Scotland Off the Beaten Track

Scottish Covid-19 restrictions are gradually easing. Travel within Scotland is now permitted again (hooray!), as well as travel from other parts of the UK. Travel to Scotland from outside the UK is not yet allowed, with dates still to be announced. Some accommodation and some tourist attractions have also reopened. Full guidance and the possible timetable for easing restrictions further can be found on the Scottish Government official website . There is a lot of pent-up demand, so some areas are exceptionally busy. Here are 3 things worth bearing in mind when out and about: [Travel within Scotland is now permitted again] 1) Be safe If planning a walk, choose a route well within your capabilities. Our fitness levels may take a while to adjust after lockdown! For hill or rural walks, make sure you are properly equipped with a detailed map, compass and suitable clothing. Many higher hills are still snow-covered and may require specialist winter equipment. Follow rules about maxi

North Ayrshire | Largs | Monument | ★ [The Pencil, Largs] In the middle of the 13th century, most of the islands off the west coast of modern-day Scotland were under Norse control, while the Scottish kings ruled the mainland. The Pencil Monument (very roughly) marks the spot where Viking longships ran aground at Largs in 1263 during a severe storm, attracting the attention of Scottish forces. Neither side was a clear winner in the resulting skirmish, but poor weather in the following days led the Norwegian party to flee for home - and so the Battle of Largs effectively marked the beginning of the end for the Viking West. Today, the area around the monument is a popular viewpoint, and the straightforward path from the town centre is an equally popular stroll. There's no need for directions - just follow the coastline; there's also a car park at the nearby marina. Want to learn more about Largs' Viking connections? Head to nearby Vikingar! . [The Pencil] Location &a

North Ayrshire | Largs | Museum | ★ [Largs Museum] In a town with such a wide variety of things to do as Largs , the old fashioned local museum is an easy one to miss, right in the town centre but tucked away on a side street. The many photographs and small artefacts relating to the town may only be of limited interest unless you have a personal connection, but you should also able to pick up the key for the magnificent Skelmorlie Aisle from here. Location & info 📌 Largs Museum ★ Manse Court, Largs town centre, G.R.: NS 202594 ///sleepy.fruits.increased 🚢🚆🚌 Ferry / train / bus to Largs | 🚗 Street parking nearby Open every afternoon, late May to early September | Free

North Ayrshire | Largs | Short walk | ★★★★ [Haylie Brae main viewpoint] Haylie Brae is the possibly the most dramatic of the several hilltop viewpoints around the seaside town of Largs , boasting outstanding views over the town and to the many islands and peninsulas dotting the Firth of Clyde. The islands of Great Cumbrae, Little Cumbrae, Arran, Bute and Ailsa Craig all make it into the panorama, not to mention parts of Kintyre and Cowal on the Argyll mainland. It's possible to drive to within a few hundred metres of the view indicator (see separate feature page ), but why not earn your views by taking the local's route to the top on foot? This starts amongst the carefully-tended surroundings of Douglas Park, and a short diversion is possible to Haylie Chambered Tomb en route. This ancient burial cairn dates to 3,000 BC, and still contained the remains of five corpses when the tomb was discovered by accident in 1772. [Views soon open up on the ascent] Location & in

North Ayrshire | Largs | Short walk | ★★★ [View from Cauld Rocks] Ayrshire's Gogo Glen has long been a popular destination for its woodland and waterfalls, but it's on the slopes above where activity is really stepping up. A seriously ambitious afforestation project was underway on our 2021 visit, and new paths have been constructed up to a small hilltop mast above Auchenmaid Craigs. The heavily engineered surfaces and wide steps seem a bit incongruous amidst the barren moorland, but make for a swift ascent to the top. The very best views are reserved, however, for a little further on at Cauld Rocks. Here, the foreground drops steeply away to reveal the town of Largs backed by the Firth of Clyde and its myriad islands. [Path towards Auchenmaid Craigs] Location & info 📌 Walk: Cauld Rocks steps up! ★★★ Start / finish on Bellesdale Avenue, 0.5 mi east of Largs town centre, G.R.: NS 212593 ///shortage.lunge.footpath 🚌 Eastern Avenue | 🚢🚆 Town centre (0.5 mi) h

North Ayrshire | Largs | Short walk | ★★★ [The Knock] A track winds all the way from fertile Noddsdale to the the summit of The Knock - passing free range chickens and other assorted farm animals on the way. The summit panorama is superb, taking in the Isle of Arran, The Cumbraes, Bute and the Cowal peninsula; the earthworks belonging to an iron age fort are also clearly visible. Save this one for a clear day. [Looking back across Noddsdale from the ascent] Location & info 📌 Walk: A Nodd to The Knock ★★★ Start / finish at track junction on Brisbane Glen Road, 1.5 mi north of Largs town centre, G.R.: NS 212617 ///horses.tree.amending 🚌 Glen Avenue (0.5 mi). Town centre (1.5 mi) has further train / bus connections | 🚗 Verge parking for a couple of cars only (don't block access). More space a short distance south in Raillies suburb ▶ 6 km / 4 mi | ▲ 190 m | ⌚ Short Features: △ The Knock (217 m) ⬤ Moderate | Good track, sustained ascent - becomes grassy with b

Argyll and Bute | Bridge of Orchy | Full day walk | ★★★★ [Beinn Achaladair] Four Munros form the Great Wall of Rannoch - a natural topographic barrier between the ancient kingdoms of Dalriada in the west and Pictland to the east. Traversing the entire range in a day makes for an epic expedition, but finishes several miles from the start point. We've split the group into two more practical chunks: Beinn Dòrain and Beinn an Dothaidh (described separately), and Beinn a' Chreachain and Beinn Achaladair (described here). This latter pair are both endowed with spectacular northern coires forming the main part of the "wall" along vast Rannoch Moor's southern edge. The ridge between the peaks makes for a very enjoyable walk, as do the tumbling burns followed on ascent and descent - though there is a fair amount of pathless ground to negotiate elsewhere. [The route has sensational views of Rannoch Moor and Loch Tulla] Location & info 📌 Walk: The Great Wall