Category guide
Nature in Scotland
Woodland trails, nature reserves and wildlife spots for a slower, outdoor day.
These are the places built around a walk rather than an exhibit — forest trails, reserves and nature centres where the entertainment is mostly what you find along the way.
Most cost nothing beyond parking, and almost all of them have a shorter loop for smaller legs alongside the longer route, so check the route options before committing to the full walk.
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Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Pollok Country Park
Glasgow’s largest park featuring woodland walks, Highland cattle, playgrounds and Pollok House.
Perthshire
Loch Leven Heritage Trail
Circular cycling and walking route around Loch Leven with wildlife spotting.
Fife
Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve
Large coastal nature reserve with forests, dunes and wide sandy beaches.
Cairngorms
Lochan Ora Walk
Short scenic walk near Aviemore suitable for families.
Loch Lomond And Trossachs
Flanders Moss Nature Reserve
Large raised bog nature reserve with boardwalk trails and wildlife viewing near Stirling.
Ayrshire And Arran
Fullarton Fairy Trail
Woodland fairy trail in Fullarton Woods near Troon with carved fairy doors and themed sculptures.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Linn Caves Baldernock
Small cave system and woodland walk near Baldernock popular for exploring and nature walks.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve
Nature reserve with wildlife trails, bird hides and family learning activities.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Greenbank Garden
National Trust garden in Clarkston with woodland walks and family-friendly outdoor space.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Milngavie Reservoir Walk
Scenic reservoir walk at the start of the West Highland Way.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Mugdock Country Park
Large regional park with woodland walks, castles, playparks and visitor centre.
Ayrshire And Arran
Arran Coastal Way
Long-distance coastal walking route around the island with beaches, wildlife and scenic viewpoints.
Ayrshire And Arran
Goatfell Summit Walk
The highest peak on Arran offering spectacular views across the island and mainland Scotland.
Ayrshire And Arran
Glenashdale Falls
Woodland walk leading to dramatic waterfalls and viewpoints.
Ayrshire And Arran
King's Caves
Sea caves linked with Robert the Bruce legend on Arran’s west coast.
Ayrshire And Arran
Holy Isle Viewpoint
Scenic viewpoint looking across to Holy Isle and the Firth of Clyde.
Ayrshire And Arran
Clauchlands Point Lighthouse
Scenic coastal spot with lighthouse and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Ayrshire And Arran
The Glaid Stone
Island viewpoint and large boulder offering wide views over the Clyde and surrounding islands.
Ayrshire And Arran
Cumbrae Rock Pools
Rock pools along the coastline ideal for children to explore marine life.
Ayrshire And Arran
Millport Promenade Walk
Flat seaside promenade ideal for walking, cycling and enjoying views across the Clyde.
Ayrshire And Arran
Little Cumbrae Viewpoint
Viewpoint looking towards Little Cumbrae island and lighthouse.
Highlands
Smoo Cave
Large sea cave near Durness combining a collapsed sinkhole with a waterfall inside.
Highlands
Rogie Falls
Woodland waterfall walk near Strathpeffer with a suspension bridge over the falls.
Skye
The Fairy Pools
Crystal-clear waterfalls and pools below the Black Cuillin, a popular family walk.
Skye
Old Man of Storr
Dramatic rock pinnacle above Portree reached by a well-trodden hill path.
Skye
Fairy Glen, Uig
Strange grassy cone-shaped hills near Uig that feel like a miniature landscape.
Moray And Speyside
Scottish Dolphin Centre
Wildlife centre at Spey Bay with views over one of Europe's best dolphin-watching spots.
Aberdeen And Aberdeenshire
Bennachie
Distinctive hill range with a visitor centre and family-friendly forest trails.
Angus And Dundee
Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre
Reserve overlooking a large tidal basin, with hides for watching wildfowl and waders.
Perthshire
The Hermitage
Woodland walk beside the River Braan to a folly overlooking a spectacular waterfall.
Perthshire
Queen's View, Loch Tummel
Famous viewpoint looking down Loch Tummel, said to be named for Queen Victoria.
Perthshire
Falls of Dochart, Killin
Tumbling waterfall running right through the middle of the village of Killin.
Cairngorms
Loch an Eilein
Forest loch with a ruined castle on an island, encircled by an easy walking trail.
Dumfries And Galloway
Caerlaverock Wetland Centre
WWT reserve famous for wintering barnacle geese, with hides and a play area.
Dumfries And Galloway
Galloway Forest Park
One of Europe's largest forest parks and a Dark Sky Park, with family cycling and walking trails.
Orkney
Marwick Head
Dramatic sea cliffs and an RSPB reserve, alive with seabirds in early summer.
Shetland
Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and Visitor Centre
Clifftop lighthouse with a nature centre and, in summer, puffins at close range.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Baron's Haugh RSPB Nature Reserve
Wetland reserve on the River Clyde in Motherwell with hides for watching wildfowl and waders.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Falls of Clyde
Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve above New Lanark with waterfalls, gorge walks and nesting peregrines.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Cumbernauld Glen
Scottish Wildlife Trust ancient woodland reserve with easy family walking trails.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Tinto Hill
Popular family hill walk near Symington with sweeping views from the summit cairn.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Mauldslie Woods
Riverside woodland near Carluke with waymarked paths along the Clyde.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Seven Lochs Wetland Park
Scotland's largest urban nature park, spanning lochs and wetlands on the Lanarkshire-Glasgow boundary.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Happendon Wood
Forestry Scotland woodland near Douglas with gentle family walking trails.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Clyde Valley Woodlands, Corehouse
National Nature Reserve of ancient gorge woodland above the Falls of Clyde.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Broadwood Loch
Local nature spot in Cumbernauld popular for fishing and an easy circular walk.
Ayrshire And Arran
Loudoun Hill
Ancient volcanic plug near Darvel and site of Robert the Bruce's first battle victory, with a summit path.
Ayrshire And Arran
Loch Doon
Scenic upland loch near Dalmellington with a relocated medieval castle on its shore.
Ayrshire And Arran
Turnberry Point
Coastal viewpoint and lighthouse at Turnberry, with views to Ailsa Craig and Arran.
Dumfries And Galloway
Grey Mare's Tail
One of Britain's highest waterfalls, tumbling 60 metres through an NTS nature reserve near Moffat.
Scottish Borders
Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre
Countryside centre near Jedburgh with waymarked woodland walks and a walled garden.
Scottish Borders
St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve
Dramatic sea cliffs and a lighthouse on the Berwickshire coast, alive with nesting seabirds in summer.
Scottish Borders
Scott's View
Famous viewpoint over the Tweed valley, said to be Sir Walter Scott's favourite spot.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Bishopbriggs Park Fairy Trail
Woodland fairy trail with carved doors and figures hidden along the paths in Bishopbriggs park.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Kilmardinny Loch
Small loch in Bearsden with an easy circular path, popular for wildlife spotting and a Gruffalo-themed trail.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
The Children's Wood
Community-run woodland in Glasgow's West End with natural play, a pond and a busy programme of free events.
Glasgow And Clyde Valley
Whitelee Wind Farm
Visitor centre and free walking and cycling trails around Europe's largest onshore wind farm, near Eaglesham.
Loch Lomond And Trossachs
David Marshall Lodge, Aberfoyle
Visitor centre above Aberfoyle with forest trails, a red squirrel hide and views over the Trossachs.
Loch Lomond And Trossachs
Lake of Menteith and Inchmahome Priory
Scotland's only named lake, with free lochside walks and a boat crossing to the ruined Inchmahome Priory.
Loch Lomond And Trossachs
Woodland Fairy Experience
Woodland trail near Balfron themed around fairies, with hidden doors and features for younger children to discover.
Fife
The Ecology Centre
Environmental education centre near Burntisland with woodland trails, a beach and hands-on nature activities.
Edinburgh And Lothians
Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
Ancient volcano in the heart of Edinburgh, with walking routes to the summit and views over the whole city.
Edinburgh And Lothians
John Muir Country Park
Extensive coastal country park near Dunbar named after the pioneering conservationist, with beaches, cliffs and woodland trails.
Edinburgh And Lothians
Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve
Scotland's first local nature reserve, a tidal bay and dune system on the East Lothian coast, reached by a wooden footbridge.
