Walk up an appetite

Great walks and even better meals are the ultimate pairing, especially in Scotland where they’re a match made in heaven

Scotland is home to some of the most spectacular hiking opportunities in Europe. Whether in the hills on the coast, or best of all where the two meet, the breathtaking scenery rewards all levels of fitness and experience. It also has some of the UK’s finest restaurants, many of which can be combined with terrific short walks. All of which makes spring the perfect season to get your boots on and enjoy this menu of short walks recommended by some of Scotland’s best foodie destinations. From the Cairngorms National Park to the North Highlands, the Isle of Skye, Argyll and Edinburgh’s Port of Leith, here’s a choice of walking routes to whet your appetite for outdoor adventure, with delicious dining options to drink in the views after.

The Falls of Bruar, Cairngorms National Park

The Old Manse of Blair, Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry

Head for the Cairngorms the UK’s largest national park and to The Old Manse of Blair which is located close to Blair Castle. Blair Castle and the grounds have many walks to explore, but it is also near the Falls of Bruar, described as the greatest walk in Perthshire. The Falls of Bruar walk starts at the House of Bruar car park, you just follow the signs behind the retail complex following the Bruar burn upstream. The walk is 2.5km / 1.5 miles but allow 1.5 hours as it is fairly strenuous. On the way, you will be rewarded with views of the gorge from two stone bridges.

What better way to end your walk than with dinner or an overnight stay at the five-star hotel and restaurant The Old Manse of Blair, recently recognised by the prestigious Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland. Head Chef Scott Davies delivers a sensational dining experience with his take on Scottish-inspired cooking. He has an unwavering commitment to provenance, so the menus are inspired by nature’s bounty and the changing seasons. Expect show-stopping, locally foraged dishes that will surpass all expectations.

If you want more of a walking challenge you could tackle the trio of munros: Càrn Liath, Bràigh Coire Chruinn, and Càrn nan Gabhar known as Beinn A Ghlo – theoldmanseofblair.com.

Old Logging Way, the Cairngorms

The Old Bridge Inn, near Aviemore

Old Logging Way to Lochan Uaine (The Green Loch) follows the route taken by loggers in the 19th century who floated logs down the River Spey on their way to shipyards to be made into masts, hulls and decking. The well signposted walk is 10.5km (6.5 miles) each way.

The Old Bridge Inn sits on the banks of the famous River Spey and is a great place to start or finish a stroll along the Old Logging Way in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. It is a safe route for walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders to travel between the communities of Aviemore and Glenmore.

The Old Bridge Inn offers a roaring log fire, regular live music and great atmosphere, along with excellent food and a fine selection of cask ales, premium lagers and malt whiskies – oldbridgeinn.co.uk.

Clach Thoull, Argyll

The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant, Port Appin

The Wee Hotel Company’s, Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant is situated right by the Port Appin Lismore ferry terminal. If you are after a short stroll explore the Clach Thoull route 2.5km (1.5 miles), a short coastal walk along the promontory at Port Appin alongside the shores of Loch Linnhe, which will take you no more than 1 to 1.5 hours.

Just follow the track signposted behind the hotel, which meanders past cliffs and beaches and woodland. Expect to spot the caves, geological archway, seals, deer and plenty of bird life along the way. At the end of the track by a house you’ll spot a sign for Port Appin, head along the path in woodland and a grass field. Just follow this route through a gate onto a minor road you will end up where you started.

What better way to end your walk than with lunch or dinner at The Pierhouse. It is one of Scotland’s finest seafood restaurants, with a menu stuffed full of langoustines, lobsters, mussels and oysters. The Pierhouse’s ethos is all about locally sourced food simply cooked to perfection. It’s the place to enjoy a plate of local, rope-grown mussels steamed in garlic, a dish of oysters freshly harvested from Loch Creran, or a steaming souffle filled with tangy Mull cheddar – pierhousehotel.co.uk.

