Best places to run in Scotland

• Abbey Craig

  viewpoint

  A wooded volcanic crag crowned by the National Wallace Monument, with a short sharp climb through trees to a panoramic viewpoint over the winding Forth.

• Aberdeen Beach Esplanade

  promenade

  A flat 3.7km seafront promenade running from the harbour at Footdee to the Donmouth nature reserve, a classic fast, scenic city run that hosts a Saturday parkrun.

• Aberdeenshire Coastal Path

  trail

  Marked coastal trail running south from Girdle Ness past Greg Ness towards Cove Bay along rugged cliffs and beaches.

• Aberlady Bay

  nature reserve

  Britain's first local nature reserve, a flat wildlife-rich walk over salt marsh and dunes past a wooden footbridge, with WWII midget submarine wrecks visible at low tide.

• Aden Country Park

  country_park

  230 acres of woodland, parkland and lake-side paths around a Victorian arboretum, great for easy traffic-free running.

• Afton Reservoir

  loch

  A remote hill reservoir at the head of Glen Afton with a peaceful perimeter walk that mirrors the surrounding hills on calm days.

• Aird Meadow

  nature reserve

  A 1.5km woodland-and-boardwalk loop inside RSPB Lochwinnoch finishing at the Peel Tower with views over Castle Semple and Aird Meadow lochs.

• Airlie Monument

  viewpoint

  A hilltop memorial tower on Tulloch Hill between Glen Clova and Glen Prosen, reached by a short steep climb for 360-degree glen views.

• Airthrey Loch

  park

  2.5km flat path circling the campus loch with swans and wildlife, a favourite easy jogging and walking loop on the university grounds.

• Alexandra Park

  park

  Large Victorian park with a boating pond, fitness gym and a 2.3km circular trail, its high point giving views to Ben Lomond.

• Allenvale Cemetery

  cemetery

  Large historic cemetery with mature trees overlooking the River Dee beside Duthie Park, quiet for reflective walks.

• Allermuir Hill

  hill

  A 493m summit on the city edge of the Pentlands, a popular short-but-stiff climb often combined with Caerketton.

• Alloa Tower

  landmark

  One of Scotland's largest surviving keeps, an Erskine stronghold in the heart of Alloa and a natural start point for town and Tower Trail walks.

• Almond Aqueduct

  bridge

  A grand stone Union Canal aqueduct standing some 35m above the River Almond, a striking turning point on circular towpath routes.

• Almondell and Calderwood Country Park

  country_park

  Over 220 acres of woodland with a popular waterside trail running along the River Almond, a favourite among local runners.

• Alva Glen

  glen

  A spectacular rocky gorge with five waterfalls including the towering Craighorn Fall, plus a steep airy path past the Smugglers Cave to the dam above.

• An Lochan Uaine

  loch

  The vivid green 'Green Lochan' sits on the old drovers' track through the wild Ryvoan Pass, a striking and atmospheric waypoint on forest and glen runs.

• Andrew Gannel Hill

  hill

  A high 670m Ochil top on the ridge between Ben Cleuch and Tarmangie, a fine link on long horseshoe runs over open moorland.

• Annandale Way

  trail

  A long-distance riverside route following the River Annan, with a popular loop from Moffat up to the Devil's Beef Tub.

• Antonine Wall

  trail

  A UNESCO World Heritage Roman frontier whose grassy rampart and ditch can be walked across the district, with the best-preserved 8km section at Watling Lodge set in oak woodland.

• Ardneil Bay

  beach

  A quiet pebble-and-sand bay below the sandstone cliffs of Ardneil Hill, walked on the coast path linking Seamill and Portencross with fine sea views.

• Aros Park

  park

  A lochside woodland park reached on foot from Tobermory along a coastal path, with three waterfalls on the Aros Burn and a peaceful lochan circuit.

• Arthur's Seat

  hill

  Edinburgh's iconic 251m extinct volcano with steep grassy and rocky paths to a summit giving 360-degree views over the whole city and the Firth of Forth.

• Auchinstarry Quarry

  viewpoint

  A disused whinstone quarry flooded into a small loch beside the canal, with a tall rock face popular with climbers and a path to its top.

