Getting outside on Valentine’s Day will do you - and your loved one - the world of good.
Whether you go all out on Valentine’s Day with a full hearts and flowers approach or prefer something more low-key, we think it’s the perfect time to show a little love for the great outdoors. We’ve put together a list of Valentine’s Day ideas that will get you and your loved one outside, exploring and making memories.
Valentine’s Day outdoor activities
If you are looking for a new Idea of what to do for Valentine’s Day, consider visiting an atmospheric World Heritage Site. There are 32 World Heritage Sites in the UK, with six of these in Scotland. The National Trust for Scotland protects and cares for these unique spaces. From the archipelago of St Kilda, the remotest part of the British Isles and the UK’s only dual World Heritage Site, to The Forth Bridge, the spectacular cantilever railway bridge just nine miles from Edinburgh, there are magical places to discover. You’ll find all you need to plan a trip on The National Trust Scotland website.
The wonder of walking
Walking in nature is quite simply life-affirming. Not only do you get to enjoy the sights and sounds of the world around you, but there are no distractions or interruptions; no phones, computers, schedules or demands - your time is yours, which can be very special indeed.
Particularly scenic routes include the 2.5 mile Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail, with views of Loch Shiel; Glen Coe offers breath-taking scenery and stunning atmosphere, with walks of varying degrees of difficulty; or dip into the pretty Fife Coastal Path, which runs 117 miles from Kincardine to Newburgh on the banks of the River Tay. Our previous blog posts include hiking trail inspiration
Romantic walks for Valentine’s Day
Dramatic cliffs and a glorious coastal walk, St Abb’s Head is an inspirational location; famous for the opening scenes of the film Chariots of Fire, the West Sands beach at St Andrews is a beautiful place to walk; The Hermitage, Dunkeld has Douglas firs that are amongst the tallest trees in Britain; Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, Dumfries & Galloway, offers a perfect escape; Dollar Glen in Clackmannanshire has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is a wonderful, get-away-from-it-all sanctuary.
The Ramblers features an inspirational guide to favourite Scottish walks, including mountain, city and coastal locations. The website offers walk descriptions and maps. You can find Scottish recommendations from Britain’s Favourite Walks.
On yer bike
The joy of cycling is just that – a joy. And sharing it with someone you love is a wonderful way to spend a day together. We always recommend coffee and cake after pretty much any cycle, so be sure to consider a café stop along the way.
Sustrans is a great resource for those looking to expand their outdoor horizons. You can find a suitable route on the National Cycle Network by checking region and distance on the Sustrans website. VisitScotland is another useful resource; Devilla Forest in Alloa to the Ayrshire Coast Cycle Way, Aberdeenshire’s Buchan Way, and the Scottish Borders’ famous abbeys – Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh – are among some of the most attractive cycle routes recommended.
Whether you dream of open-water swimming in a beautiful stretch of river among woods of Scots pine, such as Dog Falls, a deep forested canyon swim at Plodda Falls, or make like Rob Roy MacGregor and enjoy a dip in Rob Roy’s Bathtub in the beautiful Glen Falloch Falls, Scotland has a wealth of memory-making outdoor swimming locations. The Wild Swimming website is a fantastic resource on where, why and how to make the most of Scotland - and the rest of the UK’s - stunning outdoor swimming spots.
Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget your FINDRA layers! From super-soft base layers to our Stroma Waterproof Jacket, we’ve got you covered.
Eco Valentine’s gifts
We have a fantastic selection of sustainable, eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the outdoors lover in your life. Whether hiking, biking, swimming, camping or just enjoying being outdoors on a chilly day, we’ve got a unique gift that will warm the heart - and body - of the one you love.
Betty Merino Neck Warmer
Once you’ve tried one of our super-soft, lightweight, merino wool neck warmers, we reckon you’ll never want to live without one ever again. Easy to wear, pack and carry, our natural-fibre neck warmers keep you cosy, comfy and stylish. We recommend the Garnet colourway for Valentine’s but there are plenty of options to choose from.
Betty Merino Headband
A cold-weather winner, particularly good for those days where you don’t need - or want - to wear a hat, our lightweight, breathable headband is perfect for keeping ears cosy on walks and runs, and fits easily under a bike helmet. Garnet and navy for Valentine’s traditionalists.
Skye Herringbone Socks
Our merino socks are perfect Valentine’s gifts for him and her, and are ideal for keeping feet warm and cosy on any outdoor activity. Choose from a range of colours - it doesn’t have to be Coral and Charcoal.
Bobble Hat
Fabulous for outdoor dips, trips and mountain tops, our Cable Knit Bobble Hat has an internal fleece liner to keep ears cosy. Available in several colours as well as the very Valentine’sy Inferno.
Coorie Hot Water Bottle Cover
Who wouldn’t want to ‘coorie’ in with our wonderfully warming lambswool hot water bottle cover? With a fab wool pouch on the front, this is perfect for warming hands after an open-water swim, this is a gorgeous gift at any time of the year.
Solid Cologne
New to our website, these wonderful little tins of scent are perfect for days outdoors. Inspired by Scottish landscape and history, they are plastic-free and made from natural beeswax, shea butter and almond oil. Seven glorious scents to choose from - a perfect outdoors lovers gift for him and her.
Outdoor & Lifestyle Books
We continue to expand our selection of favourite inspirational books. Have a browse - we’re sure you’ll find something for the one you love – or at the very least. Something that catches your eye. We are totally on board with gift buying for ourselves!
