Hikes in Scotland
Jul 28th, 2006 | 08:13 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12
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Hikes in Scotland
Hello,
My boyfriend and I are traveling to Ireland and Scotland in mid August. We are spending 4 days in Edinburgh. This is our first time visiting Scotland. We would like to take a day trip out of the city and possibly do a hike. We are in our mid twenties and are in good physical shape so a moderate to strenuous hike is preferred, but we are open to anything that would allow us to see some beautiful scenery. Can anyone recommend any areas that are accessible by public transport that offer good hiking opportunities? Again, we won't be able to stay overnight as our Edinburgh accomodations are booked, so a day trip is all we could afford.
Many Thanks!
My boyfriend and I are traveling to Ireland and Scotland in mid August. We are spending 4 days in Edinburgh. This is our first time visiting Scotland. We would like to take a day trip out of the city and possibly do a hike. We are in our mid twenties and are in good physical shape so a moderate to strenuous hike is preferred, but we are open to anything that would allow us to see some beautiful scenery. Can anyone recommend any areas that are accessible by public transport that offer good hiking opportunities? Again, we won't be able to stay overnight as our Edinburgh accomodations are booked, so a day trip is all we could afford.
Many Thanks!
Jul 28th, 2006 | 08:23 AM
#2
Joined: Feb 2006
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In addition to the hike that you are contemplating, you can spend a half day and hike up Arthur's Seat/Salisbury Crags, in the park adjacent to Holyrood Palace right in downtown Edinburgh. http://tinyurl.com/eomzj
The views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area are beautiful and it's pretty amazing to be in such wild surroundings right in the middle of an urban area. This was possibly our favorite thing in Edinburgh.
The views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area are beautiful and it's pretty amazing to be in such wild surroundings right in the middle of an urban area. This was possibly our favorite thing in Edinburgh.
Jul 30th, 2006 | 03:26 AM
#4
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 332
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There are lots of great options close to Edinburgh. My friend, who is a big hiker, recommends either going to the Pentlands (which are right outside Edinburgh and on the bus line), or possibly taking a train out to Blair Atholl or thereabouts and walking around the hills there.
Within Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat is great and offers great views of the city, and also Braid Hermitage has some nice trails. Both of these are easily accessible on the bus lines.
Have fun!
Within Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat is great and offers great views of the city, and also Braid Hermitage has some nice trails. Both of these are easily accessible on the bus lines.
Have fun!
Jul 30th, 2006 | 02:49 PM
#5
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 359
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Hi,
Definitely Arthur's Seat. Get a guidebook that includes the rest of Holyrood Park and you could spend most of a day, with a surprising amount of walking thrown in.
The Pentland Hills are close to the southern city boundary andeasy enough to reach by bus from the centre. They're not high even by Scottish standards (the highest is about 2,200 feet I think) so you can cover several in a day.
For something bigger and a bit further away, take the train to Pitlochry and climb Ben Vrackie (2,750 feet). This feels much more like a real mountain and on a clear day it has a sensational view. Halfway up there's a disused reservoir that you'll be unable to resist swimming in on the way down. The walk also take you past the Moulin Inn, and as you're travelling by train you'll be able to sample their home brewed specialties.
Blair Atholl wa mentioned. This is further up on the same train journey. The hills here are sublime but too far from the station to do them all on a day trip. The best known mountain in the area is Beinn a'Ghloe (Ben y Gloe on some maps) and is really a range of three separate mountains. You could probably do the first of these between trains but you would always have half an eye on the clock. An alternative from Blair Atholl would be to ignore the hill tops and walk into Glen Tilt, a special place in its own right. On balance though I would go for Pitlochry and Ben Vrackie. The extra time between trains may not look much on the timetable but it will make a big difference to how relaxed you can be on the day.
Wherever you go, have a great time.
Definitely Arthur's Seat. Get a guidebook that includes the rest of Holyrood Park and you could spend most of a day, with a surprising amount of walking thrown in.
The Pentland Hills are close to the southern city boundary andeasy enough to reach by bus from the centre. They're not high even by Scottish standards (the highest is about 2,200 feet I think) so you can cover several in a day.
For something bigger and a bit further away, take the train to Pitlochry and climb Ben Vrackie (2,750 feet). This feels much more like a real mountain and on a clear day it has a sensational view. Halfway up there's a disused reservoir that you'll be unable to resist swimming in on the way down. The walk also take you past the Moulin Inn, and as you're travelling by train you'll be able to sample their home brewed specialties.
Blair Atholl wa mentioned. This is further up on the same train journey. The hills here are sublime but too far from the station to do them all on a day trip. The best known mountain in the area is Beinn a'Ghloe (Ben y Gloe on some maps) and is really a range of three separate mountains. You could probably do the first of these between trains but you would always have half an eye on the clock. An alternative from Blair Atholl would be to ignore the hill tops and walk into Glen Tilt, a special place in its own right. On balance though I would go for Pitlochry and Ben Vrackie. The extra time between trains may not look much on the timetable but it will make a big difference to how relaxed you can be on the day.
Wherever you go, have a great time.
