Scotland!

ThOnda

I am heading to Scotland for a week next month, with my own means of transport. I would appreciate any suggestions what places to visit and to see. I prefer outdoors, landscape, countryside, villages, castles, ruins and a little of military memorabilia. I would like to spend as little time in cities as possible. If you could recommend even which road is remarkable for the scenery, that would be fantastic.

Thank you in advance for any tips.

bovril

A week is too little time in that beautiful country!!

A place called Sterling is supposed to be very pretty. The day I went it was very foggy and I could not see anything. There are supposed to be some very nice round towers and a castle.

I went on a long weekend trip to the Isle of Mull a few years back. We drove from Edinburgh to the town on the coast (can't remember the name) and got the car ferry to Mull. Mull is a beautiful island and the drive there is amazing too. I cannot remember the road but it would have been the most direct route from Edinburgh to the ferry. There are proper mountains in Scotland (not like the silly little ones you see most of the time here).

I have been to Edinburgh too many times to count. It is a beautiful city and worth a stop off if you have the time.

Paulw

The Isle of Skye is well worth a visit. The whole drive up to it is stunning too, with plenty of places to stop off for photos.

Dara Robinson

This road is great. I drove it on my motorbike during the summer a few years ago. Great views, peaceful and a nice road. You are winding around the side of the "loch" popping in and out of trees. There is some kind of castle (not a great photo but u get the idea) on the other side peaking out of the trees, looks amazing.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=A86&daddr=A86&hl=en&geocode=FbiKZAMdqni6_w%3BFS5fZQMdNr28_w&mra=ls&sll=56.962947,-4.43985&sspn=0.416274,1.455688&ie=UTF8&z=12

I have been told that these areas are all amazing
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=A861&daddr=56.686785,-5.558395+to:A830&hl=en&geocode=FcaRYwMdOGCu_w%3B%3BFfbjYwMdyISp_w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&sll=56.690179,-5.502777&sspn=0.209658,0.727844&ie=UTF8&ll=56.805766,-5.488358&spn=0.209014,0.727844&z=11
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=A87&daddr=57.439037,-6.569824+to:A855+to:A851&hl=en&geocode=FQQbagMdMgqr_w%3B%3BFUEocAMdV0Sf_w%3BFUzRZgMdAAqm_w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1,2&sll=57.330969,-5.611267&sspn=0.824316,2.911377&ie=UTF8&z=9

This is lovely place also if you are driving by
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=56.540378,-3.526011&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&geocode=%3BFcbNXgMdJxfK_w&mra=mi&mrsp=0,1&sz=14&sll=56.545006,-3.517685&sspn=0.026308,0.090981&ie=UTF8&z=14

And this is also a very nice road
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Station+Rd&daddr=57.060225,-3.072739&hl=en&geocode=FY41YQMd5gLH_w%3B&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=11&sll=57.093365,-2.980042&sspn=0.207408,0.727844&ie=UTF8&ll=56.71845,-3.453827&spn=0.209501,0.727844&z=11

Fajitas!

Find a Scotish woman with a thick accent, and get her to repeatedly pronounce 'Erection'. Hilarious.

Failing that, Bandeath Stores is near Stirling, Loch Lomond is pretty epic too.

rahtkennades

Yeah, agreed, Loch Lomond is beautiful. If you have time to walk up Ben Lomond (a few hours, stiff enough trail), it's well worth it for the view.
There should still be plenty of snow on the Cairngorms next month? Should make some nice views.

Haven't we got a scottish resident here?

elven

*clears throat*

ahem.

I will not be repeating that word for your amusement!

Thonda whereabouts are you going? If you're getting the ferry to stranraer head up towards glasgow anyway, not much down ayrshire way...

Off the top of my head - fort william (town next to Ben Nevis - highest mountain in the UK) where you can drive up one side to inverness and back down the other, or a bit less north is stirling-callander then the queen elizabeth forest park and loch katrine are gorgeous, loch lomond is lovely but if you're willing to go further you've got skye, arran (islands off the west coast) and then the drive up the west coast to ullapool and all around there is absolutely amazing. It's like donegal - but better

And away way up but my absolute favourite place on this earth is Glen Affric. I have no words.

If you want any more detailed suggestions drop me an email. if you have an idea of which area you want to concentrate on i might know some hidden gems there

elven

p.s.

I found a random pic... gives you an idea...

ThOnda

The plan is: me, my little sister, my big camera, ferry from Belfast, car and six days in Scotland.
Thank you all so far for all recommendations. I have two weeks left to plan it and also to book accommodation.

Fajitas!

elven wrote: »

*clears throat*

ahem.

I will not be repeating that word for your amusement!

What about 'scrotum'?

/inside jokes

Panhour

I did a photography course a while ago arround Glenco and Fort William, fabulous scenery, I can give you the shot locations if you're going to be in the area.

Dara Robinson

I have to agree with Fort William, very nice town. Its at a lake and the bottom of Ben Nevis. Great spot.

You could also try Galloway Forest park (not far from Stranraer)

You could also do something along these lines, I have taken that road and its very nice. I always try and stay off motorways where I can avoid it

ThOnda

Thank you all so far. Keep posting, please, I would like to start planning at the weekend.

elven

Dara Robinson wrote: »

I have to agree with Fort William, very nice town. Its at a lake and the bottom of Ben Nevis. Great spot.

ahem. There are only lochs in scotland, bar one lake that some englishman had the nerve to name. Grr.

Camac Hibs

Just basically travel as far north west as you can - Isle of Skye and especially Torridon are the most spectacular areas

Dara Robinson

elven wrote: »

ahem. There are only lochs in scotland, bar one lake that some englishman had the nerve to name. Grr.

lol


.... so a loch then.... :rolleyes:



/me runs away

ThOnda

Any further suggestions?
The pass to Applecross looks interesting. I am getting inspiration from Billy Connolly so far.

Panhour

Have a look at
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
They have a Scottish photographers section which is useful to get a ideas of shots / best locations etc.

ThOnda

Thank you all for suggestions. I am glad to be back - 2400km, 3600 snaps.

Eirebear

Aw dammit, sorry Thonda i didnt see this thread. I could have given you plenty of ideas..even bought you a beer!

Did you have a good trip?

ThOnda

Driver's heaven, photography paradise and I have found new love there - haggis! Yes, I have enjoyed the trip

Eirebear

ThOnda wrote: »

Driver's heaven, photography paradise and I have found new love there - haggis! Yes, I have enjoyed the trip

You did catch it yourself i hope?!



Cant wait to see your shots.

StonedParadoX

if your interested in checking out an abandoned bunker in edinborgh .. its on perstorphine hill .. next to the Carpark on the quarry side

****en fantastic place

Eirebear

StonedParadoX wrote: »

if your interested in checking out an abandoned bunker in edinborgh .. its on perstorphine hill .. next to the Carpark on the quarry side

****en fantastic place

You mean Corstorphine Hill i take it?

Whereabouts?....might be interesting.

K09

Dara Robinson wrote: »

I have to agree with Fort William, very nice town. Its at a lake and the bottom of Ben Nevis. Great spot.

Sorry but the town of Fort William is pretty crap. Beautiful around it with Ben Nevis and fantastic scenery but the town was so disappointing. No real atmosphere around and found it a little dilapidated.
I was there last September.