18 Let’s blaze a trail LOTS TO SEA Take in the Dunbar coastline on The John Muir Way ParK life Loch Lomond & Trossachs PARK UP FOR TOP AWARD One of Scotland’s two national parks, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, has been shortlisted for National Park of the Year 2017. It is one of five finalists chosen by experts for BBC’s Countryfile Magazine and was chosen by Countryfile host John Craven. Gordon Watson, chief executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, said: “We are honoured to be shortlisted.” The winners will be decided by public vote. Voting is open until February 28, 2017 at www. countryfile.com/awards The John Muir Way has been officially recognised as one of MOUNTAIN Scotland’s Great Trails. The 134-mile route, which HIGHLIGHTS crosses Scotland from coast The Fort William Mountain Festival to coast, joins a stable of 27 is back for the ninth year this week. other celebrated Great Trails, World-class athletes, speakers including the West Highland and films will be showcased from FIONA Way. It is the 28th long-distance February 15 to 19. It kicks off with route to be given the accolade a torchlight procession. RUSSELL by Scottish Natural Heritage. There are two studio nights, a Since its launch in April 2014, HIGHligHt Falkirk Wheel series of workshops, fringe events the route has become the focus and an Art Fest. The festival is connects With spring just for many thousands of walkers also has a film competition that Forth and showcases mountain culture. around the corner, and cyclists. It starts in Dunbar, Clyde Canal The festival takes place at East Lothian – celebrated as with Union various locations across Fort it’s the perfect Muir’s birthplace – and extends Canal William and Nevis Range. across the country to n www.mountainfestival.co.uk time to start Helensburgh in the west. It takes in castles, historic Tay, it boasts beautiful sea starting at any of the Border planning a trip towns and villages, coastal views, stunning beaches and towns of Kelso, Jedburgh, along one of scenery and Scotland’s first many pretty fishing villages. Hawick, Selkirk or Melrose. GEAR OF national park, Loch Lomond See www.fifecoastalpath.co.uk See bordersabbeysway.com Scotland’s Great and The Trossachs. nSource to Sea routes nMountains and lochs THE WEEK The route also passes some Follow some of Scotland’s big There are plenty of trails to Mountain Hardwear Trails to immerse great attractions, such as the rivers to the coast, including choose from, such as the Kintyre StretchDown Hooded Jacket yourself in stunning famous bridges across the Firth the Annandale Way, the Clyde Way, the West Island Way Mountain Hardwear’s new hooded of Forth and the iconic Falkirk Walkway, the Speyside Way and, and the West Highland Way. jacket includes a stretch-welded scenery and Wheel. The John Muir Way takes my pick, the River Ayr Way. One of my favourites is the Great channel construction to offer an average of 12 days to walk, Trace the river for 40 miles Glen Way, which runs from Fort excellent insulation. wildlife and keep while some people cycle it in from its source at Glenbuck William to Inverness along the The construction of the jacket a few days. Great Glen Faultline. The route allows it to trap more warmth, fit in the process to the sea in the town of Ayr. It while the light stretch-knit fabric n See johnmuirway.org offers a variety of landscapes, is 73 miles and closely follows offers good comfort levels. It also The best of Scotland’s including moorland, woodland, the line of the Caledonian Canal. has water-resistant Great Trails rocky gorges, farmland and an See www.greatglenway.org Q.Shield Down 750-fill Here’s a selection of walking area rich in industrial history. nThe originals , so the wearer will trails in Scotland, including See www.walkhighlands.co. There have been long distance still be warm even my top picks. uk/glasgow/river-ayr-way.shtml walks mapped out for decades if it’s wet.It weighs n Coastal Trails nFootsteps through history and if there’s one route that is 438g to 540g a must-do in Scotland, it’s the and is aimed at If you love stunning seascapes, Take a journey back in time general winter sand dunes, seabirds and on Scottish historical trails West Highland Way. wear, hiking salty sea air, you will enjoy including the Cateran Trail, Rob Extending 96 miles from and skiing. the Ayrshire Coastal Path, Roy Way and St Cuthbert’s Way. Milngavie to Fort William, it See www. Berwickshire Coastal Path, the It’s hard to choose one but the passes through a huge variety mountain Kintyre Way, Moray Coast Trail, Borders Abbeys Way is a superb of landscapes and offers walkers hardwear. the West Island Way and, my route of 64.5 miles and divided a chance to experience the com and pick, the Fife Coastal Path. into five sections of roughly lowlands and highlands of look online Scotland. See www.west- for sales. Stretching for 117 miles from equal distances. It can be walked Priced Advice the Firth of Forth to the Firth of clockwise or anti-clockwise highland-way.co.uk around £200. and Join me on my adventures in Scotland’s great outdoors by checking out my award-winning ideas website at www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk. You’ll find lots of great information about walking, cycling, running and other outdoor activities, as well as kit reviews..