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Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Hike to iconic Scottish mountain ranked best UK walk for allergy sufferers
Check out the top Scottish walks for hay fever sufferers this summer ranked best to worst New research has ranked the top UK walking routes for hay fever sufferers, revealing which scenic spots are most likely to leave you sneezing, and which could provide welcome relief. The study, conducted by natural skincare specialists Wild & Wood, assessed popular walking routes across the country using environmental factors known to impact hay fever, Scottish Daily Express reported. The research is based on ITV's top 100 UK walks, a list compiled in 2018 by the Ordnance Survey and The Ramblers from a survey of thousands of walkers, and featured in a special programme hosted by Julia Bradbury. Twelve Scottish trails made the list, with each one scored against five key factors: Altitude: Higher ground typically has fewer airborne allergens Coastal wind exposure: Sea breezes help disperse pollen Vegetation levels: Denser plant life means more pollen Woodland density: Trees can trap allergens Animal and insect activity: Livestock and wildlife can stir up pollen Each trail received a score from 1 to 5 for each category, with 5 being the most hay fever-friendly and 1 indicating a high-risk route. An average score was then used to rank the walks overall. At the top of the hay fever-friendly list are two of Scotland's most iconic peaks, Ben Macdui and Ben Nevis. Both scored an impressive 4.8 out of 5, thanks to their exposed, high-altitude locations with minimal vegetation and low allergen levels. Close behind is Stac Pollaidh, known for its rugged ridgeline and strong winds, which earned a 4.6. Also ranking highly is the Silver Sands of Morar (4.2), a picturesque beach trail where coastal winds help keep pollen levels low. Other Scottish walks that scored well include the Fife Coastal Path (4.0), offering refreshing sea breezes, and The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye (3.2), which is more open but still has some vegetation. Urban-adjacent routes like Arthur's Seat (3.0) and the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies (3.2) also made the list, with moderate hay fever exposure due to landscaped and grassy areas. Meanwhile, long-distance routes like the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way scored slightly lower at 3.0 and 2.6 respectively, as they pass through moorlands and wooded stretches with potential for moderate pollen exposure. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. At the bottom of the list sits the Falls of Clyde walk, which received a hay fever score of 2.0 out of 5, making it the least allergy-friendly trail in Scotland. The route is densely wooded and rich in plant life, contributing to its high pollen potential. Here's a breakdown of the full scores for Scotland's 12 featured walks: Ben Macdui – 4.8 Ben Nevis – 4.8 Stac Pollaidh – 4.6 Silver Sands of Morar – 4.2 Fife Coastal Path – 4.0 Falkirk Wheel & The Kelpies – 3.2 The Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye – 3.2 Arthur's Seat – 3.0 West Highland Way – 3.0 Pitlochry to Blair Atholl – 2.8 Great Glen Way – 2.6 Falls of Clyde – 2.0
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Scotsman
Jeff Brazier teams up with The Ramblers to help decide if Scotland could be home to Britain's Favourite Path in 2025?
Following the success of last year's popular path competition, The Ramblers, Britain's walking charity, in partnership with Cotswold Outdoor, is inviting the public to take part in the search for Britain's Favourite Path 2025. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Launching on 1 May to coincide with National Walking Month, the competition encourages people across England, Scotland, and Wales to share a photo of their favourite path for a chance to have their chosen path crowned as the nation's favourite. This year, passionate walker and celebrity judge Jeff Brazier will be helping to select winning paths from across Britain. Once again, the public will be able to vote for the overall winner. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jeff Brazier has said: "It's a privilege to be on the judging panel to find Britain's Favourite Path. Walking means a lot to me physically, mentally and emotionally. It's such an asset to have a good knowledge of the best walkways on our doorstep and further afield, so many of those that will be nominated will serve as great inspiration for those who find freedom in great outdoor spaces. To walk is not just to exercise and breathe fresh air, it's the peace and clarity that comes from walking in nature, so a good path won't just be aesthetically pleasing, it'll be a healer too.' The 2024 winning path The winner of the 2025 competition will follow in the footsteps of last year's victor, the Thursley Common boardwalk in Surrey, which was nominated by Michelle Presley, who grew up walking in the area. In 2024, over 600 paths were nominated from across the UK, with eight shortlisted by a panel of judges before being opened up to the public for voting. Britain's paths are more than just walking routes; they are a national treasure that connect us to nature, foster adventure, and hold a special place in our hearts. The Ramblers is dedicated to celebrating paths and the unique stories behind them, whether they are criss-crossing the countryside, weaving through bustling cities, or are hidden gems right on your doorstep. This summer, it's time for them to have their moment in the spotlight. To enter, visit to submit a photo of your favourite path, along with the story behind it. This is your chance to shine a light on the paths that mean the most to you and inspire others to explore them as well. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The competition opens on Thursday 1 May. Once all entries are received, a panel of expert judges, including Jeff Brazier, will select eight winners, one from each category. These will then be put to a public vote in July to determine the overall favourite.
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Scotsman
Jeff Brazier teams up with The Ramblers to help decide if Edinburgh could be home to Britain's Favourite Path in 2025?
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Following the success of last year's popular path competition, The Ramblers, Britain's walking charity, in partnership with Cotswold Outdoor, is inviting the public to take part in the search for Britain's Favourite Path 2025. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Launching on May 1 to coincide with National Walking Month, the competition encourages people across England, Scotland, and Wales to share a photo of their favourite path for a chance to have their chosen path crowned as the nation's favourite. This year, passionate walker and celebrity judge Jeff Brazier will be helping to select winning paths from across Britain. Once again, the public will be able to vote for the overall winner. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jeff Brazier has said: "It's a privilege to be on the judging panel to find Britain's Favourite Path. Walking means a lot to me physically, mentally and emotionally. It's such an asset to have a good knowledge of the best walkways on our doorstep and further afield, so many of those that will be nominated will serve as great inspiration for those who find freedom in great outdoor spaces. 2024 winning path "To walk is not just to exercise and breathe fresh air, it's the peace and clarity that comes from walking in nature, so a good path won't just be aesthetically pleasing, it'll be a healer too.' The winner of the 2025 competition will follow in the footsteps of last year's victor, the Thursley Common boardwalk in Surrey, which was nominated by Michelle Presley, who grew up walking in the area. In 2024, over 600 paths were nominated from across the UK, with eight shortlisted by a panel of judges before being opened up to the public for voting. Britain's paths are more than just walking routes; they are a national treasure that connect us to nature, foster adventure, and hold a special place in our hearts. The Ramblers is dedicated to celebrating paths and the unique stories behind them, whether they are criss-crossing the countryside, weaving through bustling cities, or are hidden gems right on your doorstep. This summer, it's time for them to have their moment in the spotlight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To enter, visit to submit a photo of your favourite path, along with the story behind it. This is your chance to shine a light on the paths that mean the most to you and inspire others to explore them as well. Jeff Brazier Teams Up with The Ramblers to help decide if Edinburgh could be home to Britain's Favourite Path in 2025? The competition opens on Thursday, May 1. Once all entries are received, a panel of expert judges, including Jeff Brazier, will select eight winners, one from each category. These will then be put to a public vote in July to determine the overall favourite. Alongside being crowned Britain's Favourite path, Cotswold Outdoor will provide the overall winner with a £200 voucher and each category winner will receive a £50 voucher.
