Mary Queen of Scots Way
A virtual coast-to-coast long-distance walk of 115 miles in Scotland visiting locations associated with the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: NN 298 049
Distance: 115 miles (184 km)
Time: 50–60 hours
Duration: 8–11 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL39 Loch Lomond North, Tyndrum, Crianlarich and Arrochar
OL46 The Trossachs
366 Stirling and Ochil Hills West
367 Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes South
369 Perth and Kinross
370 Glenrothes North, Falkirk and Lomond Hills
371 St Andrews and East Fife
Summary
The Mary Queen of Scots Way stretches across central Scotland from coast to coast, linking many places associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. It runs from near Succoth on Loch Long in the west to St Andrews on the Fife coast. The route links with the Cowal Way, the West Highland Way, the Rob Roy Way, and the Fife Coastal Path. It crosses part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park as well as the hills and lowlands of central Scotland, ending on the sandy beaches of the Fife coast.
The path passes mountains, lochs, waterfalls, castles, hill forts, and aqueducts, and is broken into manageable sections ending at welcoming villages and small towns with friendly pubs and B&Bs. The route goes beside and through the Arrochar Alps and the hills of Loch Lomond, past the Menteith Hills, along the length of the Ochils to the Lomond Hills of Fife. The trail climbs above 1,000 ft (300 m) several times, reaching its highest point at Cadger’s Yett, north of Glendevon, approximately 1,425 ft (435 m) above sea level. The entire route is substantially off-road. (Source: Long Distance Walkers Association)
Important Note: The walk includes a ferry crossing of Loch Lomond from Tarbet to Inversnaid Hotel. If planning to walk the Mary Queen of Scots Way, make sure the ferry is operating.