Walking

The holiday properties are in an area that is a microcosm of all that Scotland has to offer for walkers. The Kingdom of Fife, Perthshire, Angus and Dundee have rolling hills, ancient forests, beautiful lochs and glens, high mountains, the open views of estuary walks, and the pleasure of coastal paths through old fishing villages and along magnificent sandy beaches.

You can step out of your holiday property, and immediately experience walking country. A river walk along the Tay, with its rustling head-high rushes and the reed islands mid-river, takes you into Newburgh, or go eastward  to William Wallace’s Bridge, of the ruins of Ballinbreich Castle.

Your holiday properties also look South to the Ochils and, in few minutes, you can be climbing Ormiston Hill with its ancient cairns, or the closer Lindores Hill, with the shape of a huge bear’s ploughed outline  in the field near the summit. These fine walks have magnificent views across the Tay estuary to the Sidlaw Hills. and west to Perthshire and the Trossachs.

The holiday properties are within easy distance of tranquil forest walks. Pitmidden Forrest lies in the hills above nearby Abernethy. Tentsmuir Forest, less than twenty minutes away by car, has way-marked walks, picnic areas, and access to the magnificent Tentsmuir Point which is one of Scotland’s Nature Reserves. It is home to 2000 common and grey seals, to sea ducks, waders, wildfowl and many species of butterfly. All can be seen through beach and dune walks.

From your holiday home you can venture out for day walks, along Fife’s magnificent coastal path situated on its southern and eastern shores. You get a taste of life in old fishing villages, ancient burghs and experience the stunning sandy beaches that characterise the stretches of sea a long the East Neuk.

Your properties are also a base for those who love to walk in the heritage of Scottish ancient woodlands. Perthshire has ancient forests with beautiful way-marked routes. The Fortingall Yew, near Kenmore, is the oldest living thing in Europe at 3000 –  9000 years old. Plus there is even a remnant of Birnam Wood made famous by Shakespeare in Macbeth.

Your holiday home is also a wonderful base for the walker keen to try more challenging routes. Within easy reach are the Ochil Hills, and the Lomond Hills. (See 33 routes in Patrick Baker, The Ochils, Campsie and Lomond Hills, A Cicerone Guide, 2006). For those wishing to venture further the higher mountains around Glenshee and the Trossachs are within driving distance. You can quickly experience the remote tranquillity of the stunning Scottish landscape with its unspoilt natural features, whichever way you travel from your holiday property.

There are also local annual festivals for walkers:

Angus Glens Walking Festival
29th May –1st June;
www.angusanddundee.co.uk/walkingfestival

Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Walking Festival
3rd – 9th October
www.walkingfestival.org

The Enchanted Forest
17th October – 2nd November
www.enchantedforest.org.uk

Dundee Mountain Film Festival
26th –29th November
www.mountainfilm.org.uk