Coastal Walks - A guide to walking in Scotland.

Scotland Coast Walks: Your Guide to Scenic Paths & Trails!

Looking for a walking adventure? You're in the right place! From coastal paths to forest trails, mountain ranges to city routes, Scotland has it all. With these seven coastal walks to choose from, this guide will help you explore Scotland's great outdoors.

Our country covers 30,414 square miles, has a population of 5.2 million, and boasts over 7,300 miles of rugged coastline. While Glasgow and Edinburgh are Scotland's largest cities, much of the country has a low population, and the Northwest is one of the least inhabited places in Europe.

If you're ready to start your walking adventure, our campervans for hire can be used as a base and Scottish Tourer is happy to supply lots of free camping spots. You can reach out to our team for more information!
 

Scotland's Mountains

Looking to explore Scotland's mountains on foot? Look no further than Scottish Tourer! Our motorhomes for hire are the perfect base for exploring the country's 283 Munros, including the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. 
 

However, please be aware that during the winter months, only experienced mountaineers and climbers should attempt to summit Ben Nevis. In the summer, check the forecast carefully to ensure you have the correct clothing and equipment.
 

Scotland's Hiking Trails

Scotland has some of the best long-distance walking routes in the world: the West Highland way, The Southern Upland way, The Great Glen Way, all have fantastic scenery and are mainly off-road with no traffic. They are also well marked with a useful range of services along the routes. These trails can be enjoyed by those who only want to have a family day out and walking only sections of the route.
 

Scotland Coastal Walks

Discover the stunning beauty of Scotland's coastline with these coastal walking routes. The Fife Coastal Path, spanning 117 miles from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Tay, offers a range of breathtaking scenery and award-winning beaches, suitable for both novice and experienced walkers. The John Muir Way, a 137-mile trail crossing the center of Scotland, takes you through the birthplace of John Muir and offers stunning views over the East coast.

The Mull of Galloway Trail is a 37-mile route starting from the Isle of Mull, passing through Stranraer, and ending in Glenapp in South Ayrshire. For a shorter coastal walk, the West Island Way on the Isle of Bute runs for around 30 miles, offering a well-marked out route along the beautiful coastline, best enjoyed over two days. 
 

Our Top 7 Walks in Scotland

The following walking routes are each unique in their own way. Discover coastal paths, forest trails, mountain range, and city walks that can help you appreciate Scotland’s scenery and heritage.
 

1. Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis, standing at the height of 4400 ft, is close to the town of Fort William and described by experienced climbers and walkers as simply “The Ben.” Sometimes it’s called “Big Bad Ben” as it can be a very dangerous place, especially in winter. 

The normal path up to the summit is very well used and the main is relatively easy to follow and is used by thousands of walkers and visitors every year. This walk takes between five to seven hours to complete.

Please bear in mind that this is the highest mountain in the UK, and it can snow up to the top even in midsummer. Unless you are an experienced mountaineer or walker, it is advisable to go only between June and September.

It is imperative you check the weather forecast and have warm clothing and sturdy footwear before going. The weather on Ben Nevis can change from nice sunshine to chilling downpours of heavy rain, so make sure you are well equipped for all weather conditions. 
 

2. Arthur's Seat 

Perched high above the city of Edinburgh within the Hollyrood Park is Arthur’s Seat. There are various routes to the top, and it’s a bit of a scramble over the rocks to reach the top. 

There are a few other hilltops that you can explore around Edinburgh such as Castle Hill, Braids Hill, Calton Hill, Blackford Hill. They all take around two hours to complete.
 

3. West Highland Way

The West Highland Way goes from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William. At 96 miles, this route is quite a challenge to tackle in one go. However, the track can be broken down into segments which can be done as daily routes - meaning you don’t have to tackle the whole route from end to end in one go.

Part of the route can be split into a seven-hour stretch from Inversnaid to Inverarnan, which takes you through Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. However, bear in mind that this is quite a gruelling hike and is possibly the hardest part of the route.
 

4. Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail

If you have seen any of the Harry Potter films, then you will certainly recognise the Glenfinnan Viaduct. This trail is around 2.5 miles long (4km) with fantastic views of the Jacobite monument, which was built in 1815 to commemorate the Jacobite’s, with lovely views down to Loch Sheil.

The walk is around two hours on mainly easy tracks, although the path above the viaduct is quite steep. If you are lucky, you may be able to see and photograph the Flying Scotsman steam train crossing the viaduct.
 

5. Coire Gabhail

Coire Gabhail is situated within Glencoe which is packed with the most stunning walks through breath-taking scenery. This area is a mecca for ice climbing and mountaineering in the winter. They are also famous for the bloody Glencoe massacre between the clans of Macdonalds and Campbells.

Coire Gabhail also is known as the lost valley. It is rumoured the Macdonald clan would hide the rustled cattle from the surrounding clans in this valley. The hike will take around three hours, taking in the most stunning mountain scenery you are ever likely to see. The route is around 2.5 to 3 miles. 
 

6. Tobermory Bay to Aros Park

This coastal walk starts at Tobermory Bay on the Island of Mull situated on the West Coast of Scotland and is easily reached by a 1.5-hour Ferry crossing from the Mainland at Oban. 

This two-hour coastal path stretches up around the edge of the bay with views of Tobermory, and the colourful houses on the seafront. There are many viewpoints taking in the surrounding Islands such as the Isle of Islay known as the whiskey Island, due to there being no less than eight distilleries on this small island. 

Some of the more famous distilleries there are Laphroig, Lagavulin, and Bowmore. All the whiskies have a peaty type of flavour. 
 

7. Fife Coastal Path

The Fife Coastal Path starts at the Forth Estuary, which is in the south, then across to the Tay just across the river from Dundee in the north. The route is 117 miles in length and has been divided into eight segments, so it’s easier for route planning.

Don’t miss a visit to the world-famous fish and chip shop in Anstruther, which has been voted the best fish and chip shop in the UK for many years. The restaurant has been visited by Royalty including Prince Charles. They will probably have a large queue waiting but persevere as it will be worth the wait.

The coastal path, which passes through St. Andrews, can be broken up into sections which can be tackled on a daily basis. There is a 12-mile section from Burntisland to East Wemyss, which is a really good day walking experience. 
 

Plan your ultimate Scotland coastal walk with Scottish Tourer!

If you're planning a trip to Scotland to explore its beautiful mountains, coastal paths, and forest trails, consider renting one of our comfortable motorhomes. Travel at your own pace, wake up to stunning sea views, and enjoy the convenience of a fully equipped campervan as your base.

Book now to see the best option for you!