Duncansby Stacks makes top 20 of best wild locations in UK

A Caithness sightseeing location has made the top 20 of a new list of "undiscovered gems" in the UK countryside.

Duncansby Stacks, near John O'Groats, came in at number 13 in a list compiled by the Mini car company which uncovered the "best wild locations that are undiscovered gems in the UK countryside".

Seven areas of natural beauty in Scotland made the top 20 overall. The uninhabited tidal island of Uyea in Shetland, Scotland is the UK’s best-hidden gem according to new research carried out by Mini. An additional six Scottish locations off the beaten track also rank in the overall top 20 including Duncansby Stacks in 13th place.

Sixteen months of travel restrictions have meant that for many, adventure has felt like a distant dream. As the UK lockdown has lifted and we tentatively venture further from home, wanderlust can truly return.

Google searches for "things to do near me" are up 250 per cent and rising. So, how can you plan big days out this summer with the family but avoid overcrowding at the usual beauty spots?

Mini sought to discover the best wild locations in the UK to visit. Over 100 nature-based locations across Britain were identified and judged against two sets of criteria to gauge both popularity and wildness. The average of these scores then determined the best wild, hidden gems of 2021.

The top 20 best wild wonders encompass something for every type of day out. From waterways to peaks and underground caves, across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Mini has created a new interactive tool that helps you find the best big days out nearest to your postcode. The one-stop-shop includes staycation ideas and hidden gems across the UK – www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/mini-news/big-days-out-index.html

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