Scotland's 100 Best Walks

Just north of Kylesku Bridge

 

"Scotland's 100 Best Walks", Lomond Books, ISBN: 0-947782-66-4, is a veritable treasure trove compiled by Cameron McNeish, the UK's foremost hill walker (hiker) and broadcaster.

These are not long distance walking trails, although .......quite a few can be longer indeed! These are 'other' walks, from easy low-level walks along forest paths and coastlines, to longer and at times challenging mountain tracks. You want to walk? Look no further!

In the book itself you'll find detailed and anecdotal route descriptions sometimes rooted in history and legend. Truly a walker's delight!

I simply couldn't resist and have used the information to list these walks.

You want to know more? Go and get the book! Cameron McNeish is not only a true authority on hill walking, or 'hiking', but is a very accomplished and most entertaining writer as well. He is, as they say, the whole deal (or package).

Walks on the map!

A word of warning: Walking in the 'wilds' of Scotland can be tricky and sometimes outright dangerousDo not take unnecessary risks!

The horrible tragedy on the The Aonach Eagach Ridge (5 August 2023) which involved 3 people, serves to highlight the dangers.

Southern Hills And Coast

1

Glen Lochay Horseshoe near Killin. 25 km strenuous hill walk (8-10 hrs).

Start & Finish: FFJ2+GQF Killin


2

Tarmachan Horseshoe near Killin. 10 km moderate hill walk (3-5 hrs).

Start & Finish: GMWV+8CW Bridge of Balgie


3

Glen Ogle Railway Trail near Lochearnhead. 9 km easy low-level walk (3 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 9PP6+68P Lochearnhead


4

Ben More and Stob Binnein near Crianlarich. 15 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 9CXG+6GM Crianlarich


5

Beinn Laoigh (Ben Lui) near Crianlarich. 20 km moderate hill walk (7-9 hrs). 


6

Cruachan Horseshoe near Taynuilt. 15 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 9VVM+QG Dalmally


7

Beinn Lora near Benderloch. 5 km easy hill walk (2-3 hrs). 

Start & Finish: FHQW+858 Benderloch


8

Dunstaffnage Trail (Castle!) near Oban. 8 km easy low-level walk (3-4 hrs). 

Start & Finish: CGQJ+59Q Ganavan


9

The Cobbler near Arrochar. 15 km moderate hill walk (5-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 664X+68H Arrochar


10

Ben A'n (Am Binnein) near Aberfoyle. 6 km easy hill walk (2-3 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 6HMV+2FW Callander


11

Ben Ledi near Callander. 12 km easy/moderate hill walk (4-6 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 7P38+QH4 Callander


12

Ben Venue near Aberfoyle. 13 km easy/moderate hill walk (4-6 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 5GQ8+66X Ledard, Stirling


13

Ben Lomond (West Highland Way) near Drymen. 12 km easy/moderate hill walk (5-7 hrs). 


14

Conic Hill (West Highland Way) near Drymen. 10 km easy hill walk (4-6 hrs).


15

The Whangie near Milngavie. 5 km easy hill walk (2-4 hrs). 


16

Campsie Fells near Strathblane. 12 km easy/moderate hill walk (3-5 hrs). 

The Borders and the South West

17

The Merrick near Newton Stewart. 16 km strenuous hill walk (8-10 hrs). 


18

Solway's Castle Point near Dalbeattie. 9 km easy low-level walk (2-4 hrs). 

Start & Finish: V5JP+373 Dalbeattie


19

Criffel near Dumfries. 6.5 km easy hill walk (3-4 hrs). 

Start & Finish: X94R+37 Dumfries


20

St Mary's Loch-Traquair (Southern Upland Way) near Peebles. 20 km easy hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


21

Minchmoor and the Three Brethren near Selkirk. 16 km easy hill walk (5-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: H35G+8PF Selkirk


22

Taste of Ettrick near Moffat. 6 km easy hill walk (2-3 hrs). 

Start & Finish: CR9H+GM Selkirk


23

Lowther Hills (Southern Upland Way) near Moffat. 12 km easy hill walk (4-5 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 96WF+P7V Biggar


24

Hart Fell near Moffat. 13 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 9GMM+HWV Moffat


25

White Coomb & Grey Mare's Tail near Moffat. 7 km moderate hill walk (3-5 hrs). 

Start & Finish: CP96+6X5 Moffat


26

Eildon Hills near Melrose. 10 km easy hill walk (3-4 hrs). 

Start & Finish: H7XJ+F66 Melrose


27

Glensax Horseshoe near Peebles. 20 km moderate hill walk (7-9 hrs). 

Start & Finish: MR24+4W Peebles


28

Pentlands (Scald Law) near Edinburgh. 13.5 km moderate hill walk (4-6 hrs). 

Start & Finish: VQ3F+VX Edinburgh

Eastern Highlands and Coast

29

Region: Fife

Pittenweem To Fife Ness near St Andrews. 14 km moderate low-level walk (5-6 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 677G+95V Anstruther


30

Birnam Hill near Birnam. 7 km easy hill walk (2-4 hrs). 

