Our country is home to many natural wonders, which include the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), a city built on seven hills (Edinburgh) and the spectacular Fingal’s Cave, on Staffa.
To celebrate these natural delights, throughout Homecoming Scotland 2014 there are hundreds of festivals and events taking place across the country which are perfect for getting visitors exploring Scotland’s great outdoors.
Whether swimming with basking sharks, birdwatching on the Dumfries and Galloway coast or walking the John Muir Way, there are plenty of events at which brilliant moments will be made.
Here are VisitScotland’s top picks of events celebrating the natural world taking place throughout this year.
John Muir Way and Festival
The way opens on April 21 and the festival runs from April 17-26
The John Muir Way is a new 134-mile national pathway that stretches coast-to-coast from Dunbar to Helensburgh. It marks the life of John Muir – the “father of America’s National Parks” – one of Scotland’s most famous and influential conservationists and naturalists.
At the age of 11, he emigrated from Dunbar with his family to the US, where he would later establish the world’s first national park system. The John Muir Way takes in some of Scotland’s best walking paths and landscapes and is within walking distance of many major towns.
Two of the highlights to be discovered along the trail are the Helix and the Kelpies.
The Helix is a new park with a lagoon, café, play area and large lawn. A shingle beach surrounds the lagoon, which has a splash play area with water jets. Pathways around the Helix park are ideal for a stroll, cycling, running, skating and horse riding.
The pathways also lead you to the Kelpies, a large and exciting two-horse-head structure created by celebrated sculptor Andy Scott.
The John Muir Festival will feature events along the length of the new walking route, including a spectacular night-time visual art performance which will illuminate the Kelpies and a street ceilidh and fireworks festival on the shores of Loch Lomond. Many of the events will be free and un-ticketed, other events can be booked online at www.johnmuirfestival.com/tickets
Orkney Nature Festival
May 10-18, various locations on Orkney
Savour wonderful wildlife highlights including hills full of harriers, lochs abounding with trout, waders and wildfowl, and bays awash with seals and seabirds at this much-loved festival.
The festival will feature walks, talks, tours, demonstrations, concerts, markets, workshops and more during this celebration of Orkney’s diverse nature. Plus, as part of Homecoming Scotland 2014, Orkney Nature Festival presents a special series of events called Orkney Whisky’s Wild Side.
Orkney’s exceptional whiskies are rooted in the island’s heathery hills and pure lochs.
The events offer an experience that promises to be a festival highlight – toast the best wildlife and whisky that Scotland has to offer.
Some events are free and un-ticketed. For ticketed events, book online at www.orkneynaturefestival.org
Coll of the Sharks
August 21-26, Coll
Make your way to the island of Coll for this very snappy festival – the Coll of the Sharks.
The waters off Coll are home to basking sharks aplenty, as well as lots of other sea life and birds. Go scuba-diving or take a boat trip to see the sharks up close, or stay on land and take part in six days of activities celebrating the basking shark.
Plus, some events are free.
Contact: http://baskingsharkscotland.co.uk/coll-of-the-sharks-festival/
World Sheepdog Trials
September 3-6, Ross-shire
The World Sheepdog Trials will feature 240 competitors from 24 nations and is being staged in Scotland for the first time.
As well as the trials, there will be additional attractions including various indoor and outdoor arenas showcasing local crafts and trade products, children’s entertainment and a display of dogs, working ducks and dog agility.
There will also be ceilidh music, dance and demonstrations showing how farm work has changed over the last 100 years.
Tickets cost from £10pp; book online at www.worldsheepdogtrials.org
World Stone Skimming Championships
September 28, Easdale Island near Oban
Easdale was once famous for its slate quarrying and known as “the island that roofed the world”. Now it has an abundance of perfect skimming stones and the flooded quarry provides the perfect arena for the skimming championships.
The event is fun for all the family and entertainment at the pre-skim dance and on the day itself encourages everyone to get involved.
Visit www.stoneskimming.com
Shetland Wool Week
October 7-13, various locations in Shetland
A week-long festival dedicated to celebrating the wool of Britain’s most northerly native sheep, Shetland’s textile industries and rural farming communities.
Join knitting masterclasses in Fair Isle and Shetland Fine Lace, workshops in hand-spinning, weaving and felting, attended by hand-knit designers and textile artists from all over the world. A must for wool lovers.
Visit www.shetlandwoolweek.com
For more information on these and other Homecoming events visit www.visitscotland.com