Highlands trip - May 2010 - genuine thread

[john185k]

Hi guys,

This is a genuine thread after getting interest the lst time I mentioned it.

My proposal is for a trup to the Scottish Highlands in May this year, incorporating great driving, great food, and great photography (be it nature, landscape, macro or automotive.)

I am willing to organise this however am looking to see if it is worthwhile at this point in time.

My initial suggestions would be a 4 day, three night trip, taking in the wonders of Argyl and Bute, Skye and Wester Ross.

Thoughts?

Regards

John

[stigmundfreud]

may, I am up for this. It may mean missing the birth of my 1st born but photography is photography

[...Mole...]

dunno if i could manage 4 days off work in may, i could maybe tag along a few days though.

[Dogsey]

stigmundfreud said:

may, I am up for this. It may mean missing the birth of my 1st born but gonads are over rated anyway.

EFA.

[baz7175]

lol, I'm up on Skye with Mrs Baz and both the families

[stigmundfreud]

Dogsey said:

stigmundfreud said:

may, I am up for this. It may mean missing the birth of my 1st born but gonads are over rated anyway.

EFA.

gonads got me into this mess

[Major Bloodnok]

I'm interested, but it would have to fit in with college commitments (i.e. not Weds, Thurs or Fri).

[GetCarter]

Assuming you're coming this way, assuming there are a few of you and assuming you don't want to spend a fortune on posh hotels... can I recommend either of these as a stopover:

http://www.torridon.com/inn/
http://www.applecross.uk.com/inn/

[chrisj_abz]

if im not offshore then i'd be very interested!

[nonuts]

GetCarter said:

http://www.applecross.uk.com/inn/

Was lovely, and landlord was a good laugh when we were there last year. Can't recommend enough

[GetCarter]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I assume you mean the Torridon Inn (next to the hotel)? Not sure what they charge these days, but IIRC it's about 1/3 the cost of the hotel. Bear in mind, if you stay B&B in the posh bit, you can eat in the Inn (which saves a lot of cash, but it's just pub grub instead of 'fine dining').

Ullapool has quite a lot of music going on around Easter, but if you want to get out, about 15 miles north ... head for Lochinver - there is a 'circular loop' there which has some nice beaches and VERY pretty scenery ... http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=ullapo&countr... Lochinver, Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland, IV27 4

or if you are into this sort of thing... just south of Ullapool are Inverewe Gardens http://www.gardens-scotland.co.uk/inverewe.html

[havoc]

Tempting - Becs and I are talking about taking the NSX up to Scotland this year, and from what Steve's said before, May's probably the best time. Not sure she'd be up for a few days just photographing, but if we can coincide the weekend we'll tag-along for at least a day with people...

[Rob13]

I would love to go, but I've got my stag in May followed by wedding first weekend in June. I'm not sure if I'd have the gonads to risk it. If I did though, I'd probably make a late call, travel on the bike and meet you at the destination.

[sinizter]

Registering possible interest - A lot of things would have to come together before I can confirm. But would like to know more details, etc.

[GetCarter]

I meant to mention... if you can, avoid the last week of May (Whitsun) it's really busy. First three weeks, the place is empty.

May:

[scotal]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Did you fly up and hire a car Tonks? Or drive up?

[GetCarter]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Flybe much less crowded as well. Sleazyjet always packed.

[//dean]

John,

Are you able to put me down as a 'maybe'? I would love, love, love to do this, but the GF and I are planning a trip up to visit reli's, so it might not work out

Cheers

[john185k]

Day 1

Ok what I had initially thought (but any sensible suggestions are MORE than welcome,) is possibly starting off just above Glasgow znc Edinburgh on a Thursday lunch time, near to both airports and therefore travelling in two convoys for people travelling from afar... Other convoy points north of this could also be decided upon.

- Thereafter travelling the 2 hour (leisurely pace) drive to Tyndrum, just above Crianlarich, where there are ample facilities for fuel, refreshments and a first slice of the highlands.

- Take the 30 minute journey to Rannoch Moor: 1-2 hours (subject to conditions)

- Glen Etive/Buachaille Etive Mor/Glencoe as the light starts to fade

Spend the night in Ballachulish/kinlochleven area.



Day 2

- Up for breakfast then a 20 minute jaunt to Fort William for fuel/refreshments

- Continue the drive to 5 sisters of Kintail and then onto Kyle of Lochalsh, Eilean Donan Castle for something to eat near the skye bridge.

- Beast it round the south side of Skye, (need peoples opinions on Skye)



- Sunset at Elgol



Finish near Broadford in Skye

Thats it so far... lol

[GetCarter]

Apart from the Cuillin Hills I'm not a fan of Skye. The first 30 mins after the bridge is a disaster area (miles and miles of B&Bs), and apart from the west and north the lack of trees and plethora of pylons just doesn't do it for me. (Road surface is crap too)

I would turn right 6 miles before Kyle (3 miles after the castle), stop over in Applecross and then travel further up the coast. The road past Loch Marie and up towards Ullapool is stunning.

But hey... I know a lot of people like Skye, so I'll shut up (plus, I'm not even on the trip!)