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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Andrew Smart

Here are 7 natural wonders in Scotland to check out this spring

With spring upon us and the weather getting better, many will be looking for ways to explore the great outdoors in Scotland this season.

Scotland has lots of natural wonders on offer, making it the perfect place to go exploring.

This comes after the launch of David Attenborough's Wild Isles on BBC earlier this month where the popular nature documentarian showcased UK woodlands, grasslands and ocean habitats.

To celebrate Scotland's leading role in the series, VisitScotland has revealed Seven locations perfect for you and your family to see.

The National: (Canva) VisitScotland has rounded up 7 of the country's best natural wonders(Canva) VisitScotland has rounded up 7 of the country's best natural wonders (Image: Canva)

Scotland's 7 natural wonders worth a visit this spring

Here are just seven of Scotland's natural wonders to explore

Scottish Dark Sky Park – Dumfries and Galloway  

Galloway Forest Park in the Scottish southwest is Europe's first designated international dark sky park, making it among the darkest places in Scotland and perfect for stargazing.

The inky dark sky has a reputation among those interested in looking up at the stars with the Sky Quality Metre giving it a score of 23.6 on a scale of 25.

This would also make it the best place to catch the Northern Lights as well as over 7000 stars and planets visible to the naked eye.

Rannoch Moor – The Highlands 

Often named one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe, it is a largely uninhabited moorland and the most extensive complex of soligenous mire in Britain.

Occupying around 150 square miles of Perthshire, it is a challenging location to traverse but supports a wide variety of flora and fauna, a wealth of plants, insects, birds and animal life, ranging from curlews and grouse to roe and red deer.   

The Three Sisters of Glencoe – The Highlands  

The Three Sisters are three steeply-sided ridges that were shared millions of years ago.

The three sisters consist of Beinn Fhada (Long Hill) on the east, Gearr Aonach (Short Ridge) in the middle and Aonach Dubh (Black Ridge) on the west.

The National: (Canva) Fingal's Cave was formed of the same ancient lava flow that created the Giant's Causeway in Ireland(Canva) Fingal's Cave was formed of the same ancient lava flow that created the Giant's Causeway in Ireland (Image: Canva)

Fingal’s Cave – Isle of Staffa  

Fingal's Cave is located on the uninhabited Isle of Staffa in Argyll & Bute and is one of the best-known caves in Scotland.

The cave is very distinctive and is formed entirely of hexagonal basalt columns shaped as six-sided pillars.

It was formed by the same ancient lava flow that formed the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Clachan Sands, North Uist – Outer Hebrides  

To get a glimpse of some of Scotland's most stunning beaches, try visiting the islands that make up Uist.

The six islands were described by VisitScotland as containing: "Miles and miles of white sands and gorgeous green-blue waters that could be mistaken for a tropical beach on a warm spring or summer's day. Nestled between the isles of Lewis and Harris, the isles of Uist truly are a little slice of heaven.    

"Coastal scenery really doesn't come better than Clachan Sands on North Uist. Here, visitors can experience the most spectacular sunset they will remember forever.

"The beach's white sand is made up of broken shells, and the machair runs parallel to the beach, making it ideal for walking. Not only this, but Clachan Sands is an absolute haven for wildlife, with animals such as the elusive corncrake, and the machair is home to an assorted variety of wildflowers during the warmer months."

The National: (Canva) Flow Country is the most intact and extensive bog system in the world(Canva) Flow Country is the most intact and extensive bog system in the world (Image: Canva)

Flow Country - The Highlands  

Flow Country in the Highlands was called "truly remarkable" by the tourism group with the area aiming to become the UK's next Natural World Heritage Site.

The area is the most intact and extensive bog system in the world, making it a place of global importance.

The area is a "photographer's paradise" with Visit Scotland adding: "Not only do these host a wealth of eye-catching flora and fauna, but they also play a vital role in our defence against the effects of climate change!   

"From a bird’s eye view, the land is a mottled pattern of peat and pools, with their colours shifting like an opal: a true place of inspiration and peace for visitors."

The Old Man of Hoy – Orkney  

Last, but by no means least, is The Old Man of Hoy in Orkney, the UK's tallest sea stack, reaching heights of 449 ft.

VisitScotland said: "The Old Man was originally an arch with two ‘legs’, hence its human name. Situated on the island of Hoy, part of the Orkney archipelago in the north of Scotland, this red sandstone monolith has been separated from the land by the erosive powers of sea and wind."

The site is a climbing haven with those from all over coming to visit the Atlantic rock formation.

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