• Auchmithie

  coastal path

  A clifftop fishing hamlet at the far end of the Arbroath Cliff Trail, making a fine three-mile coastal walk turnaround point.

• Auchterhouse Hill

  hill

  The second-highest Sidlaw summit, usually reached from Balkello Community Woodland via muddy narrow paths and stiles, offering big open hilltop views.

• Auldhouse Park

  park

  A local park bounded by the Auldhouse Burn and White Cart Water with riverside paths where otters, goosanders and kingfishers are sometimes seen.

• Avon Aqueduct

  bridge

  Scotland's tallest and longest aqueduct, carrying the Union Canal 26 metres above the River Avon, with a picturesque boardwalk-and-stair climb from the riverbank to the towpath crossing.

• Ayr Gorge Woodlands

  nature reserve

  A steep sandstone-cliff ravine cloaked in ancient woodland with river footpaths, one of the most atmospheric stretches of the River Ayr Way.

• Ayrshire Coastal Path

  trail

  A waymarked coastal route running past sandy beaches, promenades and a cycleway with mostly flat, easy walking and views to the mountains of Arran.

• Backwater Reservoir

  loch

  A large peaceful reservoir in Glen Isla circled by forest and hill paths, with optional climbs over Hare Cairn and Creigh Hill.

• Balgay Cemetery

  cemetery

  The 1870 hillside cemetery on the flank of Balgay Hill, with terraced tree-lined paths that connect on foot into Balgay Park's woodland.

• Balgay Hill

  hill

  A wooded 146m hill crowned by the Mills Observatory, with a network of footpaths, a Planet Trail and a Victorian cast-iron footbridge linking it to neighbouring Victoria Park.

• Balgay Park

  park

  One of Dundee's oldest parks (1871) with a network of shaded woodland footpaths winding up Balgay Hill past the Mills Observatory.

• Balgownie Wood

  wood

  Reclaimed coal-mining land now a wooded wetland area on the West Fife Way, with good tracks and only minor climbs for off-road running.

• Balgray Reservoir

  loch

  A large open reservoir in Dams to Darnley with a scenic accessible shoreline path, popular for waterfowl and big-sky views toward the Campsies.

• Balkello Community Woodland

  wood

  A community woodland at the foot of the Sidlaws with a car park and waymarked trails, the usual starting point for the Auchterhouse and Craigowl hill circuits.

• Ballageich Hill

  hill

  A 333m moorland summit south of Eaglesham, a quiet rugged climb across rough open ground with wide views over the Eaglesham moors.

• Ballast Bank

  viewpoint

  A man-made grassy ridge built from ships' ballast in 1840, with a footpath up to breezy views over Troon, Arran and Ailsa Craig.

• Balloch Castle Country Park

  country_park

  The only country park within the Loch Lomond National Park, with mostly flat shoreline and woodland paths past a baronial castle on the loch's southern tip.

• Ballochmyle Viaduct

  bridge

  Britain's tallest railway viaduct at 52m, soaring over the River Ayr and reached by a woodland footpath on the River Ayr Way near Catrine.

• Balmedie Beach

  beach

  A vast unspoilt sweep of sand and high dunes, perfect for long, flat beach runs north of Aberdeen.

• Banna Minn

  beach

  A white-sand tombolo beach in a horseshoe bay linking out to the wild Kettla Ness peninsula, with shallow clear water and enjoyable clifftop walking beyond.

• Bar Hill Fort

  landmark

  The highest of the Antonine Wall's Roman forts, reached by a steep climb on a footpath from Twechar to a hilltop with stunning Kelvin Valley views.

• Barassie Beach

  beach

  A wide golden-sand beach just north of Troon harbour, a popular flat shoreline stretch with views to the Isle of Arran.

• Bardowie Loch

  loch

  A pretty sailing loch with the 16th-century Bardowie Castle on its north shore, offering short flat walks just north of Glasgow.

• Barnhill Rock Garden

  garden

  An award-winning two-hectare alpine and waterside rock garden on the old volcanic shoreline of the esplanade, with fine views across the Tay.

