Festive Feature: Scotland’s top winter walks for mind and body

For inspiration, NatureScot has put together a list of top winter walks with something to interest everyone. Whether looking for wildlife, going for a hike with friends or family or simply escaping for some peace and quiet, nature is nearby for many of us and open all year round.

Scotland’s nature agency looks after 29 of the 43 National Nature Reserves across Scotland, offering visitors the chance to explore woodlands, beaches, lochs and mountains with dedicated footpaths ranging from short flat trails to steep hikes.

Susan Luurtsema, Nature Reserves Senior Adviser said: “Our nature reserves are spread across the length and breadth of Scotland, and they give people the opportunity to enjoy the incredible sights and sounds of nature.

“It’s tempting to stay indoors on colder, darker days, but we really want to encourage people outside because it brings so many benefits. Spending time in nature is good for our mental and physical health, improving mood, lowering stress and even helping us to sleep better. Even a short, 20-minute walk has been shown to have a positive effect.”

Here are just some of the many walks you can enjoy at Scotland’s National Nature Reserves this winter:

Beinn Eighe, Ross-shire – one-hour circular route from reserve car park.

The woodland trail at Beinn Eighe is a wonderful short introduction to the best of Britain’s oldest national nature reserve.

The path leaves the car park at Coille na Glas-Leitire (the wood of the grey slope) on the shores of Loch Maree and winds up through the ancient Scots pines, with superb views back over the loch to shapely Slioch mountain beyond.

Pick up a leaflet before you set off to learn more about the reserve's many different habitats and species along the trail, from pine martens to golden eagles. While the route is only about 1.5 kms long, you’ll want at least an hour to enjoy it to the full, and those craving more of a challenge can extend the walk by following the longer and more difficult mountain trail.

Nearby Kinlochewe has a garage, café and shop. Find out more about visiting Beinn Eighe NNR.

Blawhorn Moss, West Lothian – easy 2km walk from reserve car park.

Barely a stone’s throw from the M8, Blawhorn Moss is a hidden treasure and a rare survivor of the ancient blanket bog that once covered much of Central Scotland.

From the carpark follow the 700-metre track until you reach the reserve entrance. Head out onto the path where you can absorb the wide vistas across the windswept moorland. Step along the boardwalk where you’ll experience the sights and sounds of a living bog, as well as some stunning sculptures of bog life.

In winter, you may catch a glimpse of a short-eared owl, hunting for prey, or a hen harrier at dusk, searching for a place to roost.

Blawhorn is just a few minutes from the Edinburgh to Glasgow national cycle route 75, so is a great stop off for a leg stretch. Find out more about visiting Blawhorn Moss NNR.

Cairnsmore of Fleet, Dumfries & Galloway – 3km circular route from visitor centre. 

One of the wildest places in south-west Scotland, Cairnsmore is a walkers’ paradise, with panoramic views over a patchwork landscape and the chance to see stunning birds of prey in flight.

The low-level In-Bye trail starts and ends at the visitor centre at Dromore and runs below the dramatic broken crags of Clints of Dromore. The path is mostly good track with a grass section, steps and a boardwalk.

To explore more of the reserve hunt for five sculptures by local artist, Matt Baker, featuring poems by Mary Smith – some are easier to find than others. Sit on Ali Jeffries beautifully sculpted ‘cloud seat’ at the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct, featured in the classic spy-thriller “The 39 Steps”.

Look out for red and black grouse, merlin, hen harrier and the world’s fastest bird – the peregrine falcon.

Find out more about visiting Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR.

Flanders Moss, Stirling – easy 30-minute walk from reserve car park.

Hardly changed for thousands of years, Flanders Moss is one of Britain’s largest intact raised bogs covering three square miles.

This easy half-mile walk starts and ends at the reserve carpark. Follow the boardwalk to enjoy the remote, water-logged landscape up close – see how multi-coloured sphagnum moss forms a living carpet. Make sure to stop and climb the viewing tower for a bird’s eye view of the entire bog and snow-capped mountains beyond.

Relax and appreciate the wilderness experience. Take time to enjoy the ever-changing patchwork of colours and the sounds of bog life. Listen for wintering geese flying over at dusk to roost at Lake of Menteith and look out for hen harriers and other birds of prey.

Don’t step off the boardwalk – the bog can be deep! Find out more about visiting Flanders Moss NNR.

Loch Leven, Perth & Kinross – 21km route accessible from various points.

With more freshwater breeding ducks than anywhere else in inland Europe, and links to Mary Queen of Scots, Loch Leven combines history and nature beautifully.

Join the all-abilities Heritage Trail at any of the car parks or entry points along the way. For those seeking a challenge you can walk, run or wheel around the full 21 kms/13 miles or you can do a shorter section.

Pass the lush parklands of Kinross House, get your binoculars out at one of the bird hides and marvel at the changing landscape of forest, farmland and sandy beaches. Winter wildlife is abundant here, with the loch being an important stopover for thousands of migrating pink-footed geese, tufted ducks and whooper swans.

Look out for Lochleven Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567 and forced to abdicate before making her dramatic escape almost a year later.

Reward yourself with some well-deserved coffee and cake in Kinross or Milnathort. Find out more about visiting Loch Leven NNR.

Taynish, Argyll – two-hour circular route from reserve car park.

An amazing landscape teeming with wildlife awaits at Taynish. You can indulge in a spot of ‘forest bathing’ here, in some of Scotland’s most ancient rainforest.

This beautiful, varied walk, with grassland, native oak woodland, and shoreline sections, is a loop but can be extended in two places with optional paths out to the shore. One add-on is very short, an extra five minutes each way, with the other being an extra hour, but it’s worth doing to reach the Linne Mhuirich rapids – a great place for otter spotting.

The path takes you past an old mill but save your energy for a midway climb where you’ll be rewarded with fabulous views of Loch Sween.

Immerse yourself in tranquility, where the trees and forest floor are covered in soft mosses and lichens.

A pub, café and toilets can be found at nearby Tayvallich village. Find out more about visiting Taynish NNR.

Tentsmuir, Fife – two-hour circular route from Kinshaldy car park.

Tentsmuir has it all – from windswept beaches and shifting sands to peaceful lochs and woodland. This is a wonderful place to make space for nature, offering a truly immersive sensory experience.

Park at Kinshaldy car park (£2) and head onto the path where you can breathe in the fresh forest smell as you stroll through the pine trees. Look up - you may spot red squirrels in the branches above. Make for the 19th-century icehouse and the information pavilion, then down onto the stunning beach. If you're brave, kick off your shoes and have a refreshing paddle! You may spot snow bunting, as well as thousands of pink-footed geese. Grey and harbour seals could also be resting on the sandbanks.

On your way back, weave through the forest trails or walk along the beach. Listen to the crashing waves and look out for the World War II bunkers. 

Remember to check the tide times before you go. Find out more about visiting Tentsmuir NNR.

NatureScot is encouraging everyone to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, with Susan adding: “Whatever winter walk you decide to head out on, remember to leave no trace of your visit, respect any signs you see on the reserves, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. If you're taking your dog, keep it in sight and under control to avoid scaring other animals and people and if in doubt, use a lead.”