Outdoors

An ice cream van with blue sky above. Picture:StockCube/Adobe

Mr Whippy on a beach in Northumberland: my summer has started - Gaby Soutar

MarineFest, a five-day celebration of all things related to the sea, will kick off at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick on World Ocean Day, 8 June. Festival-goers can also watch this year's nesting puffins using the centre's wildlife cams or take a boat trip to nearby islands. Picture: Nicol Nicolson

Festival to showcase Scotland’s seas and celebrate World Ocean Day

Surveys on An Teallach show the impacts of heavy footfall from walkers and the increasingly extreme Scottish weather, which are speeding up erosion and causing damage to mountain habitats. Picture: OATS

Climate change, hillwalkers and Brexit take toll on Scottish mountains

Sam Petrie, Hayley Dorian and Naomi Brehm from the Wild Sea Women swimming group get ready for a dip in the sea at Seaburn beach in Sunderland -- the women have been taking part in a unique study which sought to identify biological changes in the body caused by exposure to cold water. Picture: David Wood

Scottish women sought for study into health benefits of cold-water plunge

Cycling is a great way to keep fit for all the family (photo: Adobe)

Gearing up for World Bicycle Day and Bike Week 100

Waverley about to leave Dunoon during a Clyde cruise last August. Picture: John Devlin

Passions: Steaming away from it all on the Paddle Steamer Waverley

Jo Malone Highlands Collection

Jo Malone launches fragrance collection inspired by the Scottish Highlands

Kinnaird Head lighthouse

Spotlight on Scotland's best-known lighthouses - Roger O'Reilly

Gretna Green is a village in the southern council area of Dumfries and Galloway, about 90 miles away from Glasgow. At dusk, hundreds of thousands of starlings flock to the parish in an event known as the “Starling murmuration”.

Best Birdwatching Spots in Scotland: 21 Places to see beautiful Scottish birds

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most well-known castles for its intriguing history and architecture. New tapestries at the castle were crafted as part of a £2 million project which took 13 years to complete. They recapture the atmosphere of the royal court.

Best of Scottish Tourism: 25 Spectacular places in Scotland for new tourists

Craig McLachlan PIC: Lewis Arnold

Scottish surf champ Craig McLachlan is ready to take on Europe

Light-coloured carpets and rugs are a real risk for the owners of some breeds of dog.

The 10 breeds of dog most likely to get mucky on walks

Here are the 10 most popular gundog breeds according to the Kennel Club (Getty Images)

10 of the most popular breeds of gun dog that were bred to hunt

Will Slater, reluctant runner

‘I now know horrors such as skater’s lunge. I prefer resting crisp eater’

Chopping wood is therapeutic

‘Ten minutes of splitting logs and all your problems melt away’

Scotland has no shortage of stunning parks and gardens.

Scotland's 10 most highly-rated parks and gardens according to online reviewers

St Giles’ Cathedral is located on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile which is halfway between the Palace of Holyrood and Edinburgh Castle. It was founded in 1124 by King David I and has been an operational church for roughly 900 years.

Scotland’s Most Beautiful Churches: 21 Scottish Churches voted by our readers

You can find Loch Shiel around 20 kilometres west of Fort William in Scotland’s Highland council area. It stretches out for 28 kilometres from the famous Glenfinnan.

17 Beautiful Scottish Lochs to visit while the sun is shining in Scotland

The Highland Games are events held around spring and summer in Scotland and other countries with a prominent Scottish diaspora.

History of the Highland Games: The traditions of the Scottish Highland Games

Loch Ness rests 20 miles southwest of Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, and is the home to the elusive and world-famous cryptid the Loch Ness Monster. Here you will also find Urquhart Castle, a 1,000-year-old settlement that sits in ruin but stands to tell the colourful tales of Scotland's dark history.

National Geographic crowns Scottish Highlands in ‘Best of the World 2023' list

Spending time outdoors has so many benefits for us (photo: Adobe)

Nourish your mental health with time spent outdoors

Portobello Beach is a beautiful seaside suburb with two miles worth of sandy beaches to explore. Located only a few miles from the city centre of Edinburgh, the location is affectionately referred to as ‘Porty’ by locals and it offers some incredible views overlooking the Forth. With the right weather it is perfect for a swimming or sunbathing session.

