These 13 pub walks suggest great walking routes in Scotland, plus a local pub or restaurant to relax in nearby. All the pubs and restaurants included have a range of special features to offer, including a real local welcome, high quality food, live music, log fires, local beer, vast whisky collections and more.
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The short walks: 1 – 3 hours
Get to know the local area on a beautifully scenic short walk. These four will give you lots to chat about afterwards.
1. Sand and Applecross Bay & Applecross Inn
Wester Ross, Highlands
The Cuillins on the Isle of Skye from Applecross Bay
The walk: Sand and Applecross Bay
Time: 3 hours
Follow the route from the beautiful bay at Applecross out to the spectacular beach at Sand and enjoy stunning views out across the water to Skye and Raasay. The route described here begins at Sand, but can easily be done in reverse by starting at Applecross.
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The pub: the Applecross Inn, Applecross
Time to pub: a few minutes’ walk
Overlooking stunning Applecross Bay, The Applecross Inn is famous for its first class location and its menu, which boasts beautiful local seafood such as langoustines, smoked salmon and crab.
Plan a trip to the Applecross Inn
2. Burns Circular Walk & The Globe Inn
Dumfries, south Scotland
Devorgilla Bridge, Dumfries
The walk: Burns Circular Walk, Dumfries
Time: 2 – 2.5 hours
When Robert Burns moved to Dumfries in 1791 he would often walk along the banks of the River Nith to enjoy the nature around him. Follow his route along the river on this beautiful walk and look out for places connected with the Bard along the way, including Burns House Museum and his mausoleum.
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The pub: The Globe Inn, Dumfries
Time to pub: a few minutes’ walk
The most fitting place to end your walk – The Globe Inn – Robert Burns’ favourite pub, or ‘howff’ as he called it. Enjoy a varied menu featuring delicious locally sourced ingredients, including Lockerbie cheese and Galloway beef. At the bar, choose from 50 single malts or sip a pint of delicious real ale, made by local brewers, Sulwath Brewery.
3. Aros Park and Tobermory circuit & The Mishnish
Mull, Argyll
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
The walk: Aros Park and Tobermory Circuit, Isle of Mull
Time: 2 hours
This lovely walk begins with beautiful views out across the brightly painted harbour at Tobermory bay and continues past a stunning waterfall before looping around a tranquil loch.
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The pub: The Mishnish, Tobermory
Time to pub: a few minutes’ walk
Located in the yellow building on Tobermory’s iconic multi-coloured harbour, The Mishnish boasts a prime setting as well as mouth-watering bar meals, a roaring log fire, live music and a great range of beer and whisky.
4. Wideford Hill & Helgi’s
Kirkwall, Orkney
The walk: Wideford Hill, Orkney
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Get your legs working on a hike up Wideford Hill and enjoy the panoramic views of Kirkwall and the surrounding islands from the top. On your way down explore the ancient Wideford Cairn, an underground communal burial site which dates from 3000 BC.
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The pub: Helgi’s, Kirkwall
Time to pub: a few minutes’ walk
Inspired by Orkney’s Viking past, Helgi’s is a charming traditional pub offering a tasty menu and a huge range of locally produced drinks, including whisky from Scapa Distillery and Highland Park Distillery, and beer from Swannay Brewery and Orkney Brewery.
Half-day walks: 3 – 5 hours
Have an adventure and immerse yourself in countryside on a longer walk. These four are guaranteed to work up your appetite.
5. Waternish Point walk & the Stein Inn
Isle of Skye
The Raven’s Coastline, Waternish Point, Isle of Skye © Flickr/Andrew
The walk: Waternish Point walk, Isle of Skye
Time: 3 – 5 hours
Stunning, wild and secluded, Waternish Point offers gorgeous sea views across the Minch to the Outer Hebrides and is one of the best places on Skye to spot whales and dolphins. The walk gives you plenty to see too – you’ll pass two ruined prehistoric dwellings known as duns or brochs.
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The pub: Stein Inn, Isle of Skye
Time to pub: 10 minute drive
Overlooking sparkling water, the whitewashed building of the Stein Inn promises a cosy retreat after a day in Skye’s stunningly wild landscapes. The menu boasts fresh fish, caught in the waters around the island, as well as Skye venison and beef. Look out for a great range of whisky and Skye ales to try too.
