Scotland calling - location tips please

[Kaye Leggett]

I am heading up to the West Coast of Scotland next week...basically up the M6 and turning left when we get to Gretna Green. Then following the coast until we get to the Arran Ferry, crossing to Arran and then across to the Mull of Kintyre before heading North through the highlands to Skye and from there to Harris and Lewis. Back to Ullapool and then further North, along the North Coast before heading South along the East Coast, through the 'winelands'

So my question is to all you lovely Scots, and I know there are a few of you, can you give me any tips of places not to miss with my camera in tow please ?

I do walking and cycling, but not climbing and we're in a motorhome, so can pretty much stop anywhere any time of day/night. All being well we have around 6 weeks to meander. I know we'll find loads of beautiful places, but sometimes a bit of local knowledge goes a very long way.

[Cantab]

I'll leap in first even though my comments are based solely on a visit with a Scottish friend to my ancestral homeland close to 40 years ago. There are a number of derelict castles along the west coast where Ardrossan is located. There are some truly wonderful sandy beaches on the west coast of Benbecula. Unfortunately all I know of Harris is a very brief stop at Tarbert on the ferry ride back to Skye from North Uist. Hopefully some of the Scots on CiC will now jump in with much better information than mine!

[ST1]

Kaye have a look at this link whilst the link is only covering the Western area he probably has others for the rest of Scotland. Just something for you to read whilst waiting for our Scottish members to respond. It sound like a great trip you have planned. Don't forget your midge deterrent :-)
http://www.f22.org.uk/Articles/LazyP...W-Scotland.htm

[Donald]

So my question is to all you lovely Scots, and I know there are a few of you, can you give me any tips of places not to miss with my camera in tow please ?

Could go on forever about what to do, where to go, but ................

If there's one thing I would implore you to do it is (are you okay on single track roads with your motorhome?):-

• When you get to Ullapool and are planning to head north, go for just under 10 miles. Turn left at the junction for Achiltibuie. You are now heading into the Coigach peninsula (my gallery is here)
• Now, you might want to go right on to Achiltibuie, to see it. There's the most wonderful cafe/coffee shop with all home baking. But the real reason for my suggesting this is.....
• On the way to Achiltibuie on that road - After about 8.5 miles there is road turns up the hill to the right. It's signposted 'Inverkirkaig/Lochinver'. That is a spectacular 12 miles of road to Lochinver. At Inverkirkcaig, there's is the glorious Achins Bookshop and Cafe. When we were there in September last year, the owner had it up for sale as he was wanting to retire. Don't know if it's sold yet.
• And base yourself in or around Lochinver. You're now in Assynt. Again, a gallery of mine is here.
• The 'must do' journey when at Lochinver has got to be around the North Assynt Estate. Take the B869 signposted Achmelvich/Clachtoll/Stoer//Drumbeg. Also read a bit about the buyout of the North Assynt Estate by the crofters who live on the land. A starting point could be this.
• If you can follow your nose out to Stoerhead Lighthouse (http://www.dmackimages.org/The-Photo...-2/i-WdPG6FL/A), you'll meet Leigh who runs the Wee Blue Tea Van right out at the point. It is off that point that I will be going out in a boat on 14th May to scatter my late wife's ashes in The Minch off the lighthouse. It's a place that we loved and I still do.

Hope some of that helps

[TonyW]

I have travelled much of the route you plan but some years ago and not all at once. We got as far north as Lochinver. If you go from the Mull of Kintyre to Campbeltown up the east coast you pass by Feochaig where my grandfather was born. His house has been pulled down but I would still like to see a picture of it.

There are many good photo opportunities and others will know more about them than I do. We stayed in a B&B on the north west coast of Lewis. The hosts spoke Gaelic as their first language, which was the nicest sounding speech I have ever heard even though I did not understand a word. The other thing I remembered about it was that when the washing was hung on the line, the westerly wind blew it horizontal and it was dry in half an hour.

[Kaye Leggett]

Thank you all for your tips and thoughts. Sadly due to a family bereavement we will not get away next week but hope to leave later in the month - the 6 week trip will be cut into probably a 4 week one - but that just leaves a good excuse to go again....

Donaly I remember the B869 - we stayed in Drumbeg a few years ago in the hotel - a very welcoming place even if it looks a little odd from the outside. It is somewhere we want to visit again, so thank you for the very specific tips. And I'll try and take some wonderful images to share with you.

[Tringa]

Sorry to hear of your bereavement, Kaye.

That is quite a trip. I reckon around 1400 -1500 miles, excluding the ferries.

Why on Skye have a look at the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. The first is on the east coast of Skye about 8 miles north of Portree, the second just off the minor road that connects Broaig to Uig (which as you are going to Harris you will be going to anyway). Both are interesting geographical features and could be good for sunrise shots, though at this time of year it will need an early start.

Neist Point on the west coast could also provide some good shots at the end of the day.

A number of beaches on Harris and Lewis are among the best you will find anywhere, eg Horgabost, Luskentyre and Valtos

Donald mentioned the road to Achtilbiue. About 5 miles or so after the turn off from the A835 there is a car park to the south of Stac Pollaidh. It is a small hill but is an easy walk to a brilliant view.

As you say your motorhome allows you to stop anywhere but if you fancied a site now and again the following sites are worth looking at -

Ardmair ( http://www.ardmair.com/ ), about 8 miles north of Ullapool is excellent.

The cliff top site at Durness ( http://www.sangosands.com/ ) is also very good, as is the site at

Dunbeath ( http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/de...asp?revid=3892 ) on the east coast.


Dave

[Kaye Leggett]

Dave - thanks for the tips, I am really looking forward to this trip and the mention of these places makes me more so.