We’re heading to Scotland in this episode of Travel Smart Weekly, to explore how to spend summer in a land of beautiful landscapes, wonderful coastline, exceptional food and drink, and fun cultural hubs.Simon Calder and Ben Parker explore the the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail, famous for its appearance in Harry Potter films, the Treshnish Isles and set sail to the Inner Hebrides.As well as exploring the stunning natural settings, Ben and Simon also take a look at the cultural and culinary delights in Glasgow and Edinburgh.Get all your travel updates with The Independent Travel section.
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00:00Welcome to Travel Smart Weekly, the new insiders travel guide from Independent TV.
00:06This is the series in which we share our opinions and advice on the best destinations to visit,
00:12plus how to make the most of your trips worldwide.
00:17In this episode, we're heading to Scotland to explore how to spend summer in a country of beautiful landscapes,
00:23wonderful coastline, exceptional food and drink, and fun cultural hubs.
00:30Making the most of the warmer temperatures and brighter skies of July and August comes easy,
00:41with gloriously long days bringing Scotland's great outdoors to the fore.
00:47With landscapes varying from dramatic mountains and open countryside to the corrugated coastline,
00:55it's easy to see why hiking, biking and kayaking are among the top attractions.
01:06If you're keen to explore on foot, you'll find a wealth of routes in the Highlands.
01:11You might not know the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail, but you'll recognise one of its highlights,
01:17the spectacular viaduct that saw the Hogwarts Express steaming across it in the Harry Potter films.
01:25Along the two-and-a-half-mile way, you can soak up the views of Loch Shield,
01:30which hopefully will be glistening in the sunlight.
01:34For something a little trickier in the Highlands, set up from Glen Afrik,
01:37one of the country's most beautiful glens, to reach two waterfalls.
01:42Over the sometimes uneven and steep slopes, there's Dog Falls within the National Nature Reserve,
01:47a large patch of woods, locks and moorland, and a haven for birdwatching.
01:52There's also Plodder Falls on the southern side of the glen,
01:55where the water tumbles straight down more than 150 feet,
01:59the tallest waterfall in the area and still regarded as something of a hidden treasure.
02:04And of course, if heading upwards ticks your holiday box,
02:07there's Ben Nevis to climb, the highest mountain in the British Isles.
02:11It's a challenging landscape to summit, one that requires a decent level of fitness and appropriate clothing,
02:16but the rewards for reaching the top are well worth it.
02:20Away from the mainland, a brilliant way to experience Scotland during the summer
02:24is by heading out to its islands.
02:27Oban and Kenickraig are the main departure points to set sail to the Inner Hebrides.
02:32One popular choice is the southernmost island, Islay,
02:35where you can pack days with distillery visits to sample the local whisky,
02:39kick back on unspoilt beaches, or get out on the water in a kayak.
02:44Further west, on a bright day the waters around Guia are more reminiscent of the Caribbean than Scotland,
02:49deep blue from a distance and crystal clear as you paddle through.
02:53This small island, home to less than 200 people, is just 20 minutes from the Kintyre Peninsula.
02:59For the freshest seafood caught only metres from the kitchen,
03:02make an al fresco stop for lunch at the Boathouse.
03:06If puffin spotting is on your Hebridean agenda, the best months are May, June and July.
03:13Boat trips can take you to the Treshnish Isles, a string of eight uninhabited islands,
03:20where you can see the colourful beaks of these beautiful birds up close.
03:25For a country of its size, Scotland has an absurd amount of coastline,
03:31and along it hundreds of beautiful beaches, some of the best in the world,
03:37with turquoise waters lapping pure white sand.
03:42Some pretty good surfing as well.
03:49Yellow Crate Beach on the North Sea is said to have influenced Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island
03:55and makes for a day lying on the shore or discovering rock pools.
04:00On the North West Coast, Sandwood Bay remains one of the wild stretches of beach
04:06where the sand is tinged pink and you'll find rolling dunes.
04:11My pick for the best surf beach in Scotland goes to Tyree, the most westerly of the Inner Hebrides.
04:19For most of the year it picks up swell from the Atlantic,
04:24creating power breaks near the beach and peeling waves for longboarders.
04:35Scotland also provides great options for summer in the city.
04:39The big hitters include Glasgow, where there are parks in the East and the West that are perfect for picnics.
04:44There are music festivals throughout the summer and there's plenty of art.
04:48On a clear day, follow the incredible city centre mural trail for street art.
04:54If it's wet, you can hide away in Kelvin Grove Art Gallery and Museum,
04:58which is free to enter and holds some impressive work,
05:01such as Salvador Dali's Christ of Saint John of the Cross and others by Rembrandt and Monet.
05:07If you're after a bite to eat, head to the city's West End.
05:11The food scene has grown into something truly impressive in recent years.
05:15Whether you're after Korean-style fast food or authentic Glaswegian meals,
05:20vegan bites in a lively bar or eclectic sharing plates, there's something to satisfy every appetite.
05:29That's all from this episode of Travel Smart Weekly, but the next one will be along soon.
05:34You can watch it at independent.co.uk forward slash travel on the independent mobile app or on your smart TV.
05:43And for all the latest travel news, reviews and advice,
05:46be sure to check out independent.co.uk forward slash travel and Simon Calder's daily podcast.