6. Ben Vrackie & the Moulin Hotel
Near Pitlochry, Perthshire
Ben Vrackie, Pitlochry
The walk: Ben Vrackie near Pitlochry
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Towering over the charming town of Pitlochry, Ben Vrackie is a popular hike for anyone visiting the area. At 841 m high, this mountain offers stunning views out across the countryside to the Cairngorms National Park.
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Moulin Hotel, Pitlochry
The pub: Moulin Hotel, Pitlochry
Time to pub: a few minutes’ walk
The Moulin Hotel is a former coaching inn that has stood since 1695. It even has its own microbrewery. Sample the brewery’s delicious beers and order from the tempting menu in the charmingly traditional pub, which has many period features, including open fire places and exposed stone walls.
Plan a trip to the Moulin Hotel
7. Edinburgh to Ratho & the Bridge Inn
Edinburgh
The walk: Edinburgh to Ratho via the Union Canal
Time to complete: 2.5 – 3 hours one-way
This peaceful route from Edinburgh out to Ratho follows the tranquil canal towpath along the banks of the Union Canal. This lovely route is completely off-road as it follows the National Cycle Route 754.
Get route information for National Cycle Route 754
The pub: Bridge Inn, Ratho
Time to pub: mid-way on the route
After a good walk out from the city, the Bridge Inn offers a lovely relaxed setting for you to refuel. The tempting menu features a mouth-watering range of delightfully refined dishes and hearty pub meals, all made using the freshest, locally sourced produce.
Full-day walks: 5+ hours
Up for an epic challenge? These four strenuous walks will test all your skills, knowledge and endurance, but they also offer big rewards, including a massive sense of achievement.
8. Beinn Chabhair & Drovers Inn
Near Loch Lomond
Beinn Chabhair. Loch Lomond © Flickr/Nick Bramhall
The walk: Beinn Chabhair, near Loch Lomond
Time: 5 – 6.5 hours
Located just north of Loch Lomond, this towering Munro stands at 933 m and offers stunning views of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park from the top. Look out for the plunging waterfall – Beinglas Falls – towards the beginning of the route.
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The pub: The Drovers Inn, Inverarnan
Time to pub: route begins/ends here
Established in 1705, the Drovers Inn is hugely popular with people bagging the Munros in the area (Beinn Chabhair is one!) or walking the West Highland Way. Enjoy the warmth from the real log fire as you savour some home cooked comfort food and look out for live music at the weekend.
Plan a trip to the Drovers Inn
9. Loch Ness 360° Trail & the Castle Tavern
Loch Ness, Highlands
The walk: Loch Ness 360° Trail, Inverness
Time: varies per section of the trail, but around 6 – 7 hours
The Loch Ness 360° Trail is a great way to explore the mystical shores of this infamous loch. The trail in split into six sections – Inverness to Drumnadrochit, Drumnadrochit to Invermoriston, Invermoriston to Fort Augustus, Fort Augustus to Foyers, Foyers to Dores and Dores to Inverness. You can plan to complete all six sections on your trip, or if you’re only here for a short time, why not pick and choose your favourites? Whichever section you pick, you’ll be met with incredible scenery, a peaceful atmosphere and mesmerising views.
Get route information for the Loch Ness 360° Trail
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The pub: The Castle Tavern, Inverness
Time to pub: less than 5 minutes
The Castle Tavern is a cosy, traditional real ale bar, restaurant and beer garden located in Inverness city centre, just off the banks of the River Ness. Tuck into the extensive menu featuring a range of delicious, locally-sourced foods, such as haggis crepes, sirloin steak, Scottish salmon and, of course, a good old fish & chips. Delve into the ever-changing collection of local ales and keep a look out for ‘Malt of the Month’.
Plan a trip to the Castle Tavern
10. Sgor na h-Ulaidh and Meall Lighiche & Clachaig Inn
Glen Coe, Highlands
Meall Ligiche, Glen Coe © Flickr/Graham Lewis
The walk: Sgor na h-Ulaidh and Meall Lighiche, Glen Coe
Time: 7 – 9 hours
Described by WalkHighlands as Glen Coe’s ‘forgotten’ Munro due to its remote location, Sgor na h-Ulaidh stands at a huge 994 m and offers beautiful views of the glen and it’s neighbouring Munros. A great day out in the Glen Coe mountains, the walk begins with an ascent of Meall Lighiche (a Corbett at 772 m) before continuing to its neighbour.
