Find family friendly walks near you. These are all walks which children will enjoy – they are shorter and normally have a point of interest along them such as a play park or nature trail.
Take yourself back to a time when coal mining was the main industry in this part of East Ayrshire with a visit to the Barony A Frame. The walk down into the Dumfries House Estate is only 1.5 miles away and gives you the opportunity to enjoy open views across the grassy farmland towards the neighbouring villages. … More Walk 228 – Barony A Frame to Dumfries House Estate – 3 miles
Easter is the perfect time for some family adventures in the great outdoors. Winter has given way to Springtime with longer days, daffodils and crocuses, newborn lambs and rising temperatures. Not to mention a lot of chocolate to work off! Here are my top picks to give you some inspiration for over the holidays…. … More 10 Family Walks For Easter
Get up close to Craufurdland Castle on this delightful short circular walk through the Estate’s woodland and forest plantations. … More Walk 225 – Castle View Trail, Craufurdland Estate, Kilmarnock – 1.4 miles
An easy, short circular walk at Irvine Beach, located less than an hour from Glasgow. The route takes advantage of the sheltered trails behind the sand dunes, which you might find lined with summer roses or purple heather depending on the season. I recommend paying a visit to the dragon viewpoint along the way for a stunning panorama of the Ayrshire coastline and Isle of Arran! Return via the golden sands of Irvine Beach, popular with horse riders. Go at dawn or dusk to enjoy a spectacular sunset and hundreds of rabbits in the Beach Park! … More Walk 223 – Irvine Dunes Circular – 2.7 miles
Reelig Glen is located close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It is home to some of the tallest trees in Britain and as you walk through this mossy woodland beside the Moniack Burn, you can’t help but feel small compared to the massive fir and spruce trees towering above you. Information boards dotted along the trail offer ID opportunities and some fun facts. … More Walk 219 – Tall Trees Walk, Reelig Glen – 1 mile
A beautiful short walk in the quiet Dunlop countryside. Starting with the Commoncraig Wood’s bubbling burn and bench with a view, a short hop over a stile takes you along the road to the impressive Dunlop House. The route returns to the village via the recently upgraded Wee Glen. … More Walk 218 – Commoncraig & The Wee Glen, Dunlop – 2.9 miles
One of Scotland’s most famous waterfalls, Grey Mare’s Tail is located near the town of Moffat, within a nature reserve managed by the National Trust for Scotland. It is one of the UK’s tallest falls, cascading 60m down into the glen below. This walk takes you from the car park uphill to the source of the waterfall – the very peaceful and remote Loch Skeen. … More Walk 216 – Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall, Moffat – 2.8 miles
This route combines the Waterfalls Trail and Lochan Trail within Aros Park. You will pass both the Upper and Lower Falls on Aros Burn then walk around the east side of peaceful Lochan Gharrabain. The Waterfalls Trail involves uneven and sometimes boggy woodland trails and has some steep hills and steps. The path around the lochan is flat and wider/gravel. Good way-marking throughout Aros Park. … More Walk 215 – Aros Park Waterfalls & Lochan Trail, Isle of Mull – 1.9 miles
An extended version of the popular 3.7 mile Falls of Clyde walk. Starting in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of New Lanark, follow the Clyde Walkway through a scenic nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The highlight of the walk is the spectacular waterfalls along the river gorge, including the well-photographed Corra Linn: the largest in Britain by volume of water. The return route takes you along peaceful woodland trails down the west bank of the River Clyde and into Kirkfieldbank, then through Castlebank Park. … More Walk 210 – The Falls of Clyde Circular Walk, New Lanark – 7 miles
This walk takes you around the perimeter of Glenafton Reservoir just outside New Cumnock. On a still day the water creates stunning reflections of the surrounding hills and forests so remember to take your camera! … More Walk 207 – Afton Dam Circular – 5 miles
Bargany Gardens are location approximately 4.5 miles inland from Girvan. The owners of this private estate open the gardens up to the public each May which is the perfect time of year to witness them in full springtime glory. The gardens comprise 50 acres of mature woodland, known for its colourful rhododendrons and huge fir trees. Within the gardens you will also find a picture-perfect boating pond, a walled garden with cherry tree orchard, a rock garden, various pagodas and a hidden formal lawn. … More Walk 204 – Bargany Gardens, near Girvan
There are 11 cairns to discover within the Balmoral Estate. The cairns were commissioned by Queen Victoria to commemorate the marriages of her children and the largest was erected in memory of her husband Price Albert following his death. This short walk takes in two of the cairns – Princess Beatrice’s Cairn and Prince Albert’s Cairn (aka “the pyramid”!) A beautiful forestry trail awaits, and after a fairly steady walk uphill you will reach the summit of Creag an Lurachain (442 m /1450 ft) where the pyramid sits. A steeper but shorter descent follows, and a very lovely suspension bridge crossing. Optional de-tour to Crathie Kirk – regular place of worship of the British Royal Family. … More Walk 200 – Prince Albert’s Pyramid, Balmoral – 4 miles
The Blue Bonnet Trails are made up of the 3 mile Tam’s Trail and the 1.5 mile Alloway Trail. They follow the journey taken from Ayr Town Centre to Alloway by Tam o’ Shanter as recounted in one of the most famous poems ever written by Rabbie Burns. As you walk the trails look out for the blue bonnet way markers. The route described in the post below is 7.5 miles in total and takes in both trails with the addition of a loop back into Ayr via the beautiful promenade. … More Walk 199 – Blue Bonnet Trails, Ayr & Alloway
A circular route to the 18th century arches of the Fyrish Monument. After a short distance my route leaves the busy Jubilee Path to make a gradual ascent up the shoulder of Cnoc Fyrish. From here you can enjoy spectacular views south across the Cromarty Firth to the oil riggs at Nigg and over to the mountains of the Northwest Highlands. The monument itself is a true work of art and forms a significant part of local history. It can be seen from miles around but nothing can prepare you for the scale of it once you are up close! My return route takes you through an area of mature forestry teeming with wildlife. … More Walk 195 – Fyrish Monument, Ross-shire – 4.4 miles
Discover the many trails of the beautiful Brockle Wood with its pretty burn that leads you to the mighty River Ayr. This short circular route has a lot to offer and is especially recommended in Autumn! … More Walk 192 – Brockle Wood from Annbank – 1.6 miles
Gillian's Walks 