As you might know: I LOVE SCOTLAND. I visited this country for the first time in 2016, and ever since I have returned several times per year. I have visited the most beautiful landscapes here and I want to share some of my favorites with you.
Glencoe valley (Highlands)
The Glencoe valley is beautiful and easy to visit due to a road passing through it, and therefore it’s also very popular. Parking lots are often full of cars in high season and you share the hiking trails near the parking places with many others. I recommend you to make a longer hike, for example from Kingshouse to Kinlochleven, or from one of the parking places (if you can find a spot) up into the hills. Wake up and start early. Make sure to visit Glen Etive and ‘the Three Sisters’ when you visit this valley.
Rannoch Moor (Highlands)
If you want to experience being the only one on this planet, visit Rannoch More. This 50 square mile moor is very remote, quiet and peaceful. Do keep an eye on the weather forecast, you don’t want to get lost and off the path here, trust me. You can cross Rannoch Moor from Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe for an idea of the size of this area. You’ll have amazing views on the ways that you wouldn’t have from the car.
Morrone, near Braemar (Cairngorms)
A relatively easy hike up to a mountain top, with views SO worth the climb! Start your hike from the town called Braemar, bring a picnic for when you reach the top and walk up to the top of Morrone. It’s a very clear path, and it’s hard to get lost here once you reach the path. Do take a (digital) map with you for the first part of the route. The first time I tried to climb this mountain we got lost using the instructions of the tourist information office, but if you bring a map it’s obvious. From the top, you have amazing views over the Cairngorms NP.
The wilderness between Laggan and Newtonmore (Cairngorms)
I highly recommend hiking the part of the East Highland Way between Laggan and Newtonmore. This path through the wilderness is not marked, and sometimes there isn’t an actual path visible. Take a map and GPS/compass, just in case. Halfway, you find a bothy where you can have a rest or spend the night on the couches. This could be a day walk if you are very fit, and you could easily hitchhike back from Newtonmore to Laggan. Bring enough food for on the way, since you won’t find any signs of human life on the way. You can give your water a refill from the stream near the bothy.
The white beaches of Isle of Harris & Lewis (Herbrides)
The beaches on the Isle of Harris & Lewis makes me think of adds for tropical islands. White beaches, blue sea, green hills. But a cloudy sky and low temperatures make you realize you are actually still in Scotland. This island is relatively unpopular with tourists and therefore you can have the beach all to yourself, even in summer. I recommend hiking the Harris Walkway, a several day hike that ends on the Luskentyre Sands (beach).
Loch Coruisk on Isle of Skye (Herbrides)
I have very different memories of this loch on the Isle of Skye. I have been there in several weather conditions, from very sunny and hot to midnight thunder storms. And in all weather conditions this place was really beautiful, never boring. There is an easy (but long) hike from Slichagan Hotel and a more challenging route via the ‘Bad Step’ (what’s in a name). Towards the Bad Step there is also a bothy with several bunk beds, where you can spend the night if you want.
Want to do a photo session on one of these locations? I will be visiting Scotland several times this year. Send me a message for more info:
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