Start & Finish: HC5C+PM3 Dunkeld


31

Birks Of Aberfeldy near Aberfeldy. 6.5 km easy low-level walk (2-3 hrs). 

Start & Finish: J48M+C89 Aberfeldy


32

Pitlochry's Lochs And Rivers near Pitlochry. 10 km moderate low-level walk (3-5 hrs). 

Start & Finish: P65X+4Q7 Pitlochry


33

Ben Vrackie-Speckled Hill near Pitlochry. 8 km easy hill walk (3-5 hrs). 

Start & Finish: P78F+42 Pitlochry


34

Driesh and Mayar near Kirriemuir. 14 km moderate hill walk (5-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: RVVX+8M8 Kirriemuir


35

Dark Lochnagar near Braemar. 30 km strenuous hill walk (8-10 hrs). 


36

Bennachie near Inverurie. 9 km easy hill walk (3-4 hrs)> 

Start & Finish: 7FMX+W5 Inverurie


37

Coastal Walk to Findlater Castle near Elgin. 8 km easy coastal walk (3-4 hrs). 

Start & Finish: M5VJ+H2 Buckie


38

Benn Rinnes-Whisky Hill near Dufftown. 9.5 km easy hill walk (3-5 hrs). 

Start & Finish: CR38+WF9 Keith


39

Abernethy Forest near Aviemore. 18 km long low-level walk (6-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 588F+2PX Aviemore


40

Meall a' Bhuachaille near Aviemore. 8 km easy hill walk (3-4 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 588F+2PX Aviemore


41

Around Loch an Eilein (Castle!) near Aviemore. 5 km moderate low-level walk (2-3 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 553G+Q4 Aviemore


42

Braeriach's High-Level Classic near Aviemore. 21 km moderate hill walk (8-10 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 48WC+G9 Aviemore


43

Ben Macdui (From The South) near Braemar. 30 km moderate hill walk (8-10 hrs). 

Start & Finish: XFQ4+RJ Braemar, Ballater


44

Corries Of Beinn a' Bhuird & Ben Avon near Braemar. 40 km strenuous hill walk (10-12 hrs). 


45

Lairig Ghru near Aviemore. 30 km long hill walk (10-14 hrs). 


46

Creag Bheag near Kingussie. 6 km easy hill walk (2 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 3WPV+V7C Kingussie


47

General Wade's Badenoch Road near Newtonmore. 24 km long low-level walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 3V8J+GW7 Newtonmore


48

Minigaig-Blair Atholl (Castle!) to Kingussie near Blair Atholl. 50 km strenuous 2 days hill walk (2 days). 


49

A' Chailleach, Monadh Liath near Newtonmore. 10 km moderate hill walk (4-6 hrs). 

Central Highlands

50

Creag Meagaidh near Spean Bridge. 16 km strenuous hill walk (7-9 hrs). 

Start & Finish: XG23+JRG Newtonmore


51

Beinn a'Chlachair near Spean Bridge. 20 km moderate hill walk (7-9 hrs). 

Start & Finish: WC6F+P9Q Roy Bridge


52

Ben Alder near Newtonmore. 50 km strenuous 2 days hill walk (2 days). 

Start & Finish: XHGW+437 Newtonmore


53

Rannoch Moor (West Highland Way) near Bridge of Orchy. 28 km moderate hill walk (8-10 hrs). 

Start & Finish: M535+CWM Ballachulish


54

Stob Ghabhar & Stob a'Choire Odhair (West Highland Way) near Bridge of Orchy. 20 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: G5RP+8GR Bridge of Orchy


55

Buachaille Etive Mor (West Highland Way) near Glencoe. 13 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: M37W+WG3 Ballachulish


56

Bidean nam Bian near Glencoe. 10 km moderate hill walk (5-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: MX9X+P54 Ballachulish


57

The Aonach Eagach near Glencoe. 6.5 km (moderate hill walk/scramble (3-5 hrs),

BUT you have to be careful! Accidents have happened there!. 

Start & Finish: M289+M2 Ballachulish


58

The Ring Of Steall near Fort William. 15 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


59

Glen Nevis Gorge & Meadows near Fort William. 6 km easy low-level walk (2-4 hrs). 


60

Ben Nevis & Carn Mor Dearg near Fort William. 20 km strenuous hill walk (7-9 hrs). 


61

Stob a'Choire Meadhoin & Stob Coire Easain near Spean Bridge. 15 km moderate hill walk (5-7 hrs). 