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Clachaig Inn, Glen Coe © Clachaig/Ed Daynes
The pub: Clachaig Inn, Glen Coe
Time to pub: 5 minute drive
A Glen Coe institution, the Clachaig Inn has welcomed visitors for over 300 years. It boasts three friendly bars to relax in, with over 350 different whiskies to choose from as well as locally sourced real ale, plus a tempting menu featuring hearty dishes such as beef burgers and haggis. Look out for the inn’s beer festivals, live music sessions, ‘meet the brewer’ events and whisky tastings.
Plan a trip to the Clachaig Inn
11. Creag Mhor and Loch Avon & the Old Bridge Inn
Glenmore, Cairngorms National Park
Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore
The walk: Creag Mhor and Loch Avon, Glenmore
Time: 8 – 10 hours
A stunning trail through the lush surroundings of the Cairngorms National Park, this route passes turquoise blue lochs and offers great views of the ancient Abernethy Forest. Highlights include a hike up Creag Mhor, a Corbett at 895 m, and a trip to Loch Avon, described by WalkHighlands as ‘one of the most remote and impressive lochs in Scotland’.
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The pub: Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore
Time to pub: 15 minute drive
Located on the banks of the River Spey in Aviemore, the Old Bridge Inn is famous for its roaring log fire, great atmosphere and tempting menu. The bar offers an excellent selection of cask ales and whiskies, and regularly hosts live music nights. Aviemore is just a 20 minute bus ride from Glenmore too (the start and end of this walk).
Plan a trip to the Old Bridge Inn
12. White Mounth Munros & the Boat Inn
Cairngorms National Park
Loch Muick and Glas Allt Shiel lodge, Glen Muick © VisitScotland/Damian Shields
The walk: White Mounth Munros, Glen Muick
Time: 9 – 11 hours
Bag five Munros in one day on this epic circular route around Glen Muick, located in the east side of the Cairngorms National Park. Your bird’s eye vantage point offers unbeatable views of shimmering Loch Muick and Dubh Loch in the glen below.
Get route information for White Mounth Munros
The pub: The Boat Inn, Aboyne
Time to pub: 50 minute drive
Although this former coaching inn is a 50 minute drive from the car park at Spittal of Glen Muick (this walk’s start and finish point), it’s well worth the extra travelling time. Not only does The Boat Inn serve up delicious home-cooked food, the bar also offers a range of craft ales sourced from Scottish suppliers, plus a good range of whisky.
13. Ladhar Bheinn & the Old Forge
Lochaber, Highlands
Inverie, Knoydart © Michael Turek
The walk: Ladhar Bheinn from Inverie, Knoydart
Time: 9 – 12 hours
If you’re looking for a real ‘escape’ destination, Inverie is the place for you. Perched on the edge of jaw-dropping Loch Nevis, the tiny village is one of the remotest places on Scotland’s mainland (there are no roads to Inverie, so the only way to get there is by boat from Mallaig, or a very long walk over mountains). The spectacular setting and brilliant walking routes are well worth travelling for though. Inverie is surrounded by three towering Munros including Ladhar Bheinn (this walk’s destination) which offers stunning views of the rugged Knoydart landscape and out across the sea to the Isle of Skye.
Get route information for Ladhar Bheinn from Inverie
The pub: The Old Forge, Inverie
Time to pub: a few minutes’ walk
If you’re worried you won’t find much comfort so far off the beaten track – think again. The Old Forge has racked up a whole host of awards over the years and boasts a mouth-watering menu that’s famed for its locally caught shellfish. Famous as mainland Britain’s remotest pub (Guinness Book of World Records), The Old Forge is the perfect place to celebrate after a full day’s hiking, with a range of tempting cask ales on tap and regular live music sessions to get you in the party spirit.
More information
Most of the pubs on this list either offer accommodation or there are other nearby options for an overnight stay.
Driving instead of walking? Remember Scotland’s drink driving laws.
Find more information about driving in Scotland
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