What to do in Edinburgh for free: 13 Exciting things in Edinburgh free of charge

You can find Bobby on George IV bridge close to Chambers Street in Edinburgh. A memorial to the dog that was truly man’s best friend, it reads: “A tribute to the affectionate fidelity of Greyfriars Bobby. In 1858 this faithful dog followed the remains of his master to Greyfriars Churchyard and lingered near the spot until his death in 1872.”

Statues of Scotland: The 25 Best Scottish statues starting with Greyfriars Bobby

We review portable power station Delta 2 - will it help in a power outage?

We review portable power station Delta 2 - will it help in a blackout?

The 'Catalan Coast and Mountains in Style' self-guided tour offers an unrivalled opportunity to experience the best of Catalonia at your own pace.

Catalan Coast and Mountains in Style with Macs Adventure - Scotland on Sunday

It is hoped that the campaign will make angling accessible and fun for all ages (photo: Adobe)

Campaign to support the next generation of anglers

Dunnottar Castle can be found on a rocky outcrop in Aberdeenshire, just one and a half miles south of Stonehaven. The 160ft rock is surrounded by the North Sea which made it a well-defended fortress.

25 Beloved Scottish castles as voted by Scotsman readers starting with Dunnottar

Visit Scotland reports that the country has "over 40 glens waiting to be discovered, each unique in their own way."

Scotland’s Glorious Glens: 13 Scottish glens you must visit including Glen Etive

Environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage is calling for people to take part in a series of protests taking place around the country on 20 May to demonstrate anger at spills of toilet waste which are contaminating seas and rivers. Picture: Karl Mackie

Poo-poo: Dirty protest over sewage spills in seas and rivers

'Ugly hallow' - New £3.1m visitor centre opens at Highland gorge

A view along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.

Black Prince canal holidays review: plain sailing on a scenic waterway

Teapot Trust Elsewhere Garden Pic: Sandra Dieckmann

Scottish duo take their garden to Chelsea Flower Show

Some of Scotland's best campsites.

The 10 best camping and glamping sites in Scotland - as voted for by campers

A migrating salmon jumps up the Falls of Shin, near the village of Bonar Bridge.

10 of the best salmon fishing rivers in Scotland

Views of some of Scotland's largest lochs.

The 10 largest Scottish lochs by area - from Loch Lomond to Loch Ericht

The Gaelic translation for Dunnottar is "fort on the shelving slope" and this is why the fortress has played such a prominent role in Scottish history back in the 18th century with the Jacobite rising because it was a defensive and strategic location. Described as a "ruined medieval fortress" today you can still explore it at the north-eastern coast of Scotland, 2 miles away from Stonehaven.

Scottish Castles and Clans: 17 Famous Castles and the Clans that occupied them

The aurora borealis is one of the most spectacular sights you can experience in the skies over Scotland.

10 of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland

You might not get views quite as good as this, but there are plenty of places in and around Edinburgh that are great for amateur astronomers.

The 10 best places to find dark skies for stargazing in and around Edinburgh

You can find this beach on the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides. At Luskentyre, white sands ripple down to deep aquamarine waters - imparting a feeling of being in a completely different country. Back in 2017, it placed number four in the ‘top 10 UK beaches’ awards.

White Sand Beaches of Scotland: 13 Scottish beaches that rival tropical scenery

Ben Nevis is Scotland's most famous Munro - and the highest peak in the UK.

What's a Munro, who are they named after, and what are the highest and lowest?

Siskin interior

Travel Scotland: Treehouses by Leckie, Stirlingshire

The Laurie family next to one of the Mull pods.

Glamping firm behind luxury 'sustainable pods' in £1.5m Scottish expansion

Ben Loyal is one of Scotland's lowest Corbetts.

The 15 highest and lowest Corbett mountains in Scotland

Alternate versions of the capital city of Scotland (Edinburgh) can be found all over the globe from Canada to the most remote regions of the South Atlantic.

Edinburgh around the World: 12 Places named after the Scottish capital Edinburgh

“Scotland is a wonderfully fascinating place for wildlife and nature. It has, in my opinion, some of the most marvellous landscapes and wildlife spectacles you will find anywhere.”

Best of David Attenborough: 29 epic quotes in honour of his new 2023 show

The 'Catalan Coast and Mountains in Style' self-guided tour offers an unrivalled opportunity to experience the best of Catalonia at your own pace.

