Live And Breathe Scotland With These 9 Superb Long Distance Walks

Philip
Contributing Writer
Published
| 4 min read
Best long distance walks in Scotland

Majestic mountains, stunning lochs, blooming heather, and wilderness aplenty. They say that to truly experience a place, first, you must let it into your heart. And in Scotland, one of the best ways to do this is rucksack in hand. There are a myriad array of beautiful walks that you can experience if you wish to get to know the land the natives call Alba… and the country’s many long distance routes are a superb way to do just that.

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1. The West Highland Way (96 miles)

West Highland Way, Loch Lomond - geograph.org.uk - 686646
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chris Upson used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The West Highland Way is so closely linked to long distance walking in Scotland that its name has almost become shorthand for the pursuit. This 96-mile (150-kilometer) trek begins in Milngavie, north of Glasgow, and winds its way up to Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain. Between the two locations lie Scotland’s largest waterway, the 24-mile (39-kilometer) long Loch Lomond, and mile after mile of stunning countryside. A large number of Munros, mountains with summits over 3,000 feet (914 meters), also sit within touching distance of the route and make for a tempting target for the more intrepid hiker.

West Highland Way

Contact: +44 1389 722600 or whwmailbox@lochlomond-trossachs.org

Website: West Highland Way

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2. The Great Glen Way (77 miles)

Great Glen Way - View of Loch Ness from Fort Augustus
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gabriel Vidal used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

A dramatic fault line that cuts all the way across Scotland from the west to east coasts, the Great Glen is one of Scotland’s most impressive natural features. Home to four lochs, including the world-famous Loch Ness and its resident ‘monster,’ the glen stretches all the way from Fort William to Inverness. The glen is also home to the Caledonian Canal, a navigable 19th-century freshwater channel which links the sea and these waterways together. The 77-mile (130-kilometer) Great Glen Way follows its flat, low-level tow paths for much of its length, making it the ideal starting point for those taking on a long distance trail for the first time.

Great Glen Way

Contact: +44 1320 366633 or greatglen@highland.gov.uk

Website: Great Glen Way

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3. The Kintyre Way (100 miles)

Above Tarbert in Kintyre, looking north up Loch Fyne - geograph.org.uk - 1150693
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user David Gillis used under CC BY-SA 2.0

A relatively thin finger of land, the 30-mile (50-kilometer) Kintyre Peninsula may be part of the Scottish mainland, but you could easily kid yourself that you are on an island. Indeed the peninsula, which is never more than 11 miles (18 kilometers) across at its widest, is almost severed from the mainland at its northern extreme, the sea lochs of West and East Loch Tarbert almost meeting at the picturesque village which gives the waterways their name.

Kintyre Way

Contact: info@kintyreway.com

Website: Kintyre Way

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4. The Cowal Way (57 miles)

Arrochar Alps 004
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Postdlf used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The beautiful Cowal peninsula may sit relatively close to Glasgow, as the crow flies, but when you tread those hills, it feels like it could be light years away. Despite being part of the Scottish mainland, the quickest way to reach its principal town of Dunoon from Glasgow is still via ferry across the waters of the Firth of Clyde. This unusual quirk of geography lends the peninsula the kind of peace and tranquility you’d normally expect on an island, while still being within easy reach of Scotland’s biggest city. The Cowal Way takes that sense of peace and isolation even further, staying far removed from Dunoon along its 57-mile (95-kilometer) route.

Cowal Way

Contact: Contact Us

Website: Cowal Way

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5. Why stop at just one?

The Kyles of Bute at Auchenlochan, Tighnabruaich - geograph.org.uk - 918724
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Elliott Simpson used under CC BY-SA 2.0

If one long distance walk is not enough to satisfy your cravings for the big outdoors, then why stop there? The four walks already mentioned actually interconnect. Starting at Machrihanish on the Kintyre Way, it is possible to trek all the way to Inverness at the extreme north of The Great Glen Way without once breaking away from a designated footpath. The Kintyre Way connects to the Cowal Way via a 25-minute Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service between Tarbert and Portavadie. The Cowal Way’s easternmost end point at Inveruglas sits on the shores of Loch Lomond, a short passenger ferry crossing away from Inversnaid on the West Highland Way.

Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries

Contact: 0800 066 5000 (domestic), +44 1475 650 397 (international) or email enquiries@calmac.co.uk

Website: Caledonian MacBrayne

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6. The West Island Way (30 miles)

Colintraive Ferry - geograph.org.uk - 229513
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Donald Thomas used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The West Island Way is located on the picturesque island of Bute in the Firth of Clyde and, at 30 miles (50 kilometers), is the shortest long-distance trail on this list. Those who tackle the route will really get to know this beautiful and compact island, which measures just 10 miles (16 kilometers) long and is no more than four-and-a-half miles (7.5 kilometers) across at its widest point. It boasts stunning views across to the mainland as well as the islands of Arran, Inchmarnock, Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae. The island also has a number of beautiful beaches at the likes of Kilchattan, Stravannan Bay and Ettrick Bay, all of which lie on or near the path.

West Island Way

Website: West Island Way

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7. The Speyside Way (65 miles)

River Spey - geograph.org.uk - 1754104
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dave Fergusson used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Speyside Way stretches from Aviemore in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park to Buckie on the Moray coast. The 65-mile (105-kilometer) trail, which can be comfortably tackled in five to six days, follows the course of Scotland’s famous salmon fishing river, the Spey, and offers spectacular vistas of the Cairngorm mountains and the coastline of the Moray Firth. The trail also boasts a 15-mile (24-kilometer) spur near its midway point that leads to the village of Tomintoul.

Speyside Way

Contact: +44 1343 557046 or speyside.way@moray.gov.uk

Website: Speyside Way

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8. The Moray Coast Trail (44 miles)

Bow Fiddle Rock - geograph.org.uk - 1210319
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user JThomas used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Lovers of coastal walking will find much to enjoy on the Moray Coast Trail, which winds its way for 44 miles (74 kilometers) along the shoreline of the Moray Firth from Cullen in the east to Findhorn Bay and Forres at its western end point. In between, the path takes in disused railway viaducts, spectacular sandy beaches, caves and memorable sea arches such as the perfectly-named Bow Fiddle Rock at Portknockie. History fans are also well-catered for en route. The trail passes an ancient Pictish stronghold at Burghead, where a visitor center will teach you about this fascinating period of Scottish history.

Moray Coast Trail

Website: Moray Ways

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9. The Cateran Trail (64 miles)

Glen Shee near Blacklunans - geograph.org.uk - 712885
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Richard Webb used under CC BY-SA 2.0

This 64-mile (105-kilometer) circuit officially begins and ends at Blairgowrie and winds its way around the beautiful glens of the Perthshire and Angus border. Named after the Caterans, or cattle thieves, who once plied their illicit trade in these hills and mountains, this fully waymarked trail takes in the settlements of Alyth, Kirkton of Glenisla, Spittal of Glenshee and Kirkmichael. Landmarks to look out for include the castles of Forter and Dalnaglar.

Cateran Trail

Contact: +44 1738 476580

Website: Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust

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Where will your walk take you?

With these and many other stunning treks dotted all across Scotland, including the likes of the 220-mile (360-kilometer) Southern Upland Trail, the Arran Coastal Way and Rob Roy Way, the country boasts walks to suit every individual. See you on the hills!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Philip, a writer and photographer situated in the heart of the picturesque Scottish Highlands, is a seasoned professional journalist with a rich portfolio of contributions to various newspapers,...Read more

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