Outdoor Activities
Contents |
Diving
Hillwalking & Climbing in Scotland | Cycling | Skiing | Surfing | Fishing | Golf | Wildlife Watching in Scotland | Outdoor Activities | Best Wildlife Watching Locations
There are thousands of dive sites around Scotland's shores, with a rich variety of marine life and plenty of wrecks to explore. The West Coast offers the best diving, as the water is warmed by the effects of the Gulf Stream and is not cold, even without a dry suit. Among the best sites are the west coast of Harris, the Summer Isles and the remote island of St Kilda. There are lots of wrecks in the Sound of Mull, and the chance to find a Spanish Galleon off Tobermory. Scapa Flow in Orkney is world-renowned as the burial site of the German World War I fleet. On the East Coast, there is a great marine reserve off St Abb's Head, near Eyemouth, with some spectacular rock formations.
Contact Scottish Sub Aqua Club, 40 Bogmoor Place, Glasgow, G51 47Q, Tel. 0141-4251021; or British Sub Aqua Club (Scottish Federation), 67 Moredun Park, Gilmerton, Edinburgh EH17, Tel. 0131-6644381. A recommended dive operator is Dive Scotland, Tel. 0131-4412001, in Edinburgh.
Surfing
Scotland has some of the best surfing beaches in Europe. But this is no Hawaii, with its sunbleached hair and bronzed bodies: surfing in Scotland is strictly for the hardy, with water temperatures rarely above 15°C and often as low as 7°C. A good wet suit is therefore essential. The waves, though, make up for the freezing waters and compare with those in Hawaii and Australia. The main season is September to December.
The best beaches on the West Coast are to be found at the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis and at Machrihanish, down near the Mull of Kintyre. On the North Coast the top spot is Thurso, especially at Dunnet Head to the east of town. Another recommended place is Strathy Bay, near Bettyhill, halfway between Thurso and Tongue. On the East Coast the best beaches are Pease Bay, south of Dunbar, near Cockburnspath on the A1, Nigg Bay, just south of Aberdeen, and Lunan Bay between Montrose and Arbroath.
There is a bi-monthly surf magazine, Surf, which is a good source of information. Also try the surf shops, which sell equipment and provide information on the best breaks. Glasgow: Clan, 45 Hyndland Street, Partick, Tel. 0141-3396523; Boardwise, 1146 Argyle Street, Tel. 0141-3345559. Edinburgh: Momentum, 22 Bruntsfield Place, Tel. 0131-2296665. Aberdeen: Granite Reef, 45 Justice Street, Tel. 01224-621193.
Pony trekking & horse riding
Pony Trekking is a long-established activity in Scotland and miles of beautiful coastline, lochsides, and moorland are accessible on horseback. There are numerous equestrian centres around the country catering to all levels of riders. The Scottish Tourist Board produces a Trekking & Riding brochure listing riding centres around the country, all of them approved by the Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland (TRSS) or the British Horse Society (BHS).
Centres offer pony trekking (leisurely strolls at walking pace for novices), hacks (short rides at a fast pace for experienced riders) and trail riding (long distance rides at no more than a canter). The Buccleuch Country Ride is a four-day route through the Borders, using private tracks, open country and quiet bridleways. For more information, contact the Scottish Borders Tourist Board, Tel. 01835-863170. For general information contact the TRSS, Horse Trials Office, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Tel. 01796-481543, or the BHS, British Equestrian Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwicks CV8 2LR, Tel. 01203-414288.
Paragliding
If you fancy getting high during your visit, you can try your hand at the exciting sport of paragliding. Courses and flights are offered by Parapente Ecosse in Edinburgh, Tel. 0700-0782589, Emailing Paragliding and Flying Fever, No 2 Coastguard House, Kildonan, Isle of Arran, Tel. 01770-820292, Flying Fever
Canoeing
Scotland's rivers, lochs and deeply indented coastline offer great opportunities for canoeing or kayaking. For information, contact the Scottish Canoe Association, Caledonia House, South Gyle, Edinburgh EH12 9DQ, Tel. 0131-3177314, Scottish Canoe Association They organize tours, including introductory ones for beginners. Also try Splash Rafting of Aberfeldy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Curling
Curling is nothing to do with hairdressing, but is in fact a winter game which involves sliding smooth circular granite stones across the ice as close to the centre of a target as possible, while your team-mates use brooms to sweep away the loose white flakes (a bit like hairdressing, in fact). It is still occasionally played on frozen ponds but more commonly played in indoor ice rinks.
The midge
The major problem facing visitors to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland during the summer months is Culicoides Impunctatus - or the midge, as it's more commonly known. These tiny flying creatures are savage and merciless in the extreme and hunt in huge packs. No sooner have you left your B&B for a pleasant evening stroll, than a cloud of these bloodthirsty little devils will attack from nowhere, getting into your eyes, ears, nose and mouth - and a few places you forgot you even had. The only way to avoid them is to take refuge indoors, or to hide in the nearest loch.
Midges are at their worst in the evening and in damp, shaded or overcast conditions, and between late May and September, but they don't like direct sunlight, heavy rain, smoke and wind. Make sure you're well covered up and wear light-coloured clothing (they're attracted to dark colours). Most effective is a midge net, if you don't mind everyone pointing and laughing at you. Insect repellents have some effect, particularly those with DEET, but herbal remedies such as bog myrtle, lavender, citronalla or eucalyptus are considered equally effective. Once you've been attacked the best treatments are antihistamine creams or dock leaves - and don't scratch the bites!
