Scotland is one of the world’s top destinations for thrill seekers, according to a new adventure travel book.
The country’s mountains, views and festivals are praised in Lonely Planet’s 1,000 Ultimate Adventures, “making it one of the best destinations for active travellers and adrenaline junkies”.
Destinations and experiences in Scotland are included in 20 of the book’s 100 top 10 lists of activities.
The 96-mile West Highland Way, which takes walkers along the shores of Loch Lomond to the head of Glencoe and Fort William, is named as one of the world’s best treks with “killer views”.
The 7stanes trails make the Scottish Borders an international mountain biking “mecca” the book says, while wreck diving in the Orkney Islands is included in a list of the top treasure-hunting trips.
Scotland’s 282 Munros are named among the world’s 10 best mountain quests, and ice climbing on the country’s peaks as one of the most dangerous adventures.
The Fort William to Mallaig Jacobite railway line, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct, makes the list of the world’s ultimate train rides and Corryvreckan Whirlpool in Argyll is one of the wildest swims.
The Speyside Way is among the top “most spirited” hiking and biking destinations, Fort William Mountain Festival is included in the best adventure festival list and the Loch Ness marathon is named one of the most “mind blowing marathons”.
The book also lists the Hebridean Challenge as one of the globe’s best races, the Chemin de Fer route on Dumbarton Rock as a top urban climbing adventure and Barra and the Orkney Islands flights as among the wildest in the world.