1 NEW Year New You. It’s the time of fresh starts and getting healthy after the festive season. But in this column we are all about the good times, and so my friends I have pulled together a selection of good walks all over the country (with cosy pubs, a flickering fire and a good malt whisky at the end of your walk)! First up is the glorious Bridge Inn at Ratho. Start from Fountainbridge in Edinburgh and have a lovely Sunday meander along the Union Canal and into the heather of the countryside. After just seven miles you will reach the pretty village of Ratho and the warm welcome at the Bridge Inn – open fires, a great wine list, farm-to-table food and a braw Sunday roast. Check them out at www.bridgeinn.com and on insta @bridgeinnratho
2 Next up is the well kent Fife Coastal Path, a leisurely six-mile walk from Pittenweem to Elie past the tiny harbour of St Monans, the remains of Newark and Ardros Castles, past Lady’s Tower and into Elie and down to the famed seafront bar The Ship Inn. With stunning views over the bay, seafood, live music, beach bonfires and roaring fires, if you can’t be bothered with the walk back, book in. They have seven gorgeous bedrooms all with beautiful views. Check them out at www.theshipinn.scot or on insta @elieshipinn
3 No-one can ever walk the west sands at St Andrews without hearing the theme to Chariots Of Fire. Walk from West Sands back into town, starting at the Bruce embankment and passing the Eden Estuary Nature reserve, before heading back towards the famous Old Course. After an extremely easy four miles it’s into the One Under Bar. Pub classics done properly. Check them out at www.marineandlawn.com or on insta @1underbar
4 Maybe you’re a North Berwick Fan? There’s no need for hiking boots as North Berwick Law is an easy climb for stunning views of the Pentlands and Arthur’s Seat and across the Firth of Forth. Once you’re done with your six-mile walk head for the Lawn Restaurant And Bar at Marine North. Headed up by head chef Chris Niven, you’re in for a gastronomic treat, with Loch Fyne oysters, the finest salmon and Aberdeen Angus steaks. Check them out at www.lawnrestaurant.co.uk
5 On the west coast you could take yourself up the heritage trails around Scotland’s most beautiful town Luss, on the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond. Luss boasts a network of way-marked village paths that take between 15 minutes and one hour to complete. Two of the paths are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, and longer walks can be enjoyed by following Luss Glen up into the hills. After head for the Loch Lomond Arms – everything you want a country pub to be – open fire, Harris tweed cushions and an epic selection of malt whisky. Find out more on www.lochlomondarmshotel.com And on insta @lochlomondarmshotel
6 The Drovers Inn at Inverarnan is famed the world over and rightly so. Walks aplenty surround the pub – take your pick, quite literally. Once inside, it’s like taking a step back to a time when the fire’s always lit, the food’s always good and the people are always smiling. Live music and rooms upstairs. Check them out at www.droversinn.co.uk
7 I've saved the best till last, a new treasure. In my favourite wee seaside town of Troon there’s a new haunt at the end of the beach. Walk the leisurely 2.5-mile trail past the famous golf course and along the promenade and find yourself at the Links Cocktail Bar where owner and mixologist Jamie has carved out a niche for himself. Classic simple and stylish, the bar offers a menu of light snacks and the most incredible cocktails. Check them out on insta @linkscocktailbar or at www.facebook.com/Links-Cocktail-Bar-Troon
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