NW Scotland - Must visit places

v8moneypit

v8moneypit

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We are due to stay at the in-laws holiday home at Mellon Udrigle in June. There are a couple of nice bays on the peninsular, but is there anywhere I should really be visiting in that area?
 
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In the 'immediate' vicinity (choose your words carefully when there are so few roads!).

The road up the West shore of Loch Ewe is worth exploring.
Go round to Ullapool and through into Coigach/Inverpolly. A great day out.
Also, south via Poolewe and Gairloch to the shores of Loch Maree and from there via Kinlochewe to Strath Torridon. Another great day out
 
Torridon and Applecross, a couple of hours drive away due to the roads but lovely places, can provide some very dramatic scenery when the light is right!
 
Lucky man. Echo all of those above. Early morning in Torridon can be amazing. If it's looks like a sunset is on the cards (or just anway) then try RedPoint http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redpoint. The drive south looking at the Fisherfield forest and Torridon mountain ranges is spectacular. Slioch above Lock Maree begs for a shot....er....just about anywhere!
 
Our coffee shop ... lol
were in the Cairngorms :lol:
 
I'd agree with the suggestions here, also have a look at the Walkhighlands site -

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/

There are lots of walks from a mile or so to full day mountain trips. There are a couple of short ones right on your doorstep at Mellon Udrigle

From Gairloch there are wildlife boat trips where sightings of porpoises, dolphins and minke whales are common.

If you go north from Mellon Udrigle stop off at the Corrieshalloch gorge on the way to Ullapool.

Be prepared for big distances, the round trip to Loch Maree, Torridon and Applecross (and Pass of the Cattle) or to Ullapool and Inverpolly are about 150 miles each, but very well worth the effort and in June there is plenty of daylight.

If you don't have them I'd suggest getting the 1:50,000 OS maps of the areas and bring the insect repellent. The DEET based repellents are more effective, but fairly severe - numbing the lips and melting plastics. A bit less effective but far more pleasant is Avon Skin so Soft.

Dave
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have a look through them. We are only there for a week (and I do have to put some 'family time' in, not just photography!) so I'll have to pick a few to try out. I do so hope we get some nice, or interesting weather :)

The house is literally at the edge of the beach facing east, so I feel a few early mornings coming on :D
 
I agree Chris, Skin so Soft is good, and I'd still rather use it than the others which sometime make me feel I've suffered an chemical attack.

However, being a temporary host to various beasties is just something that happens in the Highlands - don't know how many midges, clegs and ticks I've helped over the years:D

Dave
 
Firemore beach on the road from Poolewe to Cove is very photogenic and worth a look.
There is a track down to Loch Maree shoreline at Slattadale that's not too far.
By June the midges will be bad on still days and especially early morning or late evening (I think they know about the Golden Hour!). There are midge jackets available that have a built in hood and are excellent. I much prefer them to potions and lotions. DO NOT underestimate the wee midgies, they can ruin an outing.
 
Thanks again.

I'll have far too many to get to in a week, but I'll check them out as best I can in advance and pick a few.

Thanks for the advice about the bugs. I don't generally seem to attract them, but I'll heed your advice and get something sorted for my early morning outings :thumbs:

Edit:
Just looked up the sunrise times for June in Scotland.... I'll need an alarm clock for getting out by 04.30!
 
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v8moneypit said:
Thanks for the advice about the bugs. I don't generally seem to attract them
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Such charming innocence :lol:

Seriously, the midge is merciless and doesn't discriminate. It can turn the most stoic person into a ranting, raving dervish and render the most idyllic, heartstopping experiences endless torture. Wars would end tomorrow if Scotland found a way of bottling it's enmity and selling it as strategic arms. It is evidence incarnate that Satan himself twiddled with God's designs for creation.

Take a midge hood, light cotton gloves, DEET and Skin-so-soft .... also napalm, flamethrower, Agent Orange, DDT ...... etc

You get the picture ;)
 
Hehe, Chris. Well put, they are a breed apart.

Agree about Redpoint Fishing Station beach, spent quite a few perfect days then and walking along to the now, sadly closed, Craig YH where you could get a cup of tea from the volunteer warden during the summer.

Dave
 
Tringa said:
Agree about Redpoint Fishing Station beach, spent quite a few perfect days then and walking along to the now, sadly closed, Craig YH where you could get a cup of tea from the volunteer warden during the summer.
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A fabulous walk between the two places. There's a couple who live in Diabaig who run a small fishing business who used to run the hostel. Can't remember thier names now but they have a great story of how they used to regularly carry thier kitchen table the four miles or so from the end of the road at Diabaig to the hostel each year when it re-opened in spring :lol:

A lovely area, indeed. Must go back soon.
 
"Thanks for the advice about the bugs. I don't generally seem to attract them"

:lol: It's the way you tell em. The Scottish Midgie is not a bug. It is a ferocious creature that attacks in swarms. You can be lucky or unlucky. I was in Scotland in 2011 in July. In Ullapool I could lie on the grass into late evening sipping wine. 2 Days later in Sky an entire camp site was emptied in one night. It was like watching a defeated army after a battle.
 
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It's the way the little bu***rs get in your eyes, nose and ears that drives me nuts!
 
ChrisGilbert said:
Such charming innocence :lol:

Seriously, the midge is merciless and doesn't discriminate. It can turn the most stoic person into a ranting, raving dervish and render the most idyllic, heartstopping experiences endless torture. Wars would end tomorrow if Scotland found a way of bottling it's enmity and selling it as strategic arms. It is evidence incarnate that Satan himself twiddled with God's designs for creation.

Take a midge hood, light cotton gloves, DEET and Skin-so-soft .... also napalm, flamethrower, Agent Orange, DDT ...... etc

You get the picture ;)
Click to expand...

Dont beat about the bush, tell him what they are really like :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Les :D
 
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