circular Walk; an 8.5-kilometre loop trail that features gorgeous riverscapes. It's even suitable for your four-legged friends, too.
Nestled along the banks of Royal Deeside, The Boat Inn offers beautiful, Scandi-Scot styled rooms, real log fires, a landscaped beer garden, and unrivalled pub grub. With the aforementioned walks, quite literally, on your doorstep, it's little wonder this inn is the refuge of choice for so many hikers.
EDINBURGH
Arthur's Seat and Prestonfield House Hotel
No trip to the Scottish capital is complete without a climb up the iconic Arthur's Seat. Keeping watch above the city of Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat hosts spectacular views looking across the Lothians and roughly takes just over an hour and a half to complete. Set in Holyrood Park, let the fresh air take your breath away as you sit over 250 metres above the city on what is now an extinct volcano. Described as a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design, Arthur's Seat is a popular route for both Edinburgh residents and tourists alike.
As you descend from your climb, take note of the historic five-star boutique hotel, Prestonfield House, that lies on the east side of the hill. Built in 1687 by architect Sir William Bruce, Prestonfield sits in its own private grounds within the city, creating a relaxing and tranquil environment in the centre of the capital. Lending itself perfectly to a well-deserved treat following a hike up Arthur's Seat, Prestonfield offers lunch and dinner as well as a decadent afternoon tea. Dine outside surrounded by the house's resident peacocks or inside amongst antique treasures collected by owner James Thomson.
HIGHLANDS
The Balgy Track & The Torridon
Explore the vast, natural playground of the Scottish Highlands surrounding one of the most remote hotels in the UK, and breathe in clean air, stride for miles through the rugged wilderness and reconnect with the great outdoors. Situated on the famous North Coast 500, The Torridon offers an abundance of routes for both expert hikers and beginner walkers to challenge themselves and discover lesser-known spots. Directly from the hotel, ramblers can follow the Balgy track along the side of Loch Torridon and around beguiling headlands, soaking up spectacular panoramic views of the water, and spotting seals and otters frolicking on the rocks and beaches below. The 4x4 track that connected Torridon and Shieldaig until 1964 takes walkers all the way to the Falls of Balgy, which comes with captivating views of the water as it cascades down from Loch Damnh to the sea as standard.
After a day's exploring, The Torridon is a welcome respite for weary walkers sinking into a sumptuous seat with a wee dram in the oak-panelled Whisky Bar, choosing from 365 malts to sample. Simple plates of nature are offered in the newly-designed 1887, where head chef Paul Green pairs classic techniques with produce sourced from the hotel's Torridon Farm and two-acre Kitchen Garden, elegantly showcasing the natural larder of the Scottish Highlands. Casual dining restaurant Bo & Muc, a few moments' walk from the Main House in The Stables, offers heartier, wholesome dishes in a relaxed atmosphere, with traditional Scottish Fare, local ales, and a crackling fire to warm the soul.