5 Amazing Walks In Scotland With Awesome Views

Scotland is filled with amazing walks and awesome views! We love travelling around and visiting all the beautiful places in our country so we’ve definitely come across some fantastic views through the last few years. Here are 5 amazing walks in Scotland with awesome views, all are easy enough for even children to attempt!

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Dun I, Isle of Iona

Iona is a stunning island with plenty of beaches and of course the famous Iona Abbey. However, if it’s a clear day I highly recommend the short walk up to the top of Dun I (pronounced Ee), the highest point on the Isle of Iona.

To get to the start walk along the main road to the North of the island, past the abbey. Just after you pass the Iona Pods on the left you will see a sign pointing the direction to the hill. Go through the small wooden gate and follow the path up the craggy hill. It’s only a 15 minute walk uphill, but it’s quite steep!

child standing on top of trig point on Dun I Iona

From the top of the hill you can see the whole of Iona, across to Mull and even as far as Jura in the South. In the North you can see across to the Treshnish Isles (where you can find large colonies of nesting puffins in the summer) and also the Isle of Staffa which has huge basalt columns.

Loch Katrine and Ben A’an, Stirlingshire

There are two walks to choose from here. The easy flat walk along a quiet road by Loch Katrine, or climb up the short but steep ascent to Ben A’an for the view down over Loch Katrine. Both of these routes you will want to don your walking socks and hiking boots for happy feet!

Loch Katrine

The views across Loch Katrine are what inspired Sir Walter Scott to write the famous Lady of the Lake poem. It is really stunning and if you walk (or cycle!) around the loch you will find many amazing views across the waters. Our favourite point is at a small jetty with a pebble beach where you can gain awesome views to the mountains in the West.

There is a large car park (paid) at the loch, accessed via the Duke’s Pass road from Aberfoyle or from Callander. From here you follow the tarmac road along the side of the loch. The access is only for the occupants of the houses by the loch (and deliveries!), but please keep an eye out for cars as obviously people do use it for access. You can actually walk all the way to the end of the loch at Stronachlachar, where it is possible to get the ferry back to the car park (or take the ferry out and walk back). It is a 20km route, so most people attempting this usually take bikes!

Ben A’an Views Over Loch Katrine

There is a car park for Ben A’an near the turn-off to Loch Katrine. You need to pay for parking and be aware it can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays. Don’t park anywhere on the road if you can’t get a space, instead try driving around the corner to the Ben Venue car park or head somewhere different if full! There’s been many near accidents due to people parking on the road here.

The walk up is very straight forward, just follow the path and marvel at the view from the top. Even younger children around 4-5 year olds can make it with enough stops and snacks. The only difficult part of the walk are the stone steps near the top, which are steep and can be slippy when wet.

Loch Coruisk, Isle of Skye

There are two ways to get to Loch Coruisk, the first is a very long walk in from the nearest road including the infamous ‘Bad step’. Or book a boat from Elgol to the loch where you can hop off and navigate the circumference of the loch back to the pier for a later boat.

Most people just take a short walk to admire the view over the loch and to the cuillin mountain range beyond. However if you ask to be picked up by a later boat then 3 hours should be enough to walk around the whole loch. The only problem is when there has been heavy rain and the stepping stones across the river are a bit difficult to cross. Hopefully it’s passable even if you do need to cross bare foot!

child jumping on rock beside Loch Coruisk with cuillin mountains behind shrouded in mist

Duncansby Stacks, John O’Groats

In the far North of Scotland near John O’Groats are the Duncansby Stacks. A well known stop off point on the NC500 route (Scotland’s equivalent to Route 66) it can be quite busy during June-August. However if you can visit on the shoulder season (May and September) you might find it a lot quieter, but still warm enough for a lovely walk!

The photo below is from our visit to the stacks in November. The light is lost quickly due to short daylight hours, but it’s a great view to the stacks and watching the many seabirds too!

Head to the lighthouse East of John O’Groats (there’s a road on the right signposted before you turn off into John O’Groats) and park by the lighthouse. Follow the well trodden path to Duncansby stacks (and beyond if you would like a longer walk!).

After a breezy walk along the cliff tops you will want to head back to your cosy cottage to change out of the outdoor clothing and snuggle up in loungewear. Preferably in front of a roaring fire, unless you have some unusually warm weather!

Kenmore Forest, Perthshire

Kenmore is a lovely little Perthshire town with plenty of eateries and views along the loch. If you would like an even more amazing view head up to Drummond Hill viewpoint. The car park for Drummond Hill is a forestry car park just off the A827, signposted Drummond Hill.

From the car park follow the winding, steep path up the hill to a junction where you turn left. Follow this path until you see a sign for the viewpoint on the left. You will emerge from the forest to be met with the most amazing view over Kenmore and Loch Tay!