Scotland Off the Beaten Track

Fife | Tayport | Half day walk | ★★★

Expanding at a rate of up to 5 metres each year, Tentsmuir Point is the fastest-growing point in Scotland. Longshore drift and sediment from the River Tay combine here to create miles of pristine sand, the outer reaches frequented by both common and grey seals. The vast golden swathes are subject to tides, so time your walk to reach the Point around low water. On the way there, you'll have every opportunity to spot red squirrels in the 50 square miles of forest, while hundreds of teal and other ducks gather at Morton Lochs each winter by the start. If you're not interested in birds, beaches or trees, stay clear - you'll see little else all day.


📌 Walk: Tentsmuir - it grows on you... ★★★
▶ 16 km / 10 miles | ▲ 30 metres
Features: Tentsmuir NNR (forest, sands, seals & Morton Lochs)
Start / finish: Car park at Morton Lochs, off B945 2 miles south of Tayport, G.R.: NO 465264 ///kindness.mass.munch

Route: Start - Fetterdale - Tentsmuir Fore…

Fife | Balmerino | Abbey | ★★

Balmerino Abbey differs from most National Trust for Scotland sites. No gift shop, no guided tours (in fact, no staff at all) and happily no admission charge. Leaflets in a box near the entrance provided the information for our own exploration of the ruined 13th century monastery, partly held up by wooden props but still with some interesting architectural features visible. Also look out for the gnarly old Spanish Chestnut tree, reputed to have been planted to mark the abbey's founding (although signs on site put this in doubt!) in 1229.


📌Balmerino Abbey★★
Balmerino village centre, G.R.: NO 358247 ///straddled.frames.revival
Always open (exterior only) | Free

Fife | Ochil Hills | Half day walk | ★★★

Norman's Law only stands 285 metres above the Firth of Tay, but it's the highest hill in northern Fife, topped with trig point, view indicator and iron-age hill fort. Pheasant shooting may create a noisy backdrop to visits on winter weekends, but doesn't detract from the superb views along the length of the estuary and south to the Lomond Hills. Much of the Cairngorms, West and Central Highlands are also visible on a clear day - notably Schiehallion.


📌 Walk: Tay Norman's Law fae Luthrie ★★★
▶ 6 km / 4 miles | ▲ 290 metres
Summits: Norman's Law (285 metres, sub-2000')
Start / finish: Street parking, Luthrie village centre, G.R.: NO 331196 ///hurricane.hill.struts

Route: Start - Emily Wood - Carphin Farm - fork right off track just north of Black Craig - bealach at G.R.: NO 310201 - Norman's Law - return by outward route
Terrain: Tracks as far as Black Craig, churned by cows in places, then path to summit.
Wildlife today: P…

Stirling | Trossachs | Half day walk | ★★★

Just downstream of Loch Lubnaig the Garbh Uisge (Rough Water) cuts a deep valley between Ben Ledi and Meall Biorach. Here are the Falls of Leny - less a waterfall than a powerful set of rapids, focussed around where foaming waters are forced either side of a huge, tree-covered boulder. The old Callander to Oban railway bed provides a flat outward option, but rougher paths follow the river bank more loyally if not flooded, and you need to divert onto these at some stage to see the rapids - hopefully in spate. Wider views of this part of the Trossachs open up on the higher return to the start, with the Lade Inn just around the corner serving good food.


📌 Walk: Lady Inn & Leny - raw power of the Garbh Uisge ★★★
▶ 8 km / 5 miles | ▲ 220 metres
Features: Falls of Leny
Start / finish: Car park on east side of the A821 across the river from Kilmahog, G.R.: NN 608081 ///sides.theory.otters. Alternative start point 2 miles into the route at the Ben …

Renfrewshire | Paisley | Museum | ★★★

Despite an occasionally leaky roof and unbearably excessive heating, Paisley Museum is an excellent museum showcasing Scotland's largest town. A large main hall, art gallery and several subsidiary rooms show Paisley's history to be a lot broader than weaving alone (though there's ample space for that too). The back of the impressive Victorian building connects to the Coats Observatory: Scotland's oldest observatory. Tours from the museum run a few times daily, with nighttime telescope viewings over the winter months.


📌Paisley Museum★★★
Location: High Street, Paisley centre, G.R.: NS 480640 ///invite.back.having
Open (2019): Closed for major refurbishment - expected reopening in late 2022
Cost: Free

North Ayrshire | Kilwinning | Abbey | ★★

The south transept of this once great building soars high above Kilwinning town centre. The abbey was built in the 12th century as a daughter house of Kelso Abbey, with the widest medieval church in Scotland at its centre. Much of the stonework was plundered or demolished for a new church in the 1700s, but it's still a very attractive aspect of the town and Main Street. The impressive clock tower on the northwest side is a modern (well, early 19th century!) addition, and its interior is open to the public on summer Sundays afternoons; as well as seeing the museum exhibits, you can climb the spiral stairs to see the bells, chiming mechanism and the excellent views from the roof.


📌Kilwinning Abbey & Heritage Centre★★
Main Street, Kilwinning town centre, G.R.: NS 303433 ///dislikes.episode.fallen
Abbey ruins always open. Heritage centre: Easter long weekend plus Friday to Sunday afternoons, mid May to mid September | Free

North Ayrshire | Kilwinning | Park | ★★

Eglinton Castle is the centrepiece to this park straddling the Lugton Water near Kilwinning, the ruins the most tangible reminder of the large estate once belonging to the Earls of Eglinton. In 1839 the 13th earl hosted the Eglinton Tournament here celebrating Queen Victoria's coronation. This was one of the most lavish events the country had ever seen, re-enacting a medieval joust with 100,000 spectators attending. This being Scotland, torrential August rain marred the spectacle and scant evidence of the tournament remains. There's plenty else to see here if you live in the area though, with woodland, parkland and lochside walks linking the visitor centre, castle and various hidden-away buildings. Print out a map from the park website to get the best out of your visit, as signposting is limited.


📌Eglinton Country Park★★
Access from the A78 / A737 junction a mile south of Kilwinning town centre. Visitor centre is at G.R.: NS 320420 ///ear…