Walks in North Scotland

Some of Scotland’s Great Trails can be found in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and Speyside. These are waymarked routes which you can complete over several days or simply walk along the sections of your choice.

The Scottish Highlands and north east of Scotland are perfect for walking holidays and many of our B&Bs are part of the Walkers Welcome scheme by VisitScotland and they can offer places to dry your kit if you get caught out in the rain.

Long distance walking paths in the North of Scotland

• The Great Glen Way from Fort William across country from west to east along some of the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness to Inverness (79 miles). 
  B&Bs nearby include Binnilidh Mhor B&B in Glenmoriston, Ardmeanach House in Inverness and Inverness House, Spean Lodge in Spean Bridge

Caledonian Canal at Inverness near Inverness House

• Loch Ness 360 - This is a new circular trail around Scotland's most famous loch which you can start from Inverness or Fort Augustus (81 miles). 
  B&Bs nearby include Binnilidh Mhor B&B in Glenmoriston, Ardmeanach House in Inverness and Inverness House
• The Affric Kintail Way - a trail for walkers and mountain bikers from Drumnadrochit (Loch Ness) to Morvich in Kintail by Loch Duich (44 miles).

Autumn in Glen Affric near Home Farm B&B     
Photo by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

• The East Highland Way - this walking route stretches between Fort William and Aviemore (82 miles).     
  B&Bs nearby include The Viewmount in Kingussie
• The North Highland Way - this long-distance route goes from Duncansby Head in Caithness (the far north east) to Cape Wrath in the north west via Thurso, Tongue and Durness (150 miles).
• The West Highland Way - Scotland's most famous walking trail from Milngavie (near Glasgow) to Fort William (96 miles).
• The Cape Wrath Trail - this long-distance route through the wilderness of the Highlands goes from Fort William to Cape Wrath (almost 200 miles).
• The Northern Pilgrims’ Way offers several routes between Tain and St. Magnus Cathedral in Orkney. while The Northern Saints Trails offer 6 circular routes in Caithness so you can explore historical sites associated with early Celtic saints.
• The John o’ Groats Trail - runs mainly along the coast from Inverness to John o' Groats (147 miles). 
  B&Bs nearby in Caithness include Burnside Cottage B&B and Auld Post Office B&B

Summer in the Cairngorms - photo by North East 250 / Damian Shields

• The Speyside Way - this trail goes from the coast at Buckie inland to Kincraig near Aviemore with the option to include 2 offshoots to Dufftown and Tomintoul. 
  B&Bs nearby include Brandon Lodge B&B near Portsoy

There are lots of other walks of varying degrees of difficulty throughout the north of Scotland. In one of our blogs, you can see the walk to the Fyrish Monument which is just off the North Coast 500 driving route. It offers spectacular views over the Cromarty Firth to one side and Ben Wyvis to the other.  
B&Bs nearby include White Rose Tower, near Invergordon and Home Farm B&B in Muir of Ord.

Walking Festivals and Events

For those who are very active, there are lots of hill races, charity events, marathons and ultra marathons up and down the country throughout the year including popular events like the Great Wilderness Challenge (August) which has 7, 13 and 25 mile routes in scenic Wester Ross, and the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running in Inverness (29 September 2024). 
There are also some walking festivals in the north of Scotland including:

Ballater Walking Festival 
18 - 24 May 2024 
Exploring the natural beauty of Aberdeenshire with a programme of walks, plus evening entertainment.

Inverness Festival of Walking and Wheeling 
18 - 26 May 2024 
Lots of walks and cycling activities in Inverness and surrounding area.

Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival 
14 - 24 June 2024 
A midsummer walking festival from the foothills of the Cairngorms to the award-winning coastline of Moray.

Whatever walks you wish to enjoy, it's very important to be well prepared for any type of weather you may encounter and be able to navigate with a map and compass. Please remember to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect the environment you are visiting. Please be responsible as you travel through the landscape and local communities. 
#RespectProtectEnjoy #LeaveNoTrace

Photo credit: top of page - West Highland Way (Glencoe) by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Walks in Scotland: 
Walks in Central Scotland - Walks in South Scotland