Hi! Looking for advice on walking trails in Scotland, but travelling with children (ages 6 and 9). Will be in Glasgow on business the third week in October and was hoping to take a few days (2 before my business in Glasgow and 3 after) and rent a car to see the beautiful landscape, castles, highlands, even seascapes, etc. The kids have travelled and love walking/hiking where they are outdoors (think "not museums again, Mom!"). My husband and I have been to Glasgow and Ednburgh, but not the countryside. Am I crazy to plan walks/hikes with the kids in late October (will have layers and layers of clothing)? And any suggestions of which regions/lochs/trails to see (of course, there's the lochness monster which every child wants to catch a glimpse of!)
Thanks in advance for your knowledgeable help and advice.
It can be a great time of year, the midges and the tourists are gone, but as at any time you risk rainy days.
I recommend heading up the west coast from Glasgow. This takes you via Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, to Fort William. You can head to the coast at Mallaig and take a day trip to the islands on the Small Isles Ferry. Or head further north onto Skye. Or south to Oban and other island options.
A lot of Scotland's hillwalking is big and rugged. In many cases too big and rugged for most of us. How big a walk are you and the kids up for?
A few ideas:
Walk from Kinlochleven to Blackwater reservoir, mostly along the top of the water conduits for the hydroelectric generator.
Google the CalMac timetable for the isle of Eigg on the Small Isles ferry and do the walk up the Sgurr of Eigg. An amazing pitchstone plug; on a clear day an outstanding view of the surrounding islands. There's usually one day a week you can do this as a daytrip with about 4 hours ashore.
From Oban take the 3 Islands daytrip, which takes you across Mull onto Iona (burial place of Scottish kings) and Staffa to see Fingal's Cave - an incredible volcanic landform.
On Skye, explore the Trotternish Ridge with walks to the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. Also the Fairy Glen is nearby.
[ 24-Sep-2016, at 06:22 by Andyf ]
With children 6 and 9, I don't imagine you want to do any long walks or difficult walks. I suggest you browse the following site for suitable walks.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/east-fife.shtml
The Fife Coastal Path as the name suggests, follows the coast and goes through several picturesque villages. You can walk from one to another and take a bus back to your starting point fairly easily. The Anstruther-Crail portion has the added advantage of letting you try what are arguably the best fish and chips in the world at the Anstruther Fish Bar. Besides the fish and chips, the kids will no doubt also love the attached candy shop with all kinds of 'penny candy'. http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/east-fife.shtml
The Walkhighlands site covers all of Scotland.
[ 24-Sep-2016, at 07:02 by OldPro ]
The Speyside Way is a great walk as you go from The Cairngorms to the coast. Its a long old way but is broken up into nice size chunks for a days walk and there are always parts you can jump on a bus from if you decide you're done for the day. The 61 mile reward is great wildlife watching in the national park and great sports at the Aviemore end and some dolphin watching, great fish and chips and boat rides at the Moray coast. Also the best scarily large scotch pancakes at the Baxters factory a culinary challenge any child would be up for!
[ 08-Oct-2016, at 10:23 by jojoz ]
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