Gillian and Jonathan Denovan are a husband and wife team who share their travels on their blog, Scotland Bucket List.
They moved back from rural France to bonnie Scotland last year and have been (re)discovering many spots in their new stomping ground in the Scottish Highlands.
We challenged them to pick three of their favourites.
Glen Affric
One of the highlights of 2023 was mountain biking around Loch Affric in the stunning Glen Affric nature reserve. This 18km circuit takes in part of the Affric Kintail long distance trail and if you have time for a detour, you can even stay in one of Scotland’s most remote youth hostels.
Glen Affric really is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the perfect place to embark on a walk as it offers trails for every skill level, from leisurely strolls along the loch to challenging hikes up the surrounding munros.
Our favourite spots are Dog Falls, Loch Bein a Mheadhoin and Plodda Falls, the dramatic cascades located on the west side of Glen. The area is dubbed as one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland. We can see why.
The Highland Larder
© Supplied by Scotland Bucket ListDornoch has always been a firm family favourite and a must-visit on any trip to the northern Highlands.
This seaside town was put on the map back in 2000 when Madonna and Guy Ritchie got their son, Rocco, baptised in the town’s cathedral. Famous for its Royal Dornoch Golf Course, sweeping, sandy beach, infamous witch trials, quirky shops and great foodie options, Dornoch is a great place to visit if you’re doing the North Coast 500 or visiting Sutherland.
Our foodie go-to is the Highland Larder, a unique food truck located down at the beach. They serve cullen skink, smoked mackerel paté, breaded haddock and chips, langoustines and venison rolls – all locally sourced. Our favourite has to be their breaded haddock wrap served with their homemade tartar sauce.
Findhorn
We have really enjoyed exploring and discovering the Moray Coast, the stretch of coastline in the north-east of Scotland. Unlike most of the Highlands, this area is much quieter, less frequented and definitely deserves to be put on the map.
There are so many pretty seaside towns including Cullen, Portsoy, Lossiemouth and our favourite, Findhorn. It is home to the renowned Findhorn Foundation EcoVillage, a global hub for spiritual exploration, sustainable living, and holistic education. The village itself is situated in Findhorn Bay, an idyllic location with a stunning beach, pretty colourful seaside huts, a cute harbour, great local food, restaurants, pubs and cafés.
A highlight for us was braving the icy waters and warming up in the Watershed Sauna after, a converted horse-box sauna situated next to the beach.
For more travel tips, follow Gillian and Jonathan at @scotlandsbucketlist on Instagram.
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