Not everyone loves winter, but there’s no denying that snow-topped hills, frosty fields and sparkling evergreen forests are stunning in their austere chilliness. Here’s a few of our favourite wintery scenes for you to enjoy from the warmth and comfort of home:

Loch Dunmore

Our walk around Loch Dunmore last year was a favourite snowy experience — especially since it was the soft, fluffy kind that falls silently out of a leaden sky and comes to rest gently on the ground and trees. This is the sort of snow that turns everything into a winter wonderland and is peaceful besides.

The walk itself turned out to be just long enough to savour the experience, but not so long that we were unbearably chilled or wet by the time we had completed the circuit. The other major advantage of choosing Loch Dunmore for a snowy walk is its proximity to Pitlochry, with its host of cafes available to provide a warming coffee and cheery buzz.

Ben Lawers

Ben Lawers dominates the landscape around Loch Tay and is truly stunning in all weathers. Thearea is known for rare arctic-alpine plants—it has over 600 different types of lichen and 13 of its flowering plants and ferns are classified as nationally rare, including bristle sedge, of which Lawers is the only known British site.

The trip that resulted in this photo was quite different to previous ones we’d done, with the white of the snowy tops blending into the light grey of the sky, contrasting beautifully with the old-gold colour of the grass and the copper tones of the bracken on the lower slopes.

Loch Rannoch

A drive around Loch Rannoch and down to Rannoch Station never disappoints, although be aware that the tearoom is not open in the winter months. The scenery makes it worth going at any time of year though. As you go, look out for the small dam, and also the ‘frog stone’. (You’ll know it when you see it.) A bit further along is a small loch, most notable for the stunning backdrop of the Glencoe hills behind.

A truly special place, in the winter Rannoch Station often seems enveloped in a rare and total silence—unless a train comes rattling by! Everyone should go at least once.

Kenmore

Kenmore is a picturesque village at the eastern end of Loch Tay. Looking down the loch from the beach is always a favourite view, especially with the added interest of several small islands off the shore, but it also looks different each time. When Ben Lawers and the surrounding hills are covered in snow it’s an especial visual treat.

The beach at Kenmore is always good for a winter stroll, and the village shop has recently reopened and would repay a visit. While in the village, another point of interest is the church. Built in 1760, the plans were commissioned by the Earl of Breadalbane, who paid architect William Baker 6 guineas for them. It is noted for its stained glass windows.

Fortingall

The most famous thing about Fortingall is probably its yew tree, said to be one of the oldest trees in Europe, and the oldest in the UK. No one is certain of its exact age though, which could be anything between 2000-3000 years old—or more. 5000 years old has also been raised as a possibility!

But, as remarkable and well worth seeing as the yew is, it would be a shame to only look at that and not spend a little extra time taking in some of the other features of this fascinating village. With a dusting of light snow, the quirky cottages look especially cosy and charming.