Scotland Scotland for Landscape photography (Accessible places)

[Alisonfd]

Looking to go to Scotland, most likely in the Summer for Landscape photography. Maybe some Astro stuff as well.

Walking is a bit of a problem, so places really need to be accessible by car or at the most only about 2 miles from the car.

Having a chance to see the Northern Lights is a plus but not a necessity as we'd rather go somewhere for awesome landscapes.

Does anyone have recommendations on where to go? and where to stay?

 

[Tringa]

There are so many place you'll be spoilt for choice.

Anywhere north and west of the Great Glen has some spectacular scenery, have a look at Glen Torridon, Applecross, Loch Maree, Gairloch, Ullapool, Assynt, for example, but I'm sure others will be along with other equally valid suggestions.

The Northern Lights depend on the state of the sun but during the summer the nights are so short in the north I don't think there will be much chance.

A couple of things to consider -

There can be a huge difference in the weather between the west and east coasts so it can be useful (especially if you have limited time) to be able to move from coast to coast. The distances between east and west can be large but around the level of Inverness the distance is comparatively small (Inverness to Gairloch is about 70 miles and Inverness to Ullapool is about 56 miles), so it can be relatively easy to avoid bad weather.

Scotland is a deceptively large country and it is very easy to spend too much time travelling.


Dave

 

[Alisonfd]

Thanks for the help Dave. I will check those places out.

 

[kendo1]

The distances might only be 50 to 70 miles, but there are no motorways up there. Travel time would be about an hour and a half to two hours for Inverness to Ullapool.
Pretty much anywhere north and west of Crianlarich is spectacular, and easily seen from the road or nearby.

 

[Tringa]

Fair point Ken. I forgot that someone unfamiliar with the roads (and the scenery) is likely to travel fairly slowly, but Inverness - Gairloch, and more so, Inverness - Ullapool are probably the quickest east to west routes north of Glasgow/Edinburgh.

Dave

 

[droj]

A little warning, Alison: http://www.ionalister.com/midge.htm

Worst in the west!

 

[SFTPhotography]

Have a look at my blog section at www.SFTphotography.co.uk

Page 3 has the most: http://www.sftphotography.co.uk/blog/page/3/

Most places are walkable within half a mile of the car.

Kilchurn castle, Lochan na h-Achlaise, The coupal falls in Glencoe, The view at Loch Etive, Glencoe Locan, Elgol beach, Sligachan bridge. All cliched and done to death, but good places with great views.

 

[Alisonfd]

Awesome thanks for the help everyone.

A little warning, Alison: http://www.ionalister.com/midge.htm

Worst in the west!

Oh god. I'm going to be stocking up on the repellent. Whenever there is something like a midge or mosquito around, I can guarantee I will be bitten. Japan had mosquito's spreading dengue fever last August, just before Shinjuku park was closed I was bitten there by a lot of them. By some miracle the ones biting me didn't carry dengue fever.

 

[SFTPhotography]

Midges are a pain in the high summer, but the scenery is epic. Long sleaves and trousers and you'll be fine. All these are a stones throw from where you can park.

Neist Point Skye

_DSC4131 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

Inveraray castle

_DSC2177 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

Coupall falls

_DSC0190 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

Rannoch Moor

_DSC1385 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr


Kilchurn castle

_DSC2860 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

Eilean Donan

_DSC2272 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

Elgol Beach

_DSC0340 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

Loch Tulla nr Inveroran

_DSC3567 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

 

[Tringa]

The effect of midges has to be experienced to be believed but there are repellents and midges are a small price to pay.

Also check out ticks. Although they can carry Lyme Disease (which can be nasty) I think the chances of catching it are slim. I've lost count of the number of ticks in Scotland that have attached themselves to me and I've suffered no ill effects. If you Google for info you'll find all the advice you need.

Dave

 

[Alisonfd]

Thanks for sharing them Steve, those are really nice photos and some really beautiful locations.

Dave, yeah ticks are a pain. Had a few on me over the years but luckily no Lyme disease yet. So will definitely be keeping an eye out for them.