PICTURES: 4 stunning inland, coastal and lochside walks in the Highlands
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THE lighter nights and warmer weather means spring has most definitely sprung, and minds have naturally turned towards exploring some of the majestic scenery on our doorsteps.
The Highlands and islands are chock full of stunning scenery and world-famous vistas - one of which we will be 'visiting' in today's guide to some of our region's beautiful walks.
So if you're looking for ideas of where to visit or places to explore on foot or by bike, then what are you waiting for?
Read on for our guides to four stunning inland, coastal and lochside walks in the Highlands and Skye. And if none of these catch your eye, then why not check out some of our past walk suggestions from previous weeks?
Related: 5 great coastal, hill and inland loch walks in the Highlands
Related: WATCH: 4 beautiful walks through the Scottish Highland landscape
Related: 4 lost steam railway line walks to enjoy in the Highlands and Moray
Glencanisp Loop, Lochinver
A BEAUTIFUL five-and-half mile circuit that starts and finished in the delightful Assynt village of Lochinver, this circular walk packs a lot in.
Be it picturesque waterfalls on the River Inver, the sombre remains of a cleared village, views across to the striking summit of Suilven, or waterside wanders past the shore of Loch Druim Suardalain, you'll see a lot of beautiful scenery on your travels.
Setting off from one of the car parks in Lochinver, head east towards the bridge over the River Inver, where a signpost and picnic tables mark the start of the Glencanisp loop.
From here you'll follow the river's meandering path past dramatic water-carved rocks, gurgling waterfalls and the many beats of this popular salmon-fishing area.
After a couple of miles you'll emerge from the picturesque woodland, where the wall-like flanks of the distant Quinag will come into view.
Shortly after this you'll see a path off to the right which climbs through a small valley and past the ruins of the cleared township of Dubh Chlais before rising onto a ridge and enjoying spectacular views across to Suilven to the south-east and Loch Druim Suardalain to the south-west.
From here the path descends fairly rapidly to Glencanisp Lodge and your path them passes between the lodge itself and the former stable building before following a minor road all the way back into Lochinver and the place where you parked your car.
A great walk that offers much to enjoy, including a range of tempting targets for your camera, and which will undoubtedly be worth repeat visits at different times of year.
Click here to read our full description of the walk in Active Outdoors.
The Coral Beach, Skye
THIS stunning their and back again walk sees walkers hug the spectacular Skye coast north of Dunvegan to a truly beautiful stretch of 'sand'.
The famous coral beach is like something out of a Caribbean or Mediterranean holiday brochure. The white sands - and I DO mean white - sparkle invitingly in the sun and turn the waters of the sea an inviting azure blue.
The beach is reached via a straight-forward low-level walk on easy terrain along well defined tracks and coastal fields from a dedicated car park, which is located just over a mile away.
In reality, the white sands that make up the beach are not in fact coral, but the fine remains of calcified seaweed, but the effect is just as stunning to see.
And, if you time your visit right, the low tide will reveal a causeway to the nearby tiny island of Lampay.
But make sure not to tarry too long if the tide is on the turn - a walk out to the island that looks fine one minute could result in some very wet legs on the return just 15 minutes later.
Whether you'll even want to arrive at low tide is entirely subjective as well, as the stunning blues of the sea - and white sand below the waves - are arguably more stunning when the tide is in.
When you reach the beach the nearby hillock of Cnoc Mor a' Ghrobain makes for a super vantage point from which to look down at the beach and snap some pictures.
Old Man of Storr
A world-famous icon of Scotland, the Old Man of Storr looks like something straight out of a Lord of the Rings fantasy novel.
But while Tolkein's epic is a work of fiction, the Old Man of Storr is very much real.
And, what's more, it's relatively easy to hike to and explore.
Setting off from a dedicated, and recently extended, car park by the side of the road, the walk winds its way up towards the Trotternish Ridge via very well signposted and maintained paths.
A relatively short walk, the trip is nevertheless steep at times, and while recent improvements have seen additional stone paving laid, the route can be slippy/muddy in places.
Walkers should also keep their eyes and ears peeled for any falling stones and pebbles, which can be dislodged by walkers exploring the ridge and the myriad pathways in and around the Old Man itself.
Speaking of which, this spectacular rock formation will soon hove into sight, but if you want to enjoy the famous view of it that adorns countless postcards, then you'll need to keep following the trail path to a nearby knoll.
From here you'll enjoy spectacular views south down to the pinnacle and onto the waters of lochs Leathan and Fada beyond, and the distant Coulins.
Return by the outward route.
Ormond Castle, Avoch
This super four-mile circuit makes for a great family-friendly walk, taking in the charming village fo Avoch, the earthwork remains of a former castle and some superb coastal views.
Starting in the car park next to the village's harbour, walkers head west along the seafront road past housing before turning right up a short hill and then left towards the ruin of Ormond Castle.
There's not much left of the castle today, just lumps in the earth, but the site is well marked and makes for an excellent panoramic view out into the Inner Moray Firth and back towards Avoch, which curves away from you like a crescent.
From here the circuit continues to head west through woodland for a bit before curving northwards and joining a minor road that heads back into Avoch.
Click here to read our full description of the walk in Active Outdoors.
Hopefully this week's selection of walk options will have given you some ideas for an outdoor adventure. But, if you didn't find any walks that took your fancy, then don't worry. Why not check out some of the walks we've highlighted in previous pieces? Or, you can also keep an eagle eye out on the website for our next piece on beautiful Highland walks, coming soon. Which ones will feature in the piece? Well, you'll have to wait and see...
