MY old art teacher used to say there are no straight lines in nature. At the same time, one of the French teacher’s pet phrases was, “There are always the exceptions”. And when it comes to straight li

NEWCASTLE AND MARDU CIRCULAR Level Easy Elevation gain 217m Length 6.1km (1hr 49min) Description This round-the-hill loop trail from Newcastle leads through peaceful rural landscapes and small village

Bealach Fèith nan Laogh is perhaps the most far-flung destination in our UK Climbs series. Just getting to it is a test in itself. Tucked away on the banks of Loch Sunart in the west of Scotland, it r

Your cruising destinations, near and far

■ Distance: 8½ miles/13.6km ■ Time: 4½ hours ...

Dreaming of escape on Ireland’s far-flung islands, David Bradford finds the reality of remoteness not quite as simple as it seems