Jean Johansson backs new ‘Take the Slow Road’ campaign

HES has created three new, multi-day route maps designed to help visitors enrich their travel experience by discovering the beauty of Scotland’s heritage, including taking in some well-known and lesser-known historic sites, travelling by public transport, and spending more time in the communities they visit.    

‘Take The Slow Road’ invites people to explore the legacy of the Lowlands, discover 5,000 years of Islands history, and travel to the heritage gems of the Northeast Coast by taking their time across the carefully curated routes that connect Historic Scotland sites by bus, rail and bike.   

Each of the three routes spans four days, giving visitors the chance to experience a wealth of Scotland’s history in one trip. These include: 

• Lowlands: Dumfries - Biggar - Peebles - Melrose - Galashiels - Tweedbank  
• Coastal: St Andrews - Arbroath - Fraserburgh - Banff - Huntly - Elgin  
• Islands: Isle of Lewis - Isle of Harris  

Responsible tourism is at the heart of this new campaign, highlighting how slower journeys can create a richer, more meaningful experience while supporting local economies and reducing pressure on the historic places that help make Scotland unique.  

Angela Giancola, Responsible Tourism Coordinator at Historic Environment Scotland, said: 

“Scotland’s historic places belong to all of us, and they face real pressures from the impact of a changing climate, increased visitor footfall, and the passage of time. Responsible tourism is about recognising the impact we can have on our shared heritage and choosing to make that impact a positive one.  

“By taking the slow road - travelling thoughtfully and spending more time in local communities - visitors can help protect the heritage, and support the people and places, that make Scotland so special.”  

TV Presenter Jean Johansson said: 

“Some of my favourite trips in Scotland have been the ones where I’ve taken my time, explored somewhere new and properly soaked up the atmosphere. I joined Historic Environment Scotland on its Lowland route - exploring Caerlaverock Castle, guided by locals who helped bring the history to life.   

“By taking our time at these incredible sites, we can create trips that are more fulfilling and have a real benefit for local communities. These new routes are perfect for building a trip that feels relaxed, rewarding and shine a light on brilliant places and people you might otherwise bypass. Forget the high road, this is your chance to ‘Take the Slow Road’.”  

To help inspire visitors to plan travel to both iconic and lesser-known heritage sites without relying on a car  HES has mapped out Slow Road itineraries on Google Maps for the Lowlands, Coastal and Island routes. Visitors can experience more of Scotland’s rich heritage for less through HES Memberships and Explorer Passes, helping them make the most of your trip when taking the Slow Road.   

Find out more about Historic Scotland sites and build a Slow Road itinerary.  

Take the Slow Road routes

The Take the Slow Road itineraries are intended as suggested routes using sustainable transport to link Historic Scotland and other heritage sites. Transport timetables, service availability and site opening hours may vary and should be checked before travel.  

Coastal  

Day 1 - St Andrews  

Visitors arrive in St Andrews via train and bus and start with a wander along South Street. View West Port of St Andrews and Blackfriars Chapel before arriving at St Andrews Cathedral. The Museum is currently closed but visitors can explore the grounds of one of Scotland’s largest and most magnificent medieval churches. Explore the cliffside-site of the earliest collegiate church in Scotland, St Mary's Church, before walking along to St Andrews Castle. Visitors can complete their day by exploring St Andrew’s thriving town centre, the famous Old Course and West Sands beach. Overnight in St Andrews.  

Day 2 - Arbroath and Aberdeen  

A bus to Leuchars station then a train to Arbroath and a short walk takes visitors to the medieval Arbroath Abbey to learn about the Declaration of Arbroath and see a replica  of the Stone of Destiny. Walking back to Arbroath station to take a train to Aberdeen, a short bus journey takes visitors to St Machar's Cathedral Transepts. They can then explore the city’s local communities including Aberdeen’s Old Town or the city centre with sites including the Maritime Museum and Art Gallery. Overnight in Aberdeen.  

Day 3 - Fraserburgh and Banff  

Travelling further north along the Aberdeenshire coastline, visitors take two buses to reach Fraserburgh and then walk to reach Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse and the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. Via a short walk and bus, visitors can visit Duff House (part of Good Journey - Historic Scotland’s discount offer for travelling car-free) where they can unpick the tale of two Williams - William Duff, owner of Duff House, and William Adam, its architect - and find out about their feud. As an addition, visitors can head along to the small coastal town of Macduff, exploring Macduff Marine Aquarium and the Royal Tarlair Golf Club. Overnight in Banff.  

