If your plans to explore Scotland in 2020 were scuppered, here’s hoping to better luck in 2021. After the success of recent themed travel promotions, VisitScotland declared 2020 the Year of Coasts and Waters and that has now been extended to the end of 2021:
In 2020, Scotland celebrates its Coasts and Waters with a year-long programme of events and activities which will shine a spotlight on these vital elements of our landscape.
Including its many islands, Scotland boasts a hugely varied coastline and a rich offering of inland waters in both rural and urban settings for both visitors and locals to enjoy. Our Coasts and Waters are host to an amazing array of riches, come in all shapes and sizes, and are greatly valued and cherished by communities and visitors alike. Our lochs, rivers and canals also play an important part in the visitor experience, offering boat trips, fishing opportunities and activity holidays, while the many nature reserves across the country are home to a tremendous variety of flora, fauna and wildlife.
Scotland’s Coasts and Waters have shaped our history: from fishing and textiles to whisky and wave power they have influenced our stories, our culture, our way of life. So whether you want to navigate your way around distant isles or canals, experience Scotland’s maritime heritage at a visitor attraction, enjoy Scotland’s abundant natural larder or discover Scotland’s wildlife on a local boat trip – Scotland’s coasts and waters are perfect for get-away-from-it-all adventures. So what are you waiting for – come on in, the water’s lovely!
Join the conversation #YCW20/21
In other words, what better time to discover the country’s shores, waterways, and islands? Here at British Food and Travel, you can find information about Scotland’s National Parks, as well as some of the best beaches, train journeys, and food. And in the next year, we’ll be sharing some of the many, many spots you might want to experience for yourself – be they on the coast, on one of the thousands of lochs and rivers, or on one of the surrounding islands. Whatever your interests – walking, wildlife, cycling, swimming, eating, photography, etc – Scotland has something for you and the Year of Coasts and Waters is the perfect time to visit.
Scotland’s Lochs
With an estimated 31,460 lochs in Scotland, there will always be a new destination to enjoy. So if you think you’ve seen it all, think again. You’ve heard of Loch Ness and Loch Lomond but that still leaves quite a few more. And if you want to impress your travel companions with some fun loch facts, here are a few to get you started:
- The aforementioned Loch Ness is Scotland’s largest loch by volume, containing more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. (That gives Nessie plenty of room to hide.)
- Loch Lomond has the largest surface area – 71 square km.
- Wondering about the deepest loch? Loch Morar reaches depths of 310 metres, making it the deepest body of freshwater in the entire British Isles. Morar also has its own fabled creature, known as Morag.
- Loch Ard is one of the smallest lochs but its small size does not diminish its importance; it is the source of the River Forth.
Scotland’s Shores
Prefer salt water to fresh? The wild crashing of waves upon rocks? You’re in luck. Scotland has an estimated 10,250 miles (16,500km) of coastline if you include the many islands. But it’s not all wild and woolly. You can also find long stretches of beautiful beaches and calming spots ideal for relaxation.
You are always within 40 miles (65km) of the coast, wherever you happen to be in Scotland, so there’s no excuse to take a quick drive or hop on a bus to get your feet wet.
Scotland’s Islands
There are more than 790 islands around the coast of Scotland, including the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands. Asking which one is the best is a redundant question – they all are! But if you need some help narrowing it down, the following are good starting points:
- Isle of Skye – magnificent landscapes
- Islay – if you’re a whisky lover, this island has 9 distilleries to visit.
- The Shetlands – remote plus ponies!
- The Orkneys – great for archaeology
Be warned though, once you visit one, you’ll want to visit that one you see on the horizon, and then the next one….
As we celebrate Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21, we’ll be sharing some of the country’s stunning landscapes. But don’t wait for us. Start planning a trip now!
