Explore Scotland, CT
Scotland at a Glance
Part of Windham County
If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Scotland this is the complete guide to all the hidden springs, waterfalls, and history it has to offer.
The least populated town of the Quiet Corner, this rural area has five hikes with 11.5 miles of trails with some unique sites. Unfortunately no boating areas and not much for fishing or local stores to explore.
My Highlights
- The spring at Rock Spring
- Short hidden gem hike at Talbot WMA
- The flute music stand at Mohegan State Forest
Hiking
Town Parks
- None
Land Trust
- Joshua’s Trust
- Pappenheimer Preserve –★★– 1.5 miles – Old logging roads form a rough loop next to the Mohegan State Forest
- Joshua’s Trust
Blue Blaze
- None
State Parks / Forest
- Mohegan State Forest –★– 3 miles – Largely and out and back rough access road, the forest is more for hunting than hiking
- James V. Spignesi, Jr. Wildlife Management Area –★– 1 mile – Access road down to old fields, mainly for hunting
- Talbot Wildlife Management Area –★★– 3 miles – A bit of a hidden gem with a loop trail and views of Beaver and Merrick Brooks
The Rest
- The Nature Conservancy
- Rock Spring Preserve –★★★– 3 miles – An old “Indian spring”, an overlook, and views of the Little River though trails can be rough seasonally
- The Nature Conservancy
Boating/Fishing
- None
N/A
In 1700 Isaac Magoon purchased 1,950 acres and named the area for his native Scotland, he settled in the area in 1706. The town was granted a charter as an ecclesiastical society in 1732 but wasn’t incorporated as a town until May 1857 making it the 158th oldest town in the state. The land for the town was taken from Windham.
Scotland was once the locale for many small mills, especially along Merrick Brook, which runs through the village and still has the remains of dams along its banks. Dairy farming has also figured strongly in its history.
The town is home to the birthplace of one of the Founding Fathers, Samuel Huntington, the homestead is located on Route 14 near the center of town.
