Picturesque parts of scotland

phildaintith

phildaintith

Suspended / Banned
Messages
325
Name
phil
Edit My Images
No
Well, i've just realized i still have 6 and a half weeks holiday left at work so got booking today! got 12 days off at the beginning of October so i guess its time to start planning a photography trip...

I've never really ventured past the lake district but quite fancy exploring a bit of Scotland for a few days.

Can you suggest any general areas that are worth checking out as a starting point. Quite into the landscape stuff at the moment so big mountains, big views, lakes/tarns/locks will tick the boxes for me. (hiking is no issue)

Not quite sure how deep to venture but sleeping in the car/tent for a few of those nights are not an issue if its remote...

whats the weather like that time of year around those parts too? much chance of snow on the caps of mountains? - i remember sleeping in the car in the lake district last winter, woke up with a nice sheet of snow over the car and the doors had frozen shut! :cuckoo:



*mods, i've just realised i've posted this in the wrong section*
 
Last edited:
I will be up near Loch Awe at the beginning of October.

Same time last year there were some very hefty frosts but no snow. (doesn't mean there won't be this year though!)

Skye, Cairngorms and the Highlands will all have what you are looking for with plenty of scope for exploring. Kintyre peninsular is good with views across to islands and don't forget about seascapes too.Up the west coast and the top can be wild!


Heather
 
West Highlands for the more dramatic scenery, Sky, Cairngorms is beautiful and there is a wildlife centre with free roaming polar bears, Mull, Findorn I could go on all day its a stunning country and dont forget the cities some excellent castles, One of my favorite Eileen donan near Lochalsh
 
I have been in a blizzard at Glen Afric in June, and I was caught in snow at Glencoe in August.
Normally it doesn't snow in Scotland in July :)
The weather is changeable, you never really know what it is going to be like. So on a serious note, if you are walking in the hills, you must be prepared for bad weather.
The midges should be finished at that time of year, as the first frosts should have occurred.
 
There is a lot of amazing scenery in many parts of Scotland so I'll reply about the parts I know and love.

Anywhere north and west of the Great Glen is IMO, pretty special. Given that you are going in October and the weather could be rough (it may not be of course; I have had T shirt weather in February) I suggest somewhere like Torridon, Applecross, Gairloch or Ullapool.

I'm suggesting this because although these are all on the west coast and that is where most, if not, all the bad weather comes from, you are not that far away from the east coast at, or around Inverness, (then you are not too far from the Cairngorms) and there is often a big difference between in weather in the west and the east.

The distances from Inverness are - Ullapool 55 miles, Gairloch 69, Applecross 78 and Torridon 59. These may seem a fair bit but are much shorter than any west to east crossing anywhere north of Edinburgh.

If you are happy at doing the miles then the route suggested in this thread is a good one.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=495494

Fort William, Invergarry, Loch Carron, over the Pass of the Cattle to Applecross and the coast route northwards to Torridon, Kinlochewe, Gairloch, Ullapool. It is a long journey but with spectacular scenery.

My post in the thread above mentions a few camp sites. It you are thinking of using a site it would be a good idea to check first. Some may have closed for the season by October. If you want to do a overnight stop by the side of the road you will be OK. It is less common than it used to be but I still see odd car/camervan/tent tucked in a quite spot and as long as you don't stay for a number of nights in the same place there will be no problem.

The weather could be anything from 24hour+ of rain to brilliant sunshine and surprising mild. You mentioned hiking so I guess you are well prepared. The weather is so changeable that it is useful to be ready to grab every opportunity.

The chances of seeing very much snow on the tops in October are slim. There was a little snow on the central highlands in June but it was dwindling then and July was a warm month in Scotland. The weather could turn and highest hills may get a sprinkling but the earliest I've seen snow on hills in the west is November.

Hope you enjoy your trip.


Dave

BTW Have a look at this excellent site for suggestions of walks - every thing from gentle strolls to mountains http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/
 
Last edited:
Got to agree with almost everything already said, West coast is special. I've just come back from Isle of Mull, gorgeous island, although I didn't get much good weather I thoroughly enjoyed it. I regularly do the Applecross/Torridon /Gairloch drive and always enjoy it. Views are fantastic. Some on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/madmackem/

Enjoy your holiday!
 
Agree with those saying the West Coast and Skye, Mull, etc. If you're feeling adventurous the Outer Hebrides are brilliant and not as commonly photographed as some of the other areas on the Mainland. It'll probably be cold, but as mentioned above at least midge season will be over!

Have a brilliant time!

M
 
mark2002 said:
West Highlands for the more dramatic scenery, Sky, Cairngorms is beautiful and there is a wildlife centre with free roaming polar bears, Mull, Findorn I could go on all day its a stunning country and dont forget the cities some excellent castles, One of my favorite Eileen donan near Lochalsh
Click to expand...

Eilean Donan is probably the most photographed, and picturesque, castle in Scotland after Edinburgh and, possibly, Stirling. You do know that it was destroyed by the Royal Navy and government troops in 1719, and rebuilt in the C20th though?
 
phildaintith said:
thanks everyone, been having a quick search on the web/google earth round isle of skye which is looking like a good candidate at the moment,
Click to expand...

I you get a choice dont go over on the bridge use the ferry a few miles south, the eagles do a hunting show down there within camera reach of the ferry
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top