10 great places to go walking in Scotland

Woolacombe Beach is where soft sand meets the wild Atlantic and is perfect for our pooches. It consists of a wide, three-mile long sandy stretch from Barricane Beach down to Baggy Point, but dogs are restricted in certain areas. Parts of it are surfing areas and some kiosks even offered boards and lessons for dogs, though I didn’t want to embarrass Bob and Bertrand – our lovely Beagles – by insisting they try. Other pet owners were not so bashful. There are lots of dog bins and the cafes have bowls of water for four-legged friends. The Barricane Beach cafe is run by animal lovers, has great coffee and great-value curry nights.Gayle

On a Saturday morning in the Lake District, perhaps at the base of a popular fell or along the shores of a placid lake, you might think you were at a countryside Crufts. The region’s footpaths are bustling with spaniels, labradors and golden retrievers – and the ubiquitous cockapoo, of course – all in procession, dragging their owners up hills or along forested trails, tongues out, tails wagging, noses poised to sniff the behind of anything they might pass.

The rugged landscapes of the Outer Hebrides, off Scotland’s west coast, may be sparsely populated, but there’s a deep human history here, from ancient stone circles to traditional Gaelic culture. These interconnected islands have shaped a distinct way of life, not just in the Harris Tweed and whisky distilleries that travellers encounter, but also in the daily routines of remote fishing communities. Spanning over 150 miles, this island chain is stitched together by causeway, bridge, road and boat, meaning visitors can pick their own method — car, bike, bus or ferry — to make the most of this extraordinary destination.

I thought the sun had blinked, but we had been caught in the shadow of a golden eagle passing low overhead. There were five of them over the hill, Cnoc Mhic-a-Phi, two of them tumbling out of the blue sky, lost in a playful, taloned dogfight.

Scotland sports such a strong selection of tourist attractions – from castles and cabers to kilts and whisky – it’s easy to forget that there is much more to this land. Venture away from the cities and you'll find rugged mountains, remote glens and mile-upon-mile of wave-lashed beaches. Ready to explore? Here are seven Scottish places that you've probably never heard of, but must visit.

Get up close to nature with our pick of the ten best wildlife sites across the UK, and let us know your own top British wildlife experiences below.

With lockdowns starting to gradually lift across Europe, travellers everywhere are looking to the future. The question on everyone’s lips: will I be able to take a summer holiday? The short answer is (probably) yes – though it might be sensible to set your sights on somewhere a bit closer to home. And it almost goes without saying that while you’re away you’ll still need to respect all government and local regulations.

Sleep beneath the twinkling Saharan stars, accompanied by a few irascible dromedaries. You can explore the desert as part of a tour (usually setting off from Marrakesh, and heading up and over the beautiful Atlas Mountains), and choose your level of comfort, from simple canvas tents to luxurious Berber pavilions, complete with soft beds, rugged floors and handcrafted furniture.

London, Edinburgh, Cardiff… These are the usual suspects when visitors are thinking about city breaks in the United Kingdom. But there are actually 66 other cities to be explored throughout this land, each with something different to offer. Here’s our pick of the 8 best alternative UK city breaks, covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In last week’s #RGchat, we asked our Twitter followers to tell us what ‘wild’ meant to them. We didn't expect to get such a beautiful response.

As the old cliché testifies, it's often the journey not the destination that's most rewarding. With that in mind, here's ten spectacular journeys around Britain.

From Hogmanay in Edinburgh to Bonfire Night in Lewes, Britain is home to a whole range of excellent festivals and events throughout the year. If you're planning a visit anytime soon we recommend you build you trip around one of these memorable parties.