Five map symbols to help you explore Scotland

We all know there are map symbols for rivers, maps symbols for forests and map symbols for the coast but did you know there are also some map symbols that are especially useful if you are travelling to Scotland?

You’ll see these on paper Ordnance Survey maps as well as on the OS Maps app.

The map symbols I’m going to describe today are from Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 scale maps. These give the right amount of detail for walking and navigation but don’t cover a huge area. You can also access 1:25,000 scale maps on the OS Maps app.

Which maps for driving in Scotland?

Note: If you’re driving around Scotland, I also recommend buying a set of OS green 1:250,000 scale maps (less detail but a much bigger area).

What do maps of Scotland look like?

Copyright Ordnance Survey 2024

I’ve probably lost weeks of my life looking at Scottish maps. They are fascinatingly full of contour lines and waterways and it can be great fun mapping out walking routes up Munros and through mountain passes.

Even if I’m never likely to walk those routes.

I find lochans particularly exciting. Like tarns in the Lake District, these smaller (not necessarily little) lochs are often found in glacial indentations on lonely hillsides. You can see Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe (the lake in the hill of the seat) on the map of Ben Nevis above. I have no strong desire to reach the summit of Ben Nevis.

But I would like to dip my toes in the ‘Halfway Lochan’.

Five useful Scottish map symbols

Whilst some of these map symbols are specific to Scotland, you’ll see others on maps of England and Wales too. I’ve chosen them for this map blog because I’ve spotted them while I’ve been exploring Scotland.

1. National Trust for Scotland

Copyright Ordnance Survey 2024

You would probably recognise the blue oak leaves and acorns that make up the National Trust symbol on maps of England and Wales but did you know that the National Trust for Scotland has its own dark purple map symbol that includes the Saltire (Scotland’s national flag).

On the map above you can see the National Trust for Scotland map symbol just east of the M9. This is the location of the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre (spot the blue line of Bannock Burn running below it).

For an adventure by train, the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre is just two miles from Stirling train station.

2. Historic Environment Scotland

Copyright Ordnance Survey 2024

Historic Environment Scotland, also known as Historic Scotland, look after historic places, providing public access and education in a similar way to the National Trust for Scotland.

If you spot a blue church-like symbol (like the one just east of Dumbarton Castle above) while you’re out exploring, you’re probably near an interesting location or building. The Calanais Standing Stones on Lewis and Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh are examples of Historic Scotland locations.

3. Scotland’s Great Trails

Copyright Ordnance Survey 2024

England, Wales and Scotland all have their own National Trails. There are plenty of Recreational Routes marked on Ordnance Survey maps by distinctive lines of green diamonds but National Trails in England and Wales are special and have an additional green acorn symbol.

In Scotland these routes are called Scotland’s Great Trails.

And are marked on the map with a green thistle symbol. On the map snippet above you can see one of Scotland’s most popular hiking routes, the West Highland Way marked with green diamonds and a thistle.

The West Highland Way is accessible by train from its start at Milngavie to its end at Fort William. Perhaps the UK’s ultimate station to station walk.

4. Scottish Ski Resorts

Copyright Ordnance Survey, 2024

You won’t be surprised to hear Scotland has the only natural ski resorts in the UK. There are five altogether at Glenshee, Lecht, the Nevis Range, Glencoe Mountain and Cairngorm Mountain. Some of them, for example the Nevis Range, also offer summertime uplift for mountain bikes and walkers.

Even if you don’t ski, snow resorts are fun to visit.

Ski resorts are supported by systems of ski tows, railways and sometimes gondolas. You’ll see these if you’re walking in the area and it can be useful for navigation if you can pinpoint them on the map.

On the map above, you can see the Cairngorm Mountain Funicular Railway and the resort’s ski tows. The Railway is currently closed for essential maintenance (October 2024) but it’s worth noting that, for conservation reasons, people who travel up that way are not allowed to exit onto the mountain from Ptarmigan Station at the top.

In other words, if you want to climb Cairn Gorm, you’ll have to walk or cycle up from one of the car parks.

I’ve walked up twice. Once in the snow. The plateau is definitely worth the effort.

The Cairngorm ski resort is accessible by train to Aviemore and then by bus.

5. Castles in Scotland

Why does Scotland have so many castles? And why are so many of them in stunning scenic locations?

You only have to look into Scotland’s history to find the answer to that. All that defending, rebelling and revolting required defensive structures. Those were bloody times but we reap the benefits of these amazing buildings today.

Of course, Scotland isn’t the only country in Great Britain to have needed defences; the Ordnance Survey map symbol for a castle is the same in England, Wales and Scotland.

Eilean Donan, Fi Darby

Eilean Donan is perhaps the most photographed castles in Scotland but note the V (visitor centre) and P (parking) symbols on the map below. Eilean Donan is very popular and really won’t give you the remote experience you’ve seen on Instagram or in the Highlander movie.

Copyright Ordnance Survey, 2024

The blue castle symbol is also the symbol used for a fort.

Unless the fort is a broch! Brochs are wide round towers that may or may not have been used for defence.

And in some areas of Scotland, your tower/castle/ruin might well be a dun. Just like a broch but with a different name.

   

Brochs and duns have different map symbols to castles. You’ll see their respective words in an old-fashioned font. (The font denotes a non-Roman historic site).

Interestingly, in English place names, Brock (with a k) means badger. As far as I know there isn’t a map symbol for badger.

Map reading isn’t just for big adventures

Being able to read a map and use a compass is important when you want to get to the UK’s wilder, more remote places, but map reading can be for smaller adventures too.

Whether I’m on a train adventure or in our campervan, I use a map all the time to help me spot interesting things to visit, fun shorter walks or even campsites.

I like using paper maps and have a big collection of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps but wherever I am in England, Wales or Scotland I can also access these detailed and accurate maps on my phone using the OS Maps app.

Wherever I am.

How to plan a walking route on the OS Maps app.

I hope these symbols help you explore Scotland next time you’re lucky enough to be there.

Watch out for those brochs!!

 

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