• Baron's Haugh

  nature reserve

  An RSPB wetland reserve on the old Dalzell Estate beside the River Clyde, with flat birdwatching paths and abundant waterfowl.

• Barony A Frame

  landmark

  The last surviving colliery A-frame headgear in Britain, a striking preserved industrial monument set in open countryside west of Auchinleck.

• Barr Castle

  castle

  A 15th-century tower house in the centre of Galston, a handy landmark start point for the Burn Anne and Irvine Valley walks.

• Barr Loch

  loch

  A shallow reed-fringed loch beside Lochwinnoch, skirted by flat paths and the old railway line with open water views across to the hills.

• Barrowfield Park

  park

  Modern artist-designed greenspace created for the Commonwealth Games legacy, a small green pocket with pathways for short loops.

• Barshaw Park

  park

  A large, flat municipal park in Paisley with looping paths, a boating pond and gardens, a popular easy circuit for runners and walkers.

• Bass Rock

  landmark

  A towering volcanic island offshore home to the world's largest northern gannet colony, the dramatic focal point of every coastal walk east of North Berwick.

• Battery Park

  park

  A scenic waterfront park on the Clyde shore, a popular flat starting point linking the Esplanade towards Gourock.

• Battle of Bannockburn

  park

  Open memorial parkland around the Borestone rotunda and Bruce statue with free flat paths, a historic greenspace for easy walks south of the city.

• Bawsinch and Duddingston Nature Reserve

  nature_reserve

  A Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve of ponds and woodland beside Duddingston Loch with quiet trails for a gentle nature walk.

• Baxter Park

  park

  A 38-acre Victorian formal park designed by Joseph Paxton, with broad walking paths, a grand pavilion and open lawns for easy city-side laps.

• Bay of Skaill

  beach

  A wide Atlantic-facing sandy bay beside Skara Brae, a gentle stroll with clear waters and the start of clifftop coastal walks.

• Bearsden Bath House

  landmark

  The best-preserved Roman bath-house ruins on the Antonine Wall, tucked into Bearsden and an easy, history-rich stop on a town walk.

• Beecraigs Country Park

  country_park

  Over 900 acres of upland forest with miles of woodland trails, a loch circuit and red deer and Highland cattle to pass on the way.

• Beecraigs Loch

  loch

  A gentle flat circular path around a tranquil reservoir tucked in the Bathgate Hills, ideal for an easy scenic loop.

• Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve

  nature reserve

  Britain's first national nature reserve, home to a waymarked mountain trail through Caledonian pinewood up onto rugged quartzite slopes.

• Beinn Ime

  peak

  At 1011m the highest of the Arrochar Alps, a tough boggy and rocky climb often combined with The Cobbler and Beinn Narnain in a long horseshoe round.

• Beinn Lora

  hill

  A moderate forest-and-hill walk climbing to a fine viewpoint over Ardmucknish Bay, Lismore and the surrounding mountains and coastline.

• Beinn Mhòr

  peak

  The highest hill on the Cowal Peninsula at 741m, climbed via Glen Massan through farmland, forest and open moorland to sweeping views over Loch Eck.

• Beinn Narnain

  peak

  A craggy 926m Munro climbed from Arrochar with steep rocky steps and superb views over Loch Long and its neighbouring Arrochar Alps.

• Beinn Sciathan

  peak

  Eriskay's high point at 186m, a short steep grassy climb giving views across the Sound to South Uist, Barra and the island's beaches.

• Bell's Bridge

  bridge

  A pedestrian swing bridge over the Clyde linking the SEC with the Science Centre, a handy traffic-free river crossing for waterfront loops.

• Bellahouston Park

  park

  A 169-acre park built around Ibrox Hill with commanding city views, walled garden, dry ski slope and the Mackintosh House for an Art Lover, good for hill-rep running.

• Belleisle Park

  park

  A landscaped Ayr estate with mature gardens, ponds and easy parkland paths popular for a gentle loop.

• Ben A'an

  hill

  A compact 454m 'mini mountain' with a sharp rocky summit, reached by a steep upgraded path giving big views over Loch Katrine and Ben Venue.