Western Highlands

62

Ardgour/Garbh Bheinn near Strontian. 13 km strenuous hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


63

Moidart/Ross-Bheinn Peninsula Hills near Glenfinnan. 16 km strenuous hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: V8CJ+P74 Lochailort


64

Moidart/Glenfinnan Corbetts near Glenfinnan. 12 km moderate hill walk (5-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: VFGF+X59 Glenfinnan


65

Streap near Glenfinnan. 14 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: VJ73+PM4 Glenfinnan


66

Knoydart/Sgurr na Ciche 'near' (20 km!) Achnacarry.  21 km strenuous hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


67

Knoydart/Ladhar Bheinn 'near' (40 km!) Invergarry. 35 km moderate 2 days hill walk (2 days). 


68

Beinn Sgritheall 'near' (25 km!) Shiel Bridge. 10 km moderate hill walk (5-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 49WH+JPM Camusbane, Kyle


69

The Saddle/An Diolaid near Shiel Bridge. 16 km moderate hill walk/scramble (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 5JGP+7F Shiel Bridge, Kyle


70

Gleouraich & Spidean Mialach 'near' (30 km!) Invergarry.  12 km moderate hill walk (4-6 hrs). 


71

Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan 'near' (30 km!) Invergarry. 22 km strenuous hill walk (7-9 hrs). 

Northern Highlands

72

Coire Lair horseshoe near Strathcarron. 16 km strenuous hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


73

Torridon/Beinn Damh near Shieldaig. 12 km moderate hill walk (5-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: GFH9+W9R Annat, Achnasheen


74

Torridon/Beinn Alligin near Shieldaig. 10 km moderate hill walk (4-6 hrs). 

Start & Finish: HC5P+CC Alligin, Achnasheen


75

Torridon/Liathach near Kinlochewe. 12 km strenuous hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


76

Torridon/Beinn Eighe near Kinlochewe. 16 km strenuous hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: HJ88+6J Coulin, Achnasheen


77

The Great Wilderness/Slioch near Kinlochewe. 20 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


78

The Great Wilderness/A'Mhaigdean near Dundonnelll. 40 km strenuous hill walk (10-14 hrs). 


79

The Great Wilderness/An Teallach near Dundonnell. 22 km strenuous hill walk (10-12 hrs). 


80

Seana Bhraigh near Ullapool. 25 km strenuous hill walk (8-10 hrs). 

Start & Finish: RW9P+WXM Inverlael, Garve


81

Assynt/Coigach & The Fiddler near Ullapool. 16 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: XVXW+QFV Ullapool


82

Assynt/Rubha Mor of Achnahaird near Lochinver. 16 km moderate hill walk (4-6 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 3JCM+7F Ullapool


83

Assynt/Stac Pollaidh near Lochinver. 3 km moderate hill walk (2-3 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 2QMV+R4 Ullapool


84

Assynt/Suilven near Lochinver.  25 km strenuous hill walk (8-10 hrs). 


85

Sutherland/Sandwood Bay near Kinlochbervie. 16 km moderate coastal walk (5-7 hrs). 

Start & Finish: FWR2+96 Blairmore, Lairg


86

Sutherland/Foinaven near Kinlochbervie. 28 km strenuous hill walk (12-15 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 839R+224 Achfary, Lairg


87

Sutherland/Ben Hope near Altnaharra. 7 km easy hill walk (4-6 hrs). 

The Islands

88

Region: Orkney Islands

Orkney-Isle of Hoy/Hills of Hoy. 19 km moderate coastal walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: WM8Q+F7 Stromness


89

Shetland-Isle of Unst/Hermaness Hill. 8 km moderate coastal walk (3-5 hrs). 


90

Isle of Harris/Clisham near Tarbert. 7 km moderate hill walk (4-5 hrs). 

Start & Finish: X62C+7G Isle of Harris


91

Isle of Skye/Marsco near Sligachan. 18 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


92

Isle of Skye/Sgurr nan Gillean near Slichagan. 16 km strenuous and technical hill walk/scramble (6-8 hrs). 


93

Isle of Skye/Bla Bheinn (Blaven) near Broadford 6.5 km moderate hill walk (4-6 hrs). 


94

Isle of Skye/Boreraig & Suisinish near Broadford. 16 km moderate coastal walk (6-8 hrs). 


95

Isle of Rum/Rum Cuillin near Kinloch. 21 km strenuous hill walk (8-12 hrs).

Start & Finish: 2P67+R5R Isle Of Rum


96

Isle of Mull/Ben More near Knock. 13 km moderate hill walk (6-8 hrs). 


97

Isle of Mull/Carsaig Arches near Carsaig. 13 km moderate coastal walk (5-7 hrs). 


98

Isle of Kerrera/The Green Isle near Balliemore. 12 km easy coastal walk (4-6 hrs). 

Start & Finish: 9FXM+W2 Balliemore, Oban


99

Isle of Jura/The Paps near Leargybreck. 16 km strenuous hill walk (6-8 hrs). 

Start & Finish: V3HC+FV8 Isle of Jura


100

Region: Ayrshire, Arran & Clyde Valley

Isle of Arran/Cir Mhor near Sannox. 13 km strenuous hill walk/scramble (4-6 hrs). 

Start & Finish: MR6V+MMV Isle of Arran