I have hiked Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano, a few times and it's not for the faint of heart…read more But if you want a challenging workout with fantastic views of Edinburgh as your reward, this is for you! There are a few different ways to make your way up to the top. For first timers, I would suggest taking the route near Holyrood Palace which, while not easy, is more gentle than the route near Pollock Halls. My first time up, I took the latter and ended up climbing up boulders - which felt a bit precarious. No matter which way you go up, bring lots of water and wear shoes with good traction. You will definitely feel like you accomplished something when you reach the top. And, as I mentioned, the views are spectacular! At the summit, I always make a point to touch both the white triangulation pillar and the bronze geographical indicator. On our most recent trip, it was April so the weather was perfect! The previous time, we hiked it in August when it was a little too warm and we were greeted by swarms of midges at the top!

What a great hike! Easy enough and walkable from the majority of Edinburgh. You can take a few…read moredifferent paths to get to the summit. We took the one on the edge of the cliff and it was steep, so maybe avoid that one. There is one that takes a dirt path that is a little less steep to get up to Arthur's Seat. This summit provides a beautiful panoramic view of Edinburgh. Open 24/7, it's definitely worth a visit (maybe even more than once!)

I only did a small portion of the 22 mile long walk, but the section I waked was lovely, and a nice…read moregreen corridor within a bustling city. I started at Dean Village, and walked through Dean Garden to the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. It was a nice alternative to walking the city streets or taking transport to the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, which was my destination. It took me just about an hour at an easy stroll with brief stops to take a few pictures. I sent a few of those pictures to some girlfriends and their comments were, "It's like you're in a storybook" and "Gorgeous, that can't be real." Take a look at the pictures and see if you agree. Or better yet, take a walk and see for yourself!

The Water of Leith is my happy place…read more Anytime I'm having an off day, it's a perfect little refuge just steps from my door for a wander and a think. The fact that you can traverse most of the city via its paths? Well sheesh, like I needed another reason to love Edinburgh...

First of all - the path to The Cobbler is not on The Chalets, that was just the closest I could…read moreget. You can park in car park off the A83 just across from that street (The Chalets). Cross the street and you're in! Logistics: The first part of the climb is a steep-ish zig-zag through the trees. It's not too hard, but will get your heart pumping. When you get above the tree line is when things really start to get fantastic. You walk through a magnificent valley filled to the brim with mountain streams, flora, and giant rocks that give the landscape an otherworldly feel. It's just one gorgeous vista after another, and the best part is it's mostly flat! But then...it gets tough. The ascent to the mountain is steep, and you will need serious hiking boots. Don't make the mistake we did. When you get to the fork, go right. If you go left, it is faster, but it's also a perilous climb up a rocky riverbed. If you go right, you will stay on a trail which is both easier and safer to climb. The Cobbler receives rave reviews all over the interwebs, and having tackled it this weekend, I can see why. I didn't even get to see those spectacular views from the top (it was foggy at the peak) and I was still amazed by it. I'd say anyone who is in reasonably good shape and has a pair of hiking boots and a waterproof jacket can do this round-trip in under six hours. This is the day trip to beat all day trips! You will be surrounded by beauty and feel amazing afterwards.

So today was a sunny spring day so a group of us decided to head to the whangie, I'd been before…read moreearlier in the year but it was so icey we had to turn back after only getting half way.. The whangie and Queens view is only 30 minutes from Glasgows city centre in the car, unfortunately I don't think there is any public transport to get there. There is a small car park at the bottom which on sunny days will be busy.. The first part of the walk is the toughest bit, but even then it's not that tough.. It's a lovely walk for walkers of all abilities.. There are parts which you have to be careful and concentrate on, but most of it is easy.. As I said today it's a talkie walk, which means you can chat whilst doing it without needing to catch your breath.. The views from the start are amazing you can see loch Lomond which today looked beautiful and blue.. Once you get to the top you see the actual Whangie.. It's a big piece of rock that has a slice through the middle which you can walk through, it is beautiful, I loved it.. Legend has it that the whangie was created by an angry dragon whose tail smashed through the rock, creating the slice.. It's a really lovely walk and to the top and back down took about 1 1/2 hours..

Holyrood Park is a large park home to a number of historic sites and landmarks accessible via a…read moretrail system, including Arthur's Seat, Hunter's Bog, Dunsapie Crag, St Anthony's Chapel, Duddingston Loch, and The Radical Road. I approached on foot the morning of Friday 19 July 2019, reaching a sign of the park and its trail system at approximately 9:31 a.m. There were a number of cars coming and going already. It was my first visit to the park, so I opted to walk and skip any hassle I might encounter with parking. I was happy with that decision as it was a quick look at the map to get my bearings and I was on my way without needing to find parking. For my final destination in the park for the visit, I chose to hike to the top of Arthur's Seat - remains of a volcano that was active over 300 million years ago. The trails were well maintained and well designed for handling a large number of hikers.

This hike was perfect!! Beautiful weather in June, over looked the city, not crowded at all, and…read moreeasy for a family to tackle together (just keep small ones away from the edges as some areas are steep drop offs abruptly).

Several months ago as we were planning our trip to Scotland, MIL sent me a clipping of an article…read moreshe'd spotted the "Washington Post": the best things to do in Scotland with kids. 1) She still snail-mails newspaper clippings. 2) We don't have kids. And 3) She knows her son well. As soon as I read about Raptor World, I broke out the laptop and e-mailed for a reservation. Husband's big on birds, even more so on those large birds of prey, so I booked the Thistle Experience for our first full day in Scotland. It was billed as a half-day, personalized experience in the Scottish countryside. And since our party comprised five people, no one else would be joining us (group size maxes out at six). The description is nearly exactly what we received. For a little over three hours, six of us -- including our capable guide, Stuart -- hiked through the Scottish country with two Harris hawks. We received a brief introduction to handling the birds, including how to hold them using gauntlets (thick leather gloves), release them to hunt, call them back and feed them. Our birds, Squeak and Orkney, were beautiful, patient and largely cooperative, and Stuart was incredibly knowledgeable and informative. We learned the history of falconry and were able to witness this ancient craft in action as Squeak and Orkney stalked prey amidst some truly spectacular scenery. Adding to the enjoyment were the verdant sheep pastures and farmlands, carved into the rocky hillsides, through which we passed (Scotland's Laws of Trespass allow public access to private lands so long as "no damage" is done to said lands). Raptor World's excursions leave from several places in Tayside. We departed from the Bridge of Cally Hotel in Blairgowrie where we met Stuart in his rugged Santana right on time. Prices vary by experience, but we ended up paying around US$150 (roughly £98) per person, which seemed reasonable considering the richness and length of our experience. When we got back home, husband declared that our Raptor World afternoon was his favorite experience of the trip -- ten days and dozens upon dozens of other experiences in between. I definitely feel like we discovered one of the best things to do in Scotland with kids at heart.

This is a very easy, very rewarding wee hike right outside Stirling. It's real simple. Just drive…read moreinto the town centre (of sorts) of Menstrie, right on the A91. Across from the Spar there's a big open green, at the back of which you'll see a Scouts Hall. Park somewhere near there. Follow the path to the left of the Hall. You'll see a sign that helpfully says "Path," pointing to a cement staircase curving up to the right. The first part of the climb is a bit blah, but once you get past the teensy dirt path and the weird abandoned hobo pit (don't be scared...it's all ancient rusty cans) and over the crest of the hill, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views. There are approximately 72,004 sheep to terrify you with their horns, who will promptly skitter away if you come within ten feet of them. The last little stretch to the top is somewhat steep, but definitely do-able. We were all in sneakers (or trainers, if you will) and during our one hour hike to the ascent we were lapped by a man who jogged to the top and back in under 30 minutes. If a guy can do it every day on his lunch break, then so can you. It's a mostly beautiful amble with spectacular views of the William Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle once you reach the top. Well worth a visit and definitely earns a trip to the pub afterwards.