‘Catalan Coast and Mountains in Style’ with Macs Adventure - Scotland on Sunday

Could your dog's outdoor gear do with a clean?

7 expert tips for cleaning your adorable dog’s dirty outdoor gear

And they're off!

Musselburgh Racecourse Corgi Derby: gallery of photos from 2023 dog race

Revised plans for the bridge climbs centre were approved last June. Picture: Network Rail

Forth Bridge climbs further delayed by cost cuts

St Kilda became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986 and it is seen as ‘the most remote island in the British Isles’, even known as the ‘islands at the edge of the world’. A solemn yet fascinating location, it lies roughly 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, and is considered difficult to reach due to its position surrounded by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. While it hosts the largest colony of Atlantic Puffins in the UK, it is also known as the former home of Gaelic-speaking islanders for thousands of years before their way of life became unsustainable in 1930, it has since rested chillingly uninhabited.

6 Scottish locations that earned UNESCO world heritage status including St Kilda

The Isle of Soay only has one permanent resident.

The 21 populated islands in Scotland where fewest people live

This Borders base offers total tranquillity, with the Borders and Edinburgh on its doorstep

Ad Feature Holiday heaven: Discover nature’s wonder just outside Edinburgh

Four of the most populous Scottish islands.

The 10 Scottish islands where most people live

Some of the biggest lochs in Scotland - by volume of water they contain.

The 10 largest Scottish lochs by volume of water - from Loch Ness to Loch Shiel

Scotland will have mixed weather over the Easter weekend, according to forecasters.

The Scottish weather forecast for the long Easter weekend

Most dogs love a trip to the beach - but they are not always welcome.

All the beaches in Scotland that have restrictions on dogs

The striking Coorie lodge is a one-of-a-kind creation dreamed up by a renowned firm of Glasgow architects.

Stay in a quirky dog-friendly lodge on the banks of shimmering Loch Venachar

The Torridon Hills are a popular spot with walkers.

All 222 Scottish Corbetts in order of height - from Beinn Dearg to Cnoc Coinnich

Environmentalists and outdoors groups, including Ramblers Scotland, have raised concerns over plans to build an 18-hole golf course at Coul Links, warning that important natural features and wildlife could be lost or damaged and access to the spectacular area will be restricted to avoid interference with play

‘Fake’ locals used to promote US billionaire's Highland golf resort plan

Community volunteers inject seagrass seeds at Pettycur Bay, Kinghorn (Pic: Maverick Photo Agency)

Milestone in £2.4m project to revive Forth’s meadows of seagrass

A few of the easier Scottish Munros to bag.

11 of the easiest Munros to bag

If you're looking to conquer every one of Scotland's Munros, these are some of the trickiest peaks you'll have to face.

Here are the 10 most difficult Scottish Munros to bag

Coming in at a height of 1,345m, Ben Nevis is Scotland's highest mountain.

All 282 Scottish Munros in order of height - from Ben Vane to Ben Nevis

Mark Boyd will be the man to beat at this year's Scottish National Surfing Championships PIC: Malsurf

Celebrating 50 years of the Scottish National Surfing Championships

The popular Outlander television series, starring Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall and Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, has brought fans flocking to landmarks in Scotland with links to the story

Culloden battle: Entry fees review as Outlander fans flock to Jacobite site

Finlay Wilson, the Kilted Yogi

Yoga Scotland: top teachers share their favourite poses and practice tips

Some of Scotland's longest lochs.

The 10 longest Scottish lochs - from Loch Awe to Loch Morar

Handpicked adventure to explore the very best of Scotland’s remote and stunning scenery

Ad Feature 5 of the best off grid adventures in Scotland

The Scotsman Top Stories

Kinloch Castle, the Grade A Listed Building on the Isle of Rum, which the Scottish Government has been unable to sell and lies in a state of slow decay. PIC: NatureScot.

Castle at the heart of island's future as millionaire speaks out on failed sale

Capital Theatres has released a flythrough digital animation giving an artist’s impression of the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh

Succession star Brian Cox voices video flythrough of King's Theatre revamp

Charities say more affordable homes need to be built to help manage Scotland's housing crisis.

Over 300,000 people on social housing waiting lists in Scotland