Plockton Coral Beach, Wester Ross

Plockton Inn, Plockton

The Plockton Inn Seafood Restaurant is an absolute must after a satisfying local walk. Seafood lovers must order the creel caught langoustines or Plockton Prawns as they’re known locally which are landed at the pier in the village. They also serve up a range of other local delicacies such as oysters, mussels, and fish, and don’t worry if you aren’t a seafood lover, there are other options for you. Why not wash it down with a pint of the local ale produced by Andy Wills of the Plockton Brewery.

The walk itself is straightforward but no less picturesque. As you come into Plockton, turn left going past the school and just follow the road, turn right then left. After the next couple of corners, you’ll spot a green caravan and a wooden footpath signed to the shore. Walk along the track and go through the gates and continue straight ahead, through the gorse bushes. Looking back there are great views towards the Applecross mountains. The path curves gently and continues downhill, down to the beach itself. The route is 1.4km (0.8 mile) and should take around 40 minutes. It is a beautiful peaceful spot where you will want to linger, but when you are hungry just return the same way you came and head to the Plockton Inn – plocktoninn.co.uk.

Scourie Headland, Sutherland

Kylesku Hotel, Kylesku, Lairg

A short 10-minute drive from Kylesku, is the place to go if you are in the mood for a 3km short coastal walk with stunning sea views. Park at Scourie beach to begin, wildlife fans can head to the bird hide but further on there is a bench with views across Scourie Bay. Follow your nose towards the headland where you find several cairns at the point. From there you can see the Old man of Stoer with mountains of Ben Stack, Quinag, Canisp and Suilven behind. Just retrace your steps then drive back to The Kylesku Hotel where the menu features as much locally based produce as possible. Situated on the lochside, deliveries of mussels, langoustines, lobsters, and crabs are landed directly in front of the restaurant and carried into the kitchen.

Kylesku Hotel offers foodies the choice of a fine dining restaurant or a dog-friendly bar. Expect the best of Scottish Highland larder to appear on the menu, including hand- dived scallops and lobsters from Ullapool and Oban, award-winning Highland fine cheese from Rory Stone in Tain, venison from Ardgay Game and Inchnadamph estate; as well as North Highland grass-fed beef from Nigg – kyleskuhotel.co.uk

Badaguish walks, Glenmore

The Penny Bun, Badaguish

The Penny Bun Eaterie has incredible views, and delicious food courtesy of chef Chris McCall. He prides himself on using locally-sourced and foraged produce to create a casual all-day menu, with seasonal specials. He works closely with farmers, fishermen, and foragers, to create dishes made with the freshest and most flavourful ingredients. Outside you can wander 2km, which should take around 30 minutes to see Loch Morlich, famous for being the highest beach in Britain, and the only freshwater beach in Scotland to have a Rural Beach Award. There are also paths from Badaguish over to Loch an Uaine & Ryvoan Bothy via Meall a’ Bhuachaille which can be done in sections or as shorter walks – thepennybun.co.uk

Water of Leith Walkway, Edinburgh

Fingal Hotel

Permanently berthed on Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront, Fingal Hotel is Scotland’s only luxury floating hotel. Opened in 2019, the former Northern Lighthouse Board tender is managed by the award-winning team at The Royal Yacht Britannia. Fingal Hotel is now a world-class foodie destination with all the glamour and style of a superyacht, but with an air of art deco luxury ocean liner elegance. Fingal Hotel is located close to the Water of Leith Walkway, which offers a variety of idyllic walking spots along its 13-mile route from the Port of Leith through the city of Edinburgh. A designated Urban Wildlife Site, it is home to brown trout, herons, kingfishers and otters. The route travels through many areas of interest including the Union Canal, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, as well as the neighbourhoods of Colinton Village, Stockbridge and Leith.

Open to non-residents for afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails, Fingal Hotel’s Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar offers a choice of self-contained private dining booths for small pre-booked groups. Fingal’s 22 luxury cabins are each named after Stevenson lighthouses, inspired by Fingal’s rich maritime heritage. The ship is now the ultimate in luxury accommodation and dining with a nautical twist – fingal.co.uk

Preparing for wild places…

Please cross reference all routes in this article with an OS map. Wear suitable outdoor gear and check the weather / local information, especially for mountains and tidal areas.