Scotland is renowned for its rapidly changeable and unpredictable weather – but if you get caught out by the rain, it does have its advantages. Not only does it keep our ancient forests green and verdant, but the rain also powers our rivers and burns – and their waterfalls. Here’s our pick of some of Scotland’s most scenic and impressive cataracts. Plodda Falls, near Glen Affric Mighty Plodda Falls is not just one of Scotland’s most majestic falls, it is one of the most accessible too, requiring only a short walk from a parking area above Tomich, south of Glen…

Which is the hardest of the Munros? It’s a very subjective question – so this is always going to be a personal list. Those who struggle with scrambling or have a strong fear of heights are likely to regard the rockier and more technical mountains with trepidation. For others, fitness may be their limiting factor on days in the hills, and attempting the more remote mountains may require careful planning and the maximum of effort. The Inaccessible Pinnacle The name says it all really, doesn’t it? The Inaccessible Pinnacle (often abbreviated to the In Pinn) is mostly usually described as…

Looking for a break from the stresses of Christmas shopping? Here’s our updated guide to the best of Scotland’s eight cities – or is it nine? Edinburgh Scotland’s capital has recently been voted one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and with its combination of stunning architecture spanning the centuries and its dramatic landscape, it’s the perfect city to explore on foot. We feature routes that explore the wonders of both the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town, but be sure not to miss areas like Dean Village, or the Botanic Gardens. The Water of Leith provides a…

This is the second in our series of articles on a selection of walks you can reach by public transport from Scotland’s cities – check out the previous piece for public transport walks from Glasgow. We also have many walks within the city of Edinburgh itself – including each of Edinburgh’s Seven Hills. Tips for using Walkhighlands Whether you are using the free Walkhighlands app that lets you download our detailed route descriptions and GPS mapping for use offline, or just using the website, when doing any walk search you can specify if you are looking for walks that are accessible by public transport…

Islands. For many people, there’s a special feeling when you leave the mainland behind. Usually this means taking a boat – but there are also many islands to which you can walk across the sands, a causeway, or stony shores at low tide. Look at the map and spot all those Isle Ornsays and Oronsays – the name comes from the old Norse Örfirisey meaning “tidal” or “ebb island”. The walks below require a little more planning than most – so make sure you check those tide tables carefully if you want to avoid becoming stranded. Vallay, North Uist, Outer…

Whether you have no car, are trying to minimise your impact on the environment, or are just looking to save the stress of driving and instead enjoy the comfort of relaxing on a train rather than face driving home with tired legs, Scotland’s railways can help you reach some truly superb walks in comfort. Following on from last year’s article, we’ve selected another ten great walks you can reach using our railways, scattered all around the country. This article was sponsored by ScotRail, Scotland’s rail operator. Plockton Explorer, Plockton Walk the walk This short walk explores what is one of Scotland’s…

Taking in a huge swathe of Northeast Scotland, Aberdeenshire has remarkable variety. There’s the Granite City itself, set on a dramatic coastline of towering cliffs and perfect sandy beaches. Inland is a rural hinterland of rich farmland, dotted with castles and iconic smaller hills, rising in stature to the west into the high mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. Local residents know that it’s a real paradise for walking, but there are many secrets to discover for those from further afield. When you’ve finished your hike you’ll have built up an appetite to enjoy the fabulous local produce and world-famous…

Every Journey Starts a Story There’s little that can match the magic of visiting an island. Places are transformed by the feeling you get when you have to board a ferry and cross the water to reach them. Nowhere is this more true than with the Scottish islands, which have some of the finest mountain and maritime landscapes in Europe, teeming with wildlife including whales, dolphins, otters and spectacular seabird colonies. There are endless layers of human history to uncover too, from the prehistoric remains such as the standing stones at Callanish, evidence of the long era of Norse rule,…

If you asked someone to think of archetypal Scottish landscapes, mountains and lochs tend to be at the forefront. Yet Scotland’s convoluted coastline – not just on the mainland but on the many islands too – is no less glorious. Here we pick out a selection of 21 of the finest clifftop walks to be found all around the country. Duirinish peninsula, Isle of Skye Skye’s grandest sea cliffs are on the distant Duirinish peninsula. The highest of all are at Biod an Athair, but it is the coastal walk from Ramasaig to Orbost – around Idrigill Point – that…