• Ben Aigan

  hill

  A forested 471m hill above the River Spey whose bare summit cone rewards a steady climb with sweeping views over Speyside, Ben Rinnes and the Moray Firth.

• Ben Chonzie

  peak

  A grassy, relatively gentle Munro making an ideal first big hill, with broad open slopes and stunning panoramas from the summit.

• Ben Cleuch

  hill

  At 721m this is the highest summit in the Ochil Hills, a steep but rewarding climb with sweeping views over the Forth valley and north to the Highlands.

• Ben Cruachan

  peak

  At 1126m this is Argyll's highest Munro, a sustained ridge climb above the Cruachan reservoir and Loch Awe rewarded with vast Highland and island views.

• Ben Lawers

  peak

  The highest mountain in the southern Highlands at 1214m, a sustained steep climb above Loch Tay through a national nature reserve famous for rare alpine flora.

• Ben Ledi

  hill

  A demanding 879m Corbett north of Callander whose airy summit ridge rewards the long climb with views across the Highland Boundary Fault to Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorlich.

• Ben Lomond

  mountain

  Scotland's most southerly Munro at 974m, a strenuous but well-pathed climb from Rowardennan with sweeping views down the length of Loch Lomond.

• Ben More

  peak

  Mull's only Munro, a tough 966m climb from sea level at Loch na Keal that rewards runners and walkers with panoramic island and coast views.

• Ben Nevis

  peak

  Britain's highest mountain at 1,345m, a long and relentless climb up the Mountain Track that rewards hardy walkers with summit views over the western Highlands.

• Ben Rinnes

  hill

  Moray's highest free-standing hill (841m Corbett) with a steep but well-built path to a tor summit giving a 360-degree panorama over whisky country to the Moray coast.

• Ben Tirran

  peak

  A rounded Corbett-height hill above Glen Clova giving a high circuit linking Loch Brandy and Loch Wharral across open moorland.

• Ben Venue

  hill

  A rugged twin-topped 729m peak above Loch Katrine offering a tough hillwalk and a spectacular summit panorama across the heart of the Trossachs.

• Ben Vorlich

  peak

  A popular 985m Munro climbed from the south shore of Loch Earn, with a clear path up Glen Vorlich and sweeping views over the Lowlands from the summit.

• Ben Vrackie

  hill

  An 841m Corbett above Pitlochry with a sustained, steep climb past Loch a' Choire to a summit with panoramic views from the Cairngorms to Beinn a' Ghlo.

• Bennachie

  hill

  Aberdeenshire's iconic ridge of granite tors with a network of forest paths, beloved by local runners for its steep stone steps up to the Mither Tap.

• Bennane Head

  cliff

  A rocky Firth of Clyde headland on the coastal path, home to the legendary Sawney Bean's sea cave reachable along the rugged shore at low tide.

• Berwickshire Coastal Path

  trail

  A 30-mile clifftop coastal path past sandy coves, sea stacks and fishing villages, with some steep ascents and dramatic unprotected cliff edges.

• Bilston Glen Viaduct

  bridge

  An impressive iron-truss viaduct spanning the wooded Bilston Burn ravine, the only A-listed structure of its type in Scotland.

• Bin of Cullen

  hill

  A dome-shaped 320m hill rising through forestry to a bare moorland top with a trig point and wide aerial views over the Moray Firth coast from Cullen to Buckie.

• Bingham's Pond

  park

  Small West End nature pond by Great Western Road with a paved loop around the water, good for an easy short walk.

• Birks of Aberfeldy

  waterfall

  A scenic gorge circuit through birch woodland past the Falls of Moness, immortalised in a Robert Burns poem and great for a short looped run.

• Birnam Oak

  landmark

  An ancient oak beside a riverside path on the Tay, reputed sole survivor of the Birnam Wood of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

• Bishop Hill

  hill

  A broad escarpment hill on the western Lomonds with a steep pull to a plateau giving a fine view over Loch Leven.

• Bishop Loch

  nature reserve

  A quiet loch-side reserve of woodland and reedbed on the Seven Lochs Trail, peaceful walking with plenty of birdlife.

