CAMBUS O'MAY, Aberdeenshire This woodland is accessible to all, with stunning views, shallow lochans, interpretative panels and of course picnic benches.
Natural paths twisting between Scots pines and the permanent orienteering course makes it a fantastic area for exploring Royal Deeside. A range of activities take place in the forest each year, including puppet shows, craft workshops and guided wal
ks. There are numerous walking trails and fantastic views of Lochnagar. The Cambus O' May suspension bridge, constructed in 1905, lies at a bend in the river Dee, the banks of which are ideal for picnics
VATERSAY, Outer Hebrides (by sea kayak) www.clearwaterpaddling.com
If you are looking for a picnic spot to yourself, why not visit one of the Outer Hebrides uninhabited islands and discover some undisturbed wildlife. As featured in VisitScotland's Perfect Day promotion (www.visitscotland.com/perfectday), you can take a sea kayak with Clear Water Paddling from Barra to Vatersay to discover your very own beautiful white sandy beach for an idyllic picnic. Paddle amongst colonies of seals, drift up close to an otter eating its catch, see eagles soaring overhead, and paddle past birds of all description. You might also see porpoise, dolphins and basking sharks.
MOUNT STUART, Isle of Bute www.mountstuart.com Picnic like the stars in the grounds of the spectacular Mount Stuart – setting for Stella McCartney's wedding and property of the current Marquis of Bute, who was a Grand Prix racing driver. The island is easy to access for a day trip or a longer holiday. Just 70 minutes from Glasgow Airport, it is a short sea journey from Largs in Ayrshire, where you can travel in style – or take the ferry straight from the train at Wemyss Bay. Mount Stuart is one of Britain's most spectacular historical properties - indeed the awe-inspiring interiors need to be seen to be fully appreciated. It is surrounded by 300 acres of gloriously maintained grounds and gardens, with beautiful woodland and shoreline walks, and of course some scenic picnic spots.
ROTHIEMURCHUS ESTATE, near Aviemore www.rothiemurchus.net
Surrounded by the spectacular Cairngorm Mountains with loads for the whole family to do, whether you like a quiet ramble through the beautiful forest or you are looking for something more exhilarating and energetic such as archery or quad biking. You can do as much or as little as you like, all you need is the time and energy to do it!
ARTHUR'S SEAT, Edinburgh Main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park and a remarkably wild piece of highland landscape in the city centre of Edinburgh. The hill rises to a height of 251m (823ft), providing excellent panoramic views. It is quite easy to climb and a popular walk, as is neighbouring Salisbury Crags.
TRAQUAIR HOUSE, Innerleithen, the Scottish Borders www.traquair.co.uk As well as being the home of the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland, Traquair has extensive grounds to explore that include a maze planted with 1,500 trees, a play ground of willow tunnels and a choice of woodland walks where you can discover some of the local wildlife. The grounds host a wide range of events throughout the year, including the famous Traquair Fair, the Medieval Fair and the Mighty Deer Stalker adventure race.
PICNIC IN A MOUNTAIN BOTHY, Perthshire www.highlandadventuresafaris.co.uk
Highland Adventure Safaris offer this amazing experience to take a 4x4 to picnic in a bothy at the top of the Ptarmigan Mountain Range in Perthshire. A great adventure, with magnificent mountains and jewel-like lochs, where you can see stunning wildlife and learn about local myths, legends and folklore. You could spot deer, eagles, mountain hare, ptarmigan, wheatears, meadow pippets and grouse.
OTTER POOL, Wood of Cree Nature Reserve, nr Newton Stewart www.walking.visitscotland.com/walks/southscotland/wood_of_cree A beautiful RSPB reserve of mixed woodland above the River Cree. Tumbling burns, moss-covered boulders, bluebells, primroses and wild garlic in season, with resident red deer, barn owls, pine martens and red squirrels and summer migrants like pied flycatchers and redstarts, Wood of Cree is the largest ancient woodland in southern Scotland.
TARBET, LOCH LOMOND Tarbet is a small village situated in the small neck of land that separates Loch Long from Loch Lomond. Its pier provides a popular boarding point for pleasure cruises that tour Loch Lomond, a service it has provided since Victorian times. The village is also on the West Highland railway line linking Glasgow and Mallaig and is well served by buses from Balloch at the foot of the loch. Day trippers can relax down near the pier in a large picnic area with a visitor centre and public toilets. Along with neighbouring Arrochar, Tarbet is a good base for exploring by bicycle or climbing and walking in the beautiful surrounding peaks of the Arrochar Alps.
BOTANIC GARDENS, GLASGOW The Botanics are internationally renowned for their impressive glass houses and extensive tropical and temperate plant collections from around the world. The Gardens boast exotic plants, an outstanding collection of orchids, enormous cacti, children's garden, picnic areas and attractive walks by the River Kelvin.
The Gardens often play host to concerts and arts and crafts events for all the family. In June you can have an evening picnic and watch the fantastic performances during Bard in the Botanics, Scotland's only festival of Shakespeare.
• Why not vote in Warburtons and VisitScotland's annual competition to find the country's top picnic location? To celebrate the Great British picnic and the UK's love of loaves Warburtons will host the second annual awards in the build up to National Bread Week (5-11 May). The ten spots listed above will battle it out in the Scottish heat to represent Scotland in the UK final. The winning area will receive a £1,000 cash bursary and a plaque to ensure all visitors know it is the UK's favourite place to picnic. Each regional winner will receive a picnic bench embossed with a plaque that celebrates the achievement. To support your favourite picnic spot, and to be in with a chance of winning a family picnic in Central Park, New York, log onto www.welovebread.co.uk and register your vote. The closing date for the regional round is Friday, 16 May.
• For more information on holidaying in Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com/perfectday
The full article contains 1070 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
