For the past few years, since I retired, we have been lucky enough to spend a month each Autumn in Scotland. Previous visits have been to islands such as Orkney and North Uist, where we have particularly loved walking along the beaches. This year however, we are by Rannoch loch, just south of the Cairngorms and miles from the sea. This part of Scotland is heavily wooded and most of my walks with Lulu have been on forestry tracks.
So which is better – a beach walk or a woodland one? I will give you five reasons for each.
Beach walks are better because:
- I spend half my year on Narrowboat Thuis travelling along flat canals, so I am not used to climbing hills. Beaches are flat.
- There is something magical about being the first person to leave footprints on the sand.
- Lulu can run around like a whirling dervish.
- Sunsets and sunrises across the sea are stunning.
- I love to see the power of the ocean when the waves are crashing but I can feel safe on the sand.
Woodland walks are better because:
- The trees shelter me from the biting cold wind.
- The views through the trees after a climb can be astonishing.
- You don’t get waterfalls on a beach.
- There is something magical about dappled light.
- The colours of the leaves in autumn are so beautiful.
There can be no winner. Instead I will relish what I love about them both. I love the solitude of a quiet walk, when I meet no one and just have the company of my dog and a podcast. I love the surprise of a walk when I come out from the trees or over a dune and a world of beauty opens up in front of me. I love the mindfulness of a walk, when I return to the car and just feel at one with the world.
Lucky me eh?