• Black Craig

  cliffs

  A rugged headland on the classic coastal walk out of Stromness via Point of Ness, climbing past sea stacks and coves with views over to Hoy.

• Black Loch

  loch

  An upland freshwater loch ringed by mixed woodland and heather moorland, with a surfaced bankside path on its southern side ideal for gentle walks and birdwatching.

• Black Spout

  waterfall

  An impressive 60-metre waterfall reached by a gentle woodland walk from Pitlochry to a viewing platform.

• Blackcraig Hill

  hill

  The highest of the wild hills ringing Glen Afton, the crux of a challenging high-level moorland circuit with over 600m of ascent.

• Blackford Hill

  hill

  A wilder-feeling little hill above the city with open grassy slopes, the Royal Observatory nearby, and views to the Pentlands.

• Blackness Castle

  castle

  A dramatic ship-shaped 15th-century fortress jutting into the Forth (an Outlander filming location), reached by a flat scenic foreshore walk from Bo'ness on the John Muir Way.

• Bo'ness Foreshore

  coast

  A flat shoreline path along the Firth of Forth with views to the Forth Bridges, an easy coastal run linking Bo'ness harbour toward Blackness on the John Muir Way.

• Bonaly Country Park

  park

  The gateway to the northern Pentlands from Colinton, with wooded tracks climbing past reservoirs onto open hills.

• Bonaly Reservoir

  loch

  A small reservoir reached by a wooded climb from Bonaly, linking into circuits past Torduff and through Maiden's Cleugh.

• Bonnington Linn

  waterfall

  A horseshoe of falls at the upstream end of the Falls of Clyde walk, a worthwhile extension along the wooded gorge beyond Corra Linn.

• Borders Abbeys Way

  trail

  A 107km waymarked circular trail linking the historic abbey towns of Melrose, Kelso, Jedburgh and Hawick along gentle riverside and pastoral paths.

• Borthwick Castle

  castle

  A towering 15th-century keep best seen on the Currie Wood walk along the Gore Water linking it to Crichton Castle.

• Botanic Gardens Arboretum

  park

  Quieter woodland extension of the Botanics across Ford Road along the River Kelvin, with riverside paths and points where you can reach the water.

• Bow Fiddle Rock

  landmark

  An iconic natural sea arch resembling a fiddle bow, reached on a short clifftop path from Portknockie that links into the dramatic coastal walk to Cullen.

• Bowling Harbour

  landmark

  The historic western basin of the Forth and Clyde Canal, with a wooden-sculpture park, old swing bridge and the start of the canal towpath.

• Bracklinn Falls

  waterfall

  A series of waterfalls on the Keltie Water reached by a wooded trail from Callander, a pretty short walk or trail-run loop crossing a dramatic gorge footbridge.

• Braid Hills

  hill

  One of Edinburgh's seven hills with open grassy tracks and a Seven Hills viewpoint indicator giving panoramas to the Pentlands and the sea.

• Braidburn Valley Park

  park

  A valley park following the Braid Burn near Comiston with an open-air theatre amphitheatre, a quiet local loop for walking and gentle running.

• Branklyn Garden

  garden

  Hillside garden on the Kinnoull slopes, a peaceful walkable spot linking the riverside to the woodland-park paths above.

• Bridge of Dee

  bridge

  Historic 400-year-old seven-arch granite bridge over the Dee, a landmark turnaround point on the Riverside Drive riverbank path.

• Brig o' Balgownie

  bridge

  A graceful single-arch 13th-century bridge over the River Don with cobbled approaches, a charming turnaround point on riverside runs from Seaton Park.

• Brig o' Doon

  bridge

  The historic humpbacked stone bridge of Burns's Tam o' Shanter, a scenic riverside landmark on the Alloway Burns Trail.

• Brimmond Hill

  hill

  At 266m the highest point in Aberdeen City, a short steep tarmac climb from Kingswells rewards runners with a 360-degree panorama over the city, coastline and North Sea.

• Broadwood Loch

  loch

  A man-made loch ringed by a flat, easy circular path of just under 2 miles through woodland and grassland, good for a quick loop.

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