Scotland's nature and geography

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Year of Natural Scotland 2013
Year of Natural Scotland 2013

Celebrate Scotland's natural beauty throughout 2013

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With over 11,000km of coastline, hundreds of islands, majestic mountains and beautiful canals, rivers and lochs, Scotland’s landscape and distinct geography offers a stunning mix of unique and inspiring habitats for you to explore. Scotland’s nature and geography will take your breath away.

Discover over 1,400 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and 47 National Nature Reserves (NNR) each containing some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery and threatened wildlife. These rich and diverse habitats range from the sub arctic wilderness of the mountainous Cairngorms National Park, with its numerous arctic landforms and rare alpine plants, to the rare blanket bog of Caithness, and the unique low-lying, flower rich machair lands of the Hebridean coast, one of the most unique habitats in Europe.

Explore Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Scotland’s first National Park, and you will find a haven for those who love walking, wildlife and the great outdoors. In the park you will come across the Arrochar Alps, one of the more popular climbing regions in Scotland due to its proximity to Glasgow. But you don’t have to climb mountains to enjoy this beautiful area - there are many fantastic walks along the shore of Loch Lomond.

Enjoy a walk along one of Scotland’s picturesque, meandering waterways where pristine rivers and lochs, full of wild salmon and trout, contribute to the breathtaking scenery. For those with green-fingers, take a stroll around one of the many beautiful award-winning gardens found across the country.

With miles upon miles of scenic landscape and a wealth of wildlife splendour, take your time to appreciate the beauty of this wild and untamed land.

  • A climber takes in the view across the Black Cuillin, Skye
    The Black Cuillin, Skye
The House of Dun and gardens near Montrose, Angus

Gardens and parks

Scotland boasts a wide range of stunning parks and gardens in the cities, countryside and castle grounds.

Looking across the Sound of Iona to the Isle of Iona from Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull

Coasts and islands

Explore thousands of miles of stunning coastline, taking in rich wildlife, geological treasures and pristine white beaches.

A view of the sun setting over Loch Lomond from Rowardennan Pier

National Parks

Uncover Scotland’s two beautiful National Parks in the Cairngorms and in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs.

The Falkirk Wheel, which connects the Union Canal with the Forth & Clyde Canal

Canals, rivers and lochs

Whether you travel by boat or towpath, you can witness spectacular landscapes and rich built heritage.

Loch Trool, near Newton Stewart, in the Galloway Forest Park

Forests and woodlands

Scotland is home to a variety of stunning woodlands and dense forests that are teeming with wildlife and flora.

the view across Loch Tay to Ben Lawers, a Munro near Kenmore, Perthshire

Mountains and hills

Scotland is known for her majestic mountains and rolling hills - why not take on one of Scotland’s iconic Munros?

Year of Natural Scotland 2013 logo

Year of Natural Scotland

Celebrate the country’s outstanding beauty during the Year of Natural Scotland 2013, and enjoy stunning landscapes, wildlife, food and drink and much more.

Looking out across the Falls of Dochart, Killin

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

This breathtakingly beautiful region is the location of Scotland's first national park and is full of pristine lochs, lush glens and rugged mountains waiting to be explored.

The CairnGorm Mountain funicular railway climbs up amdist the snow

Cairngorms National Park

Use this itinerary to explore and discover the wild gems at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, with its stunning natural beauty to explore and enjoy.

Nature and geography across Scotland

Fife Coastal Path

Uncover the natural beauty of the Fife Coastal Path.

Scotland's Gardens

Visit some of Scotland's finest privately-owned gardens with Scotland's Gardens (SG).

Shetland's geology

Shetland’s extraordinary landscape is a treasure trove of stunning geological landmarks found throughout these remote islands.

Green city spaces and countryside parks

Discover the great outdoors in Edinburgh & The Lothians with many beautiful parks, beaches and gardens.

Highland landscapes

Uncover magnificent glens, towering peaks, breathtaking beaches and famous lochs.

East horticultural delights

Explore beautiful gardens on a walk through exotic blooms and sculpted shrubs in Perthshire, Angus and Fife.