2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the National Trust for Scotland’s annual Footpath Fund appeal.
All across the country, thanks to our supporters sharing their love for Scotland and donating to the Footpath Fund, our Footpath team have been able to restore and maintain hundreds of miles of pathways for 25 years.
In celebration of this milestone, we have selected 25 brilliant walks for you to enjoy at our places, from challenging Munros to gentle strolls with all the family. Make new memories as you explore and discover our great outdoors.
Highlight walk of the month: Threave Nature Reserve
Enjoy a loop of Threave Nature Reserve to admire views of Threave Castle, the River Dee, wetlands and woodland. Several wildlife hides are found along the way.
Responsible access
Breathtaking scenery surrounds us in Scotland, from towering mountain ranges and rugged coastlines to glorious gardens and ancient forests. These are the places that make Scotland special, offering an escape from everyday life and a respite for the soul. We care for these spaces so that everyone can enjoy Scotland’s great outdoors.
Please help us to protect our countryside places by always following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and adhering to our advice below.
Equipment
First things first: make sure you’ve got a good pair of walking shoes/boots. You’ll also need lightweight layers and waterproof clothing, to stay dry and warm. If you’re heading into the hills or wilderness, please take a proper map, a torch, a compass and a safety kit, and make sure you carry enough water and food.
A note on walking poles – some of them have very pointed ends and create little holes beside the path. This can damage fragile vegetation. In winter, if water gets into the hole and it freezes, it expands and starts to break up the soil, eventually breaking the verges away. It’s very simple to stop that happening: please buy a couple of rubber tips for your poles and pop those on!
Preparation
Know your routes, check the weather from a reliable source before you leave, and learn how to properly navigate using an OS map and compass – lots of Munros are remote, so you won’t have phone signal if you get lost or stuck. Be honest about your ability, and remember that even a simple 5-mile walk feels much harder when you’re going uphill.
The weather in Scotland notoriously changes very quickly – be fully prepared for all four seasons, especially if hillwalking.
Safety
Please respect your surroundings and take all litter home with you. It’s also a good idea to tell people where you’re going when planning a hill walk. We suggest you leave a route card and an estimated return time with someone who can call for help if you don’t come back on schedule.
After all our incredible work on our footpaths, we urge people to stick to them! They are there to make access a little safer and, importantly, to reduce damage to the rest of the hill. If or when you step off the path to let people go by, please remember to step back on as fast as you can and don’t be tempted to take any short cuts. By keeping to the path, hopefully we can all prevent erosion scars developing as well as care for vulnerable and endangered species.
Scotland’s landscapes are some of the most spectacular places on Earth. We hope you experience the beauty of our wonderful outdoor spaces this year. And remember, by joining the National Trust for Scotland, you can enjoy free parking in our car parks, free entry to our places and much, much more!
Further information about walking in Scotland
It’s good to be outdoors
A recent survey carried out for the National Trust for Scotland shows that 97% of Scots believe access to the outdoors is important for their mental health. The research also found that 95% of those surveyed said spending time outdoors was effective at reducing their stress levels, with 89% stating that it enhances their quality of life.
The Scottish coast topped the polls as the preferred place to spend time outdoors (58%), followed by 50% who favoured woodland spaces and 48% choosing country parks or gardens. The popularity of a wide range of landscapes, and their value to people’s wellbeing, highlights the importance of our charity’s work to care for, protect and share Scotland’s outdoor places.
It doesn’t have to be an epic climb of a mountain – it can be as simple as a walk around a peaceful garden or beside the bracing Scottish coastline. Whether you’re looking for a family day out, to make new memories with friends or discover a new experience, there’s a walk for everyone.
Wildlife spotting guides
Don’t forget your binoculars when heading out on a walk – you never know what you might see!
Spotter’s guide: Birds
The Trust protects the habitats of more than a million seabirds, as well as birds that nest in our woodlands, gardens and hills.
Spotter’s guide: Insects
There are many different insect species in the gardens and places we look after.
Spotter’s guide: Wildflowers
From lowlands to meadows across the country, brightly coloured wildflowers announce the arrival of spring at our properties. How many can you find in gardens and parks near you?
