15 days in the UK in August??

ndwgolf

ndwgolf

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Neil Williams
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Planning a trip with my wife to the UK in August. We plan to drive from Birmingham to Whitby, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Inverness, Dourness, Skye, Fort William Oban, Perth, Lake District and back to Birmingham drop the car off then back home to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
Apart from showing my wife the major tourist’s attractions on the way, I am hoping to get some nice landscape and maybe some bird shots while traveling around Scotland (if the weather is nice to us)

Just wondered if anyone has any “Must See” locations that they recommend; and if so I will add those to out flexible itinerary. (we will be back in the UK for 15 days)??
 
As a “Brummie” (a person from Birmingham) would say.

“Yowl want moowa than toow wicks ta tek piktchus o Brummagem, let aloon all them utha plerces.”

Translation.
"You will need more than two weeks to photograph Birmingham, let alone elsewhere."

Seriously, the places you have listed are just brimming with photo opportunities; you will be spoilt for choice. You lucky so and so.
The last time I did a trip like that was with film, it cost a fortune.

Rhodese.
 
One problem you may have is finding accommodation in Edinburgh during August.
The Festival and Fringe will be on - the largest in the world- and finding a place to stay can be tricky! Last year there were 24000 performers and some 2 million visitors during the festival.
i would book now :)
 
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I can understand that if you are travelling so far just to get to the UK, you want to pack a lot in, but that is a huge agenda, I'd guess an average of about 100 miles a day. However, if you are happy to do it then here are a few places

Durham - you will be passing close on the way from Whitby to Newcastle - has a superb cathedral in a great setting.

While at Inverness you won't be far from the Black Isle and at the right tide dolphin watching from the shore is excellent. http://www.scotlandinfo.eu/chanonry-point-dolphins.html

Almost anywhere from Durness to Skye is spectacular but area of Assynt just north of Ullapool is worth exploring and further south, Torridon is great.

Hope things go well for your trip, think you may need another holiday to recover.

Dave
 
Short distance from Newcastle, Roman Wall, and Durham Cathedral, both world heritage sites. As mentioned Northumberland coast, Farne islands getting late for the birds but they will still be some.

Good site to check out for the different area`s you will be passing through for up to date bird info. http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=123
 
Thinking of taking
2 Nikon camera bodies
300mm f2.8
70/200mm
24/70mm
Fisheye
Leaving the Leica gear at home as I can't imagine getting much street photography in in the UK without getting attacked or abused :) :)
 
ndwgolf said:
Thinking of taking
2 Nikon camera bodies
300mm f2.8
70/200mm
24/70mm
Fisheye
Leaving the Leica gear at home as I can't imagine getting much street photography in in the UK without getting attacked or abused :) :)
Click to expand...


Scotland is a friendly place, and up North there's no-one there :)
Much like the outback in Australia- but green.
 
Skye- The Cuillins - fantastic mountain range if the weather is clear (or not if you want a moody atmosphere)

The Quiraing - North of the island - fantastic rock formations

Spean Bridge, near Fort William - The Commando Memorial - looks across towards Ben Nevis and its foothills which was there training grounds during WWII. best memorial in the UK IMHO.
 
mmm, that's not enough time Neil as you well know:D

Not convinced I'd give Whitby a glance to be honest- get to Scotland as quick as possible:D

mmmm, so where could I send you..:)

Depends what you want to do but( and in no particular order);

Edniburgh- Castle view, Princess street,view from Carlton Hill, Royal Mile etc . Don't believe anyone would mug you . There are so many cameras no one cares.

I would be getting myself to Glencoe and Buachille etive Mor and the Three Sisters (which is part of my icon). On way up to Skye, Eilean Donan castle is also very picturesque and the Skye ridge is great.

Basically the North West of Scotland- Torridon etc is very picturesque. Not totally convinced there is much in Perth- used to be the capital but not sure there is a great deal now that really drives a story. Opreys I guess are a feature.
 
One thing I would add is an adequate supply of smidge- assuming it works for you. keeps those pesky midges at bay:)
 
Dr O
I only have 15 days
3 in Solihull with mum
2 in Forfar with my Bairn
1 in Newcastle with my buddy
I agree the rest in Scotland so maybe like this
Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Forfar, Inverness, west coast Scotland, Birmingham and home
 
That doesn't sound too bad. There is certainly plenty to do in Edinburgh. From Forfar, I'd be getting myself on the A9 up to Inverness and then heading to Gairloch. So much scenery around there and the some of the best roads in the UK.

