Enjoy National Scenic Areas

Scotland’s National Scenic Areas (NSAs) have something for everyone. There are gentle riverside strolls, like those at The Hermitage in the River Tay (Dunkeld) NSA. Or you can explore our wilder coasts and mountains in the Jura or Wester Ross NSAs.

Take to our hills and mountains

From the path up Stac Pollaidh, you get a stunning panorama of the cnoc and lochan landscape of Assynt–Coigach NSA. Leitir Easaidh all-abilities path offers a gentler way to admire these magnificent mountains.

Further south, in Wester Ross NSA, you can visit the impressive Triple Buttress of Coire Mhic Fhearchair or cross the cavernous depths of Corrieshalloch Gorge.

A walk among the Fairy Pools and Coire na Creiche offers fantastic views of the rugged ridge that dominates the Cuillin Hills NSA. Venturing to Steall Falls and the Nevis Gorge and into the Lost Valley reveals the hidden secrets of Ben Nevis and Glencoe NSA.

Or, why not head into the ice-scoured heart of the Cairngorm Mountains NSA? You can walk or cycle the Glen Einich Shieling Path, which is one of Scotland’s heritage paths.

For the more adventurous, Scotland's NSAs contain many of our most spectacular wild areas and Munro summits.

Explore our coasts and islands

Walk along the stunning seabird cliffs of Hermaness National Nature Reserve (NNR) within Shetland NSA, our most northerly NSA. Or navigate the mud and merse of Caerlaverock NNR in Nith Estuary NSA to do some serious wildlife spotting in southern Scotland.

Our west coast boasts some truly breathtaking seascapes. Admire the views as you stroll from Tarbert to Seilebost in South Lewis, Harris and North Uist NSA. Or soak up the sights from the Singing Sands of Eigg, part of the Small Isles NSA.

East coast gems include the so-called ‘Million Dollar View’ of Dornoch Firth NSA as you ascend Struie Hill. In Orkney, a real highlight of the Hoy and West Mainland NSA is the walk out to the Old Man of Hoy, an imposing sea stack.

Reaching an island’s high points – such as Goat Fell, in North Arran NSA – gives a brilliant bird’s eye view of the landscape. Even at just 94m, the viewpoint on Inchcailloch has an amazing outlook over the other islands and bonny banks of Loch Lomond NSA.