Edinburgh And Lothians
Pentland Hills at Flotterstone
Popular starting point for walks into the Pentland Hills Regional Park, just south of Edinburgh.
Loch Lomond And Trossachs
Bracklinn Falls
Waterfall walk near Callander with a footbridge over the gorge, recently rebuilt after storm damage.
Loch Lomond And Trossachs
Loch Katrine
Scenic loch at the heart of the Trossachs, with lochside walks, cycling and a historic steamship cruise.
Loch Lomond And Trossachs
Inversnaid RSPB Nature Reserve
RSPB reserve on the wooded eastern shore of Loch Lomond, with waterfall views and woodland bird trails.
Moray And Speyside
Nelson's Tower
Victorian tower on Cluny Hill above Forres, built to commemorate Admiral Nelson, with views across the Moray coast.
Moray And Speyside
Anagach Woods
Extensive native pinewood on the edge of Grantown-on-Spey, with a network of free, waymarked walking trails.
Cairngorms
Uath Lochans
Cluster of small lochans near Kincraig with an easy circular walk through pine forest, popular for wild swimming.
Cairngorms
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
National Nature Reserve on the hillside above Aviemore, with birch woodland trails and nesting peregrine falcons.
Cairngorms
Glenmore Forest
Extensive Caledonian pine forest between Aviemore and Cairngorm Mountain, with waymarked trails and a visitor centre.
Skye
Neist Point
Skye's most westerly point, with a dramatic clifftop walk out to a lighthouse and views to the Outer Hebrides.
Skye
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Dramatic clifftop viewpoint on Skye where a waterfall drops straight into the sea beside distinctively pleated cliffs.
Skye
The Old Bridge, Sligachan
Iconic stone bridge on Skye with the Cuillin mountains as a backdrop, a classic photo stop and short walk.
Orkney
Yesnaby
Dramatic sea cliffs on Orkney's west coast, with sea stacks, wildflowers and coastal walking trails.
Shetland
Eshaness
Spectacular volcanic sea cliffs in the north of Shetland's Mainland, with a lighthouse and dramatic coastal walks.
Perthshire
Deil's Cauldron
Waterfall and gorge walk near Comrie, with a footbridge over a dramatic rock pool known as the Devil's Cauldron.
Perthshire
The Birks of Aberfeldy
Woodland gorge walk above Aberfeldy made famous by Robert Burns, with waterfalls and a spectacular footbridge.
Argyll And The Isles
Aros Park
Free woodland park just outside Tobermory on Mull, with a loch, waterfall and easy walking trails.
Angus And Dundee
Kirrie Hill
Hill and park above Kirriemuir with play areas, woodland paths and views across Strathmore.
Angus And Dundee
Glen Esk
Remote glen in the Angus hills, with free walks around Loch Lee and the ruins of Invermark Castle.
Highlands
Chanonry Point
One of the best places in Europe to see dolphins from the shore, on the Black Isle near Fortrose.
Highlands
Fairy Glen, Rosemarkie
Wooded glen near Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, with waterfalls and an easy family walking trail.
Highlands
Plodda Falls
Spectacular 46-metre waterfall near Glen Affric, viewed from a dramatic horseshoe-shaped platform.
Highlands
Glen Affric
Widely regarded as one of Scotland's most beautiful glens, with free forest and loch walks near Cannich.
Highlands
Falls of Foyers
Dramatic waterfall on the eastern shore of Loch Ness, reached by a woodland walk near the village of Foyers.
Scottish Borders
Cardrona Forest
Forest near Peebles with waymarked walking and mountain biking trails through mixed woodland.
Scottish Borders
St Mary's Loch
Scenic loch in the Scottish Borders, with free lochside walks, watersports and views across the Yarrow Valley.
Scottish Borders
Duns Castle Grounds
Estate grounds around Duns Castle, with free woodland and loch walks in the Scottish Borders.
Dumfries And Galloway
Ken-Dee Marshes RSPB Reserve
RSPB wetland reserve near Castle Douglas, with hides overlooking marshland and a resident population of red kites.
Argyll And The Isles
Gruffalo Trail, Ardkinglas Estate
Themed woodland trail through Ardkinglas Estate near Cairndow, following the story of the Gruffalo.