Day 4 - Huntly and Elgin  

For the final day, visitors head inland to rural Aberdeenshire by bus. Arriving in Huntly, it is a short walk to Huntly Castle, the seat of one of Renaissance Scotland’s most powerful families. With the opportunity to explore the local community including the River Deveron and Nordic and Outdoor Centre, the route goes further north with a train journey to Elgin. Visit Elgin Cathedral, known as ‘The Lantern of the North’, or a short bus will take visitors out to one of the most mysterious sites in the country, Burghead Well.

Islands  

Day 1 - Calanais, Isle of Lewis  

Visitors start at Ullapool taking the ferry over to Stornoway before travelling by bus to the first of many incredible historic sites, the Calanais Standing Stones. Thanks to a Scottish Government pilot, bus passengers in the Western Isles will benefit from the newly introduced £2 fare cap. Taking time to explorer the extraordinary cross-shaped setting of stones erected 5,000 years ago, visitors can walk among the megaliths at one of Scotland’s most magnificent and best-preserved Neolithic monuments. In the coming months, the Visitor Centre will reopen following major redevelopment. Explore the local community and stay overnight in Calanais.   

Day 2 - Carloway and Arnol, Isle of Lewis  

A bus journey takes visitors to the unique ruins of Dun Carloway, spotting Sgeir nan Gall on the way. Visitors can then explore the breathtaking peninsula of Loch an Dunain on foot. Building on this day and hopping back on the bus, explorers arrive at Arnol where they can gain a unique insight into island life in the Blackhouse at Arnol, where entry is 25% off when travelling car-free. A mile-long walk takes them to the beautiful Arnol beach, before travelling to Lower Barvas for another overnight stay.   

Day 3 - Eoropie and Shader, Isle of Lewis and Tarbert, Isle of Harris  

Taking visitors to the northernmost tip of the Island, hop on the bus to the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, engineered by David Stevenson in 1862 and once mentioned in the Guinness World Book of Records as the windiest point in the UK. Another bus trip takes them to the curious prehistoric enclosure that is Steinacleit that lay buried under a metre of peat for thousands of years. Travelling back to Stornoway by bus, visitors can enjoy an overnight stay in the town.   

Day 4 - Rodel and Tarbert, isle of Harris  

Travel by bus to Tarbert then take another bus to the isolated medieval St Clement’s Church, a stone’s throw away from the sea. Embracing all the coast has to offer, visitors can take another bus to explore the vast white sands of Luskentyre beach. They can then round off their journey by travelling back on the bus to Tarbert and staying a final night in the picturesque community.    

Lowlands

Day 1 - Dumfries & New Abbey  

Visitors arrive in Dumfries and begin with a short walk to Lincluden Collegiate Church, a site thought to be built by one of the finest master masons in Scotland, John Morrow, which overlooks the River Nith. The route continues to the village of New Abbey, home to Sweetheart Abbey and over 750 years of history. Visitors can also pass by the 18th-century New Abbey Corn Mill, and local highlights including a tearoom, village shop and Shambellie House gardens and creative workshops. Overnight in Dumfries.  

Day 2 - Caerlaverock  

A bus journey takes visitors to the spectacular medieval stronghold of Caerlaverock Castle, where visitors can learn all about its turbulent history as a castle caught up in border conflicts. There is the opportunity to then explore the wider Caerlaverock Estate, with the option to hire an ebike to travel to sites such as Wardlaw Hillfort and the village of Glencaple. On returning to Dumfries, the afternoon can be spent visiting the Dumfries Museum and Burns Statue. Overnight in Dumfries.  

Day 3 - Biggar & Peebles  

Travelling a little further north and east, visitors make a stop at Biggar for the Biggar Museum to take in 14,000 years of rural and small-town life. Jumping on the bus to Peebles, a short walk will take visitors to Cross Kirk, an ancient holy site associated with miracles and the grave of a saint. The day ends with a trip to The Great Polish Map of Scotland. Overnight in Peebles.  

Day 4 - Galashiels, Melrose and Dryburgh  

The final day begins with a bus into Galashiels to visit The Great Tapestry of Scotland, followed by a trip to Melrose Abbey, a place so beloved by Robert the Bruce that he chose it as the final resting place for his heart. As an addition, visitors can wander the gardens on either side of the Abbey and visiting the neighbouring Trimontium Museum. A riverside walk from Newton St Boswells leads visitors through Dryburgh village, across the Dryburgh Suspension Bridge and past the Temple of the Muses, before arriving at Dryburgh Abbey, a remarkably complete medieval ruin dating back to the 1700s to grasp the appeal of monastic life. The route finishes with onward travel from Tweedbank Rail Station.

About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)  

For further information, please contact:

Julia Woolman
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot