Last year, a poll of seasoned travellers published in Wanderlust Magazine declared, once again, that the Scottish Highlands were the best holiday destination in the world, with a satisfaction rating of 98%.
Our only surprise in the magazine’s findings is in that missing 2%. We have to assume they voted for the remainder of the Scottish countryside beyond the Highlands. Because, in all honesty, from the country’s Shetland Islands up north all the way to Galloway Forest Park down south, we’ve never seen anywhere more vast, uncompromising and wild. And if you’re keen to see it, too, then you’ve come to the right place.
Scotland’s expansive and untamed scenery especially lends itself to adventure holidays full of eager exploration, wildlife watching, and a fair amount of daredevil deeds. If you’re looking for inspiration for such a trip, read on; here are 6 of the best places for an adventure holiday in the wild Scottish countryside.
GO PACKRAFTING ALONG THE RIVER TAY, FROM SOURCE TO SEA
The River Tay, Scotland’s longest river, originates on the slopes of Ben Tui in Western Scotland, running east through the Scottish Highlands, Perth and Dundee, before finishing in the North Sea.
One of Scotland’s big five salmon rivers, and famous for its angling opportunities, if you’re a keen fisher (or fish eater!) then a trip along the river, wild camping at night and traversing the river by day, could be right up your stream.
Secret Compass, who organise small group expeditions in Scotland, suggest packrafting along the river’s 120 miles, exploring mountains, moorland, lochs and river’s tributaries along the way. If you think all of this sounds a little too docile for an adventure holiday in Scotland’s wilds, then rest assured, the terrain (and water) gets pretty tricky, with some grade 2 and 3 rapids presenting a fair amount of adrenaline-raising challenges on your adventure.
HIKING THE HIGHLANDS
The Scottish Highlands are a thrill seeker’s dream, with mountaineering, hiking, cycling, kayaking and sailing all on your doorstep. Or rather, your tent flap; the Highlands are rural and isolated, and it’s incredibly rare you’ll stumble across a house here.
Having such vast, expansive scenery for Highlands hiking is the height of opulence for those who love an adventure, with Outside Magazine recently naming the 20 mile loop of Fisherfields Round as one of their 25 best hikes in the world. Known as the ‘Great Wilderness’ and containing the UK’s most remote square mile – at the peak of 3’343 Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair – this one’s not for the faint of heart; it’s a challenging, ever changing landscape with inclement weather and rough, rugged terrain. For those that brave the two days of hiking, however, the views are as striking as they come.
Alternatively, and perhaps the most famous of all hikes in the Highlands, is the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail, a 3 mile walk with stunning views of Loch Shiel and the railway bridge made famous in the Harry Potter films.
Or, if you’re looking for something significantly more challenging, then Ben Nevis, the UK’s tallest mountain, is a seven hour climb with rich rewards of stunning vistas at the summit. The best time to visit is between June and September; the weather is a little, well, uncompromising outside of those four months.
COLD WATER WILD SWIMMING ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
The Isle of Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebrides, is world famous for its cinematic vistas. In fact, it has been the backdrop to several Hollywood blockbusters, including the B.F.G and King Arthur: The Legend of the Sword. The island also presents perhaps Scotland’s best opportunity to see the Northern Lights, with nine (yes, nine) discovery sites offering views from October to March.
But today, you’re here for an adventure, right? The Isle of Skye has some fantastic opportunities for cold – and we mean cold – water wild swimming. The island boasts dozens of lochs, waterfalls and rock pools, with Loch Coruisk – meaning cauldron in Scottish Gaelic – considered the premier wild swimming spot on Skye.
Allt Daraich is another amazing place to take a dip. This hidden waterfall and collection of green pools are as refreshing as it comes, and have an almost mystical quality.
The Fairy Pools at Glenbrittle are yet another must-swim. These stunning rock pools at the foot of Black Cuillins mountains boast crystal clear spring water fed by a series of waterfalls, and are easily accessible for a quick, albeit cold, dip. Just stunning.
SPOT THE SHETLAND ISLES’ AMAZING WILDLIFE
The Shetland Isles have over 6,000 years of history and legend, with gripping stories of the islands’ Viking origins. But even before the Vikings arrived, the Shetlands were populated with a hugely diverse mixture of flora and fauna, and if you’re keen on wildlife spotting in Scotland, it’s to the Shetlands you should head.
Birdwatching is a particular highlight here; keep your eye out for gannets, guillemots, puffins, razorbills and kittiwakes. Dolphins and killer whales have been known to swim close to the shore here, too. But perhaps the islands’ most famous resident is the Shetland pony, who roam all over the Shetlands, but can mainly be seen on West Mainland, Scalloway, Tingwall, Dunrossness and the island of Unst.
Shetland is proudly part of the National Cycling Network, with the North Sea Cycle Route passing through the island giving an opportunity for riders to see wildlife at first hand and in motion if you’re doing things on two wheels. Speaking of which…
GO MOUNTAIN BIKING DOWN THE DEVIL’S STAIRCASE & CIARAN PATH, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Yep, you can also see some of wild Scotland’s most stunning spots while tearing down trails on two wheels.
There are organised mountain bike routes at gorgeous locations like Glentress, Kingussie, Aviemore and elsewhere, but it’s probably best to take some expert advice before heading into the Highlands under your own steam – the terrain can get rough and safety should always comes first. Take a look at this mountain biking guide from Visit Scotland for the lowdown.
The Devil’s Staircase and Ciaran Path, in Scotland’s Kinlochleven, is known for testing even the most advanced riders with its loose, rocky terrain, lactic baiting climbs and heart racing drops. It’s a near 25km loop set against a gorgeous, dramatic backdrop of mountains, rivers and lakes; you’ll welcome the excuse to take a breather in the name of ‘admiring the view’. In fact, there’s no shame in walking parts of this challenging trail; many, many don’t conquer it at all.
As the name alludes to, the Devil’s Staircase is one hell of a climb to begin the trail, but as keen mountain bikers love to joke, ‘you have to endure some grunts before the stunts’. After that, a descent into the small town of Kinlochleven serves primarily as a warm up for things to come; the views over Blackwater Dam which seem to suggest a sense of danger which is to follow are very apt indeed. That foreboding is largely justified; the final Ciaran Path is a thrilling but challenging ride, make no mistake.
RIDE THE OLD MILITARY ROAD ON MOTORBIKE
The Old Military Road (A93), which cuts a swathe through the Cairngorms National Park, is widely regarded as the U.K’s best road for driving and motorbike riding, taking you through the heart of the Scottish Highlands and past sights like Balmoral Castle, through the Cairnwell Pass and Glenshee ski region, and always with endless peaks and troughs on the horizon.
This route is filled with twisting hair pins, roller coaster-like ups and downs and steep gradients, plus the views are pretty good too. There is a wide variety of different wildlife in the Highlands so keep your eyes peeled for deer, snow rabbits and grouse, to name but a few. Taking on this road on a motorbike is one of the most liberating things you can do!
If you’re keen to explore Scotland’s urban side, then check out these 4 of the best city breaks in Scotland.