Shetland also good - especially for puffins but is a fair bit extra. I would probably stick to the mainland given circumstances .
 
Another vote for Durham cathedral, on a sunny day it's gorgeous inside with the stained glass windows and you would probably be allowed to climb the tower (they only open it in the summer) for £5 per person which you get a 360 degree view of the surrounding area for miles! But in terms of photography though they don't like people taking photos inside the cathedral, so you either have to be sneaky or just put the camera away and enjoy it. A bonus if you are a Potter fan, you are allowed to take photos at the cloisters where bits of Hogwarts were filmed :)

My comments might be a bit biased cos I live in Durham :lol:
 
Dr_O said:
That doesn't sound too bad. There is certainly plenty to do in Edinburgh. From Forfar, I'd be getting myself on the A9 up to Inverness and then heading to Gairloch. So much scenery around there and the some of the best roads in the UK.

Shetland also good - especially for puffins but is a fair bit extra. I would probably stick to the mainland given circumstances .
Click to expand...

Dont know if the OP has any interest in Puffins etc or just a suggestion from yourself, however FYI, if you are on the east coast of scotland the "isle of May" starting at this time of year is very good and not far from Forfar.

http://www.isleofmayferry.com/
 
Gazamonk said:
Dont know if the OP has any interest in Puffins etc or just a suggestion from yourself, however FYI, if you are on the east coast of scotland the "isle of May" starting at this time of year is very good and not far from Forfar.

http://www.isleofmayferry.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks Gary- I know Neil likes his birds- winged variety of course:naughty::D

I had forgotten about Isle of May having done some sea kayaking around Anstruther in the past when doing a bit of a tour
 
Gazamonk said:
Dont know if the OP has any interest in Puffins etc or just a suggestion from yourself, however FYI, if you are on the east coast of scotland the "isle of May" starting at this time of year is very good and not far from Forfar.

http://www.isleofmayferry.com/[/quote]
Been reading up on the Puffins on the Isle of May and it looks like they will all be gone when we arrive in early August............daam
Click to expand...
 
Yeah that's pretty much end of season for them. Sorry, never considered your dates when I posted. :(
 
View attachment 11415
OK Trip modified as per some recommendations from this forum and another forum.
1/. Forfar is a must (my daughter lives there)
2/. Anstruther (booked a day trip to the Isle of May to shoot Puffins (if there's any left) and anything else that moves or doesn’t move)
3/. Booked the day trip return steam train from Fort William to Mallaig
4/. Newcastle meeting a mate
The North of Scotland will be on an “if we have enough time basis” how much we can take in but hope to get all that is on this map
Will post pictures (book) when I get back
 
kendo1 said:
One problem you may have is finding accommodation in Edinburgh during August.
The Festival and Fringe will be on - the largest in the world- and finding a place to stay can be tricky! Last year there were 24000 performers and some 2 million visitors during the festival.
i would book now :)
Click to expand...
Booked alreay staying for one night.................I lived in Edinburgh for a wee whilly and my wife has been there once before so one night enough
 
Planning on driving 4 to 5 hours a day while north of Fort William (4 days) and stopping off to take pictures, eat etc etc another 6 hours........................Dinner a few beers and bed
 
Just one suggestion on your route: you're avoiding Glasgow, Loch Lomond etc. Maybe not deliberately, but I'd suggest Perth could be taken in on your way up to Inverness with a small route change. Fort William-Oban-Loch Lomond-Glasgow-Lakes would be more "obvious" and shorter but perhaps that's why you're not doing it?

FWIW, I think Glasgow is an amazing city to photograph - so much interesting architecture. With the motorway going straight through the centre it's very easy to get in and out of. It has a bad rep (like a lot of industrial cities) but I think it's a wonderful place and I'm not from these parts... I'd really urge you to consider it, especially as a counterpoint to all the wonderful landscape you'll be enjoying.
 
Also because of your route it willbe unforgivable if you dont shoot Eilean Donan Castle, dawn/dusk is best.
 
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