Fife Ness to St Andrews

Sunrise over the Forth

When we were treated to a beautiful sunrise it was clear the plan to do this walk today was inspired.  The start is back at Fife Ness but unlike last time we were instead walking north west to St Andrews which meant the sun was at our backs, so no squinting into the strong, low sun for us.  It is this attention to detail that raises our planning to an art-form.  And once again, weatherwise, the 2nd of January proved the best day of our holiday – you’ll remember similar conditions two years ago. Continue reading →

Queen’s View to Blair Atholl

blair-atholl-from-tulach

Jazz surveying Atholl

As a birthday treat my family wanted to join me on this walk: I must be mellowing with age because it was actually enjoyable.  This walk starts at the Forestry Commission car park for Allean Forest near Queen’s View on Loch Tummel.  This road is exciting for its scenery, lots of corners, and the chance to meet either a forestry lorry or dozens of tourist coaches taking up the entire road.  However, the walk soon leaves all that behind and you have the place to yourself. Continue reading →

Southend to Machrihanish (Almost)

Carskey BAy

Carskey Bay

A Spring holiday in Kintyre gave us the chance to walk the final section of the Kintyre Way.  The extended route is 100 miles from Tarbet in the north to Machrihanish in the south taking a meandering route across and down the peninsula.  This last section is regarded as the challenging final section that goes into some remote country.  Fortunately we had great weather as getting into bad weather here would be dangerous. Continue reading →

Mull of Galloway

Mull of Galloway

Mull of Galloway

The original idea while on a holiday in the Rhins was to do a section of the Mull of Galloway Trail heading north from the lighthouse.  However, this seemed to follow the main road  for a lot of the way and looked a bit dull compared to a circular route I found right at the end of the peninsula.  It’s not everyday you can see five countries from one spot!
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South Queensferry to Leith

2.5 Forth Bridges

2.5 Forth Bridges

Crikey!  A weekend with great weather?  Well, we just had to make use of this, so with some clever planning Jazz and I could continue our march eastwards on the John Muir Trail from South Queensferry to Leith.  It’s roughly 9 months since we were here and it’ll give us a chance to see how the new bridge is coming on.  I’m no civil engineer but I think they need to fill in the gaps before it’ll be ready. Continue reading →

Tighnabruaich to Portavadie

Cowal Way markers, TighnabruaichIt seems like months since Jazz and I have done a walk worth writing about.  A brief lull in the weather between Storms Gertrude and Henry gave us a chance to do the first section of the Cowal Way, although for boring reasons we did it in the wrong direction starting at the end of Tignabruaich and heading towards Portavadie where we were staying. Continue reading →

East Neuk of Fife

Sunset over St Monans harbour

St Monans harbour

When staying in St Monans on the East Neuk of Fife it seemed bizarre not to walk some of the Fife Coastal Path (FCP) as it passed 10m from our cottage.  The plan was to walk from Fife Ness along the Forth coast to Earlsferry.  This can be done in a day if you start promptly.  However, the Brat was staying with us and “prompt start” obviously means “any time before noon” in student-speak.  So we ended up splitting it over two days but the join is so seamless that you’ll never notice the photos switching from dusk to foggy day… Continue reading →

Loch Katrine Circuit

SS Sir Walter Scott

SS Sir Walter Scott

This easy walk (and cycle for those, suitably afflicted) is a great day out in the Trossachs. It also helps that the first third is on board a lovely old steam ship who isn’t coy about letting you look at her shiny engine: yes, the SS Sir Walter Scott. And it helps to pick a calm day, as we did, so that the reflections of the woods and hills in the water is stunning. Continue reading →

Sligachen to Elgol

Small Isles from Camusunary

Small Isles from Camusunary

You might remember the Colvend Coast claimed to be the best coastal walk in Britain.  Now it certainly was great, but today’s walk easily beats it.  With a bit of logistic skill the Missus dropped us off at Sligachen on Skye for a walk through the mountains to the coast on the other side and then a coastal section to Elgol. It might have been that we had picked a beautiful day, but this walk was simply stunning. Continue reading →