This is a place that I didn't think I could do because of climbing hills but It's not all that bas…read moreas you can walk on the lower ground and still get a good view of things. I didn't climb any high hills for a bigger view, that's something I can go back to the Pentland Hills and do another day. Just walking about in the forest was pretty cool, i like that kind of thing plus it was so relaxing and peaceful. There was a sign that I passed, it was funny because someone altered the sign and it said "no parking, pissing place only" lol hehe. Did you knew that Amy Soldiers do exercise in Pentland Hills with firing there guns, a sign posted for warning, just in case you get a bullet in you bum. A great atmosphere at the Pentlands as everybody would pass you and say hello, it was nice, everyone was enjoying there day out. Ideal for walking your dog's or just hanging out with family/friends. Would consider going back again sometime very soon. https://socialsandi1.com/2018/08/05/pentlandhills-regional-park/

Wilderness, Waterfalls, Rivers and Raccoon's (well, maybe not these ;-) )…read more I was looking for a place to enjoy a nice afternoon stroll and which should be in proximity to Edinburgh city. Well, I am so lucky to live in a town surrounded by "mountains" which are called the Pentland Hills. There are several lakes/ water reservoirs in the Pentland Hills Regional Park which are accessible using several walking routes. We walked towards the Glencorse reservoir. A good start or end for the journey is the Flotterstone Inn and the Information centre nearby. Take your rucksack, get good walking boots, warm clothes and off it goes. Follow the paths which are clearly marked and you can't get lost. You might even pass an occasional waterfall! For the travelers without a car, you can hop on a bus and get off at Flotterstone Inn (but be careful - buses are a rare occurrence and you could be stranded) Lovely place!

Hi Guys, cycled…read morethrough Scottland from Glasgow to the northern boarder, to the ouder hebridies, to Edinburgh, back to Glasgow, twice. Took the boat from Inverness for return trip to Fort William - 30 years ag (1990/1991). Great experience - without any E-... . Today I am cycling an E-MTB:.. To take a rest we stopped in Fort William for 2 days - but did not rest... I a booklet we rent from university "Mountainbiking in the Scottish Highlands" a tour was described around Ben Nevis. (unfortunately at this time my English has had much room for improvements..... and I did not understand the rating "challening"...... Well, we started at 9 and arrived the West Highland was at 6pm, followed the West Highland way to Fort William and arrived in Fort William at 9pm. the B&B lady was so friendly (and afraid about her house.......) and offered us to wash and cleand our stuff - if we would leave it outside.......... It was really a very nice lady. we have had very good experience with Scottish. On the ouder hebridies we recognized that we needed a post office to collect some money - but unfortunately the only one was located north of the mountains on Lewis or Harris - dont remember which one is the northern one - and a postbus driver invited us to join him on his car and trip to Stokinish. It was such a nice experinece "bloody old English ...." 500times during the 2 hours trip. In the evenig he invited us to join us at legioneers Pub / Club. It was so nice. If I would find some power for the E I would do it again....... Great country, people, weather........(:...).

We did the WHW from 6th - 15th June this year and really enjoyed the hike over the 8 days, the trek…read moreis really good marked and we reached after 154 KM Fort William, I highly recommend to do this once in a life time :-)

This is such a peaceful tranquil area, a beautiful quiet peaceful place where you will see people…read morefish in the reservoir, trails and rock pools. There are beautiful lush trees, fields and the larger Threipmuir reservoir nearby overlooking the black hills! This is also a great place for dog walkers on a lovely sunny day!

Harlaw reservoir is located within the Pentlands Hills Regional Park…read more Ample parking on site and free to the public. Very peaceful and serene, there is also another reservoir nearby and the trail walk takes just under one hour. Also has great views of the mountains and depending where you are, the forth bridge against the sky. It's also only about 30 minutes from the city centre but feels like you're somewhere else, a new favorite place for a relaxing Sunday morning walk.