Walking in a Christmas wonderland

All too many head to Rosslyn Chapel only seeking to find Tom Hanks and some hint of Merovingian history. However, the glen it sits by is so lush, even in winter, that it reminds me how nature, the inspiration for so many of the chapel's carvings, is a thing of wonder in itself.

Families may find the half-hour stroll from the Roslin Country Park car park is enough to work up a thrill, particularly if they have small knights whose idea of fun is to explore castles. For grown-up adventurers, the longer hike, from this site, leading far along the river, past Wallace's Cave and Hawthornden Castle, then back through Polton village, is a treat. Walked in this direction, the glen reveals itself in such a way, first presenting the old castle with its ruined 14th-century keep, then Rosslyn Chapel, as to seem like a dream. The only thing to break the spell is the visitor centre tacked onto the side of the chapel. Like all such buildings it makes the place seem less of this world, and more of the realm of tourism, but it does have a cafe.

It is not, however, the buildings that are this walk's charm, but also the curving, twisted rockfaces that frame the river. These are best seen, up close, by taking the path alongside the water, but be warned, it is perilous. You are better taking a higher path if you are not up for the challenge. At points the path seems to peter out and leave walkers clinging to the rocks.

(Chapel closed Dec 24, 25 and 31, and Jan 1) Vicky Allan

Brodick promenade to Brodick castle and gardens

Duration: Roughly three hours.

Turn right out of the ferry terminal and follow the main road along the seafront. As you leave the village, Goatfell comes into sharp focus and the road turns sharply to the right.

Take the left up the String road (B880) and stick to the right hand side. Just as your calves begin to twitch with the incline, take the single-track road on the right signposted Glen Rosa.

This lane winds its way for a mile or so, past whitewashed cottages set amid rolling hills. Continue past the campsite and through the deer gate where Tarmac gives way to a rough path which winds across the glen, skirted on the right hand side by a river.

Veer right from the main path and head for the bridge, stopping to appreciate the view of Cir Mhor. Follow the path as it turns back on itself and climbs the hillside on the far side of the river. It can be boggy underfoot.

Once you reach the edge of the forest, you can forge your own path through the trees. With tightly packed pines, little daylight reaches the ground which makes for a spooky, pine-scented atmosphere. At the far side of the forest, pick up the path as it veers up the hill and continues alongside a low wall.

This will eventually lead you to the imposing driveway of Brodick Castle. The gardens are open all year. To return, descend through the gardens to the island's main road (A841) and turn right towards Brodick. Continue along the road and keep your eyes peeled for a signposted path on the left which leads to the Isle of Arran Heritage Centre. It includes a brisk walk across the golf course and a pretty little bridge which is always a gathering point for bird life. The main promenade is a 20-minute walk along the main road.

Marisa Duffy

Scolty Hill, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

Duration: From 45 to 90 minutes

This is a walk that repays the effort whatever time of year you do it, but is enchanting in the frost and snow. Starting at the Forestry Commission car park, you make your way firstly down a forest track bordered on both sides by mature Scots pines. So Christmas card-perfect is it in the snow that you half expect to see Tilda Swinton in White Witch garb come crashing out of the forest on a sleigh. Before long, you strike upwards on a well-worn, steep rocky path, which allows you to climb quickly above the tree cover. From there, you have a clear path through the heather and ferns to General Burnett's monument at the top (the general fought with the Duke of Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars). The monument is a round tower you can climb via a spiral staircase and the roof, which is enclosed by a wire cage for safety, provides one of the best vantage points on Deeside. On a clear day, it's possible to see Aberdeen and the sea 25 miles to the east, Bennachie to the north and Clachnaben to the south.

There are regular buses to Banchory from Aberdeen and you can walk to the car park from the centre of Banchory in 20 minutes. The walk itself takes from 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on speed and which route you take up and down. A bracing way to clear the fug of central heating and over-indulgence.

Rebecca McQuillan

Dumfries House, near Auchinleck House, Ayrshire

Duration: Around 90 minutes

This isn't just a walk through what used to be, it's also a walk through what will be. When Prince Charles led the bid to buy Dumfries House in Ayrshire in 2007, he did so because of its remarkable collection of Chippendale furniture but it's the work that is being done around the estate that makes a walk here so interesting.

A good place to start is the Coach House Cafe near the car park. Head up past the house – stopping to gawp at the gigantic pines – and you will see the doocot. It was built in 1671 for the estate's white doves and has recently been renovated and brought back into use.

Further down the path is the sawmill, which is also being rebuilt, along with a new hospitality centre that will be used to train chefs. You can now see the elegant bridge, with its great pillars, which was designed by John Adam and was the first sight visitors would get of his architectural vision.

Cross the bridge and head through the woods near the burn and the circular path will take you to the edge of the estate. On a clear day, you will be able to see right across to the huge A-frame monument to four miners who were killed in a disaster at the Barony Colliery in 1962 .

If you follow the path round again, you will get a good view of the house sitting on the hill, all polished and shiny from the attention it's been getting since 2007. Stand and admire it for a while and then round things off with a cake at the coffee shop.

(Cafe closed from Dec 24-Jan 7)

Mark Smith