IT’S time to pack your wicker hamper ... this week is National Picnic Week, an initiative to encourage us to get together in the open air to share food, conversation and take in the surroundings.
Whether you favour a relaxed trip to a favourite local park or want to take a jaunt further afield, enjoy the sights of an immaculate garden or a rugged landscape, the settings for eating al fresco are numerous.
And remember, dressing for the weather in Scotland can actually mean packing the sunscreen and shades, not just the waterproofs and woolies (though if your favourite picnic spot has a bit of shelter nearby, so much the better!).
North Berwick Law
East Lothian
If you like to build up to your picnic with a bit of a hike, why not try Berwick Law, which offers panoramic views of Edinburgh, East Lothian and beyond?
On a clear day, to the north you can see the Isle of May and Fife, there’s Tantallon Castle to the east and the Lammermuir Hills to the south.
Since 1709, a whale’s jawbone has sat at the top of the hill as a landmark to help guide sailors home safely.
A fibreglass replica of the bone, put in place in 2008, features on the summit as well as remnants of an Iron Age hill fort and lookout posts used in the Napoleonic Wars and the Second World War.
Duthie Park
Aberdeen
Gifted to the city in 1880 by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie for the “wellbeing and recreation of Aberdeen inhabitants”, the 44-acre Duthie Park is a delight to visit whether rain or shine.
With features such as its restored Victorian bandstand, there are plenty of picturesque spots for outdoor dining, as well as a turfed area for ball games and play areas for both younger and more adventurous children.
There are refreshments at the popular Park Cafe, and a visit inside is a must for at least part of your visit, to see the beautifully tended David Welch Winter Gardens, one of the most visited public indoor plant collections in the country.
Lunan Bay
Angus
This picture-perfect beach is worth the price of a little sand in the sandwiches.
The area is overlooked by the ruin of Red Castle, originally built for King William of Scotland to defend against Viking invaders.
Dividing the beach in two is the Lunan Water, which still features the remains of tank traps from the Second World War. There’s a free car park and cafe at the access point to the bay.
Find it by following the signs through Lunan, on the back road between Arbroath and Montrose.
Loch an Eilein
Aviemore
Voted Britain’s Best Picnic Spot in 2010, Loch an Eilein (loch of the island) is a feast for the eyes, offering unspoilt views across the Cairngorms, abundant wildlife and acres of woodland.
The loch itself is a beautifully glassy body of water which reflects the pines of the nearby Rothiemurchus Forest.
The island has a ruined castle, said to have been the property of Alexander Stewart, the third surviving son of King Robert I. Known as the Wolf of Badenoch, he burned Elgin Cathedral in 1390.
Auchinstarry Marina
Kilsyth, Glasgow
The pretty, 50-berth marina just 20 minutes from the city centre is a great spot for enjoying the comings and goings of the local boating community and their colourful barges.
With a car park, bike hire and public amenities, it’s an ideal base for walks along the canal, with parts of the Antonine Wall and the nature reserve at Dumbreck Marsh nearby.
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