Best Hikes In Scotland

The Quiraing Viewpoint hike is full of history and incredible vistas. Found on the Isle Of Skye, one of Scotlands most iconic islands, it passes through some of the most stunning landscapes Scotland has to offer.

It starts at a car park, like most Scottish hikes, and takes you through a huge landslip called the Trotternish ridge. You’ll walk past high cliffs, hidden plateaus, valleys, and pinnacles to give you some of the best views Scotland has to offer.

Make sure to bring your camera and pick a clear day. You’ll be able to see the ocean, neighboring islands, and the mainlands highlands.

The Hike

The hike starts by taking you past the ‘Prison’. A bit of a daunting label, the ‘Prison’ gets its name from the high cliff faces on one side and a large rock structure on the other, which is known to look like the walls of an ancient fortress.

As you continue past the prison you’ll notice huge rock columns, the biggest of which is known as the needle. Next up you’ll walk through beautiful valleys with interesting rock structures in the distances leading to ascending along a very sheer cliff face, its quite exciting but be careful.

The views from the cliff seem neverending and this is where you’ll see the village of Staffin below, the Islands of Raasay and Rona, and in the distance, the hills of Torridon on the Mainland.

A few more steps and you reach the summit of 875 feet. From here you’ll see the ‘Table’, a grassy plateau surrounded by rocks and cliffs. It’s rumored the ‘Table’ was used by locals to hide cattle from invaders as it’s hidden from sight from below. From here it’s a quick descent, still full of views and back to the start.

Weather and Difficulty

This hike is medium in length but hard in difficulty. There are times when you’ll have to scramble up gravel and do some serious hiking.

Make sure to pick a clear day for the views and you must also be cautious about the wind. The cliff faces are steep and gusty winds will make it quite dangerous.

The Fairy Pools hike sounds like something out of Shakespeares’ Mid Summer Nights Dream. A mystic world hidden behind some Scottish Monroes. It’s not quite that magical but the hike is nothing short of stunning. You’ll follow a river and discover pool after pool of crystal clear water with the backdrop of waterfalls.

If you love wild swimming then bring your shorts or a wetsuit as the water is never warm. You’ll be able to jump off waterfalls, swim through arches, and swim in the incredibly crystal blue waters.

This hike is also on the Isle Of Skye, near Carbost on the western side of the island. You’ll start at a car park, of course, the Forestry Commission carpark signposted ‘Glumagan Na Sithichean’ and in smaller writing, it says Fairy Pools.

The Hike

From the starting point, there are delicious views of the Black Cuillins hills, which are the source of the river you’re going to follow, the River Brittle. The hike follows a path that leads to and along the river.

There are a few river crossings involving large stepping stones and as you meander down the path you’ll start to see a huge boulder that was left there when the ice melted after the last ice age.

After about 30 minutes you’ll reach the first pool with a stunning waterfall behind it. From here you can work your way up the river to get a peek of all the pools. The second pool you come to is the most famous. Crystal clear, blue, with a natural arch for swimming though, it looks like something out of a fairytale. If you’re going swimming, this pool is an ideal choice.

As you continue on there are many more pools to see. Take a picnic and lots of photos, it’s a great space to spend time in.

Once you’re done, simply follow the path back down to your car.

Weather And Difficulty

This hike is medium in difficulty due to the river crossings but it is easy in length. You can go in all weather but if it’s been raining a lot, the river crossing can become very challenging.

Found between Portree to Staffin on the Isle Of Skye, the Old Man of Storr is part of the Trotternish ridge. It’s one of the most famous hikes on the isle and it does get quite busy. The Old Man of Stour is a huge rock pinnacle that can be seen from miles away. It’s part of an ancient landslide that created some of the photographed landscapes in the world.

This hike uses the same path up and down, and you’ll be able to get close to the rock structures and see amazing views of the sea, island and the mainland.

The Hike

Starting at the carpark, found on the road between Portree to Staffin, you can see the high cliffs with the Old Man peeking out. You’ll see a wooden gate at the end of the car park and this is where the path begins.

The gravel path takes you around the hillside and through the remains of a commercial forest that is now being replanted. Once you’re clear of the forest remains you’ll see a small pond that was used as an emergency water source for forest fires.

The path up the grassy hill is obvious and well worn and becomes rockier as it gets higher. You’ll find it quite tough and it’s a good idea to take breaks and stare at all the interesting structures and cliffs ahead.

While ascending, you’ll notice the Old Man on the right, plus a lot of other rock formations. Keep going and soon you’ll reach the foot of the Old Man of Stour.

The foot is super steep and is not suitable for all. Continue carefully if you decide to go up and you’ll find incredible views of the sea, the mainland, the islands for Rona and Raasay. And to the south, the ‘Storr Lochs’ plus Portree and Cuillin Hills.  You can also explore the other rock features around.

Weather And Difficulty

You can do this hike in any weather conditions and it’s worth noting the top part can get very muddy on a wet day. It’s an easy walk for most